Senior Associate, Public Safety Performance Project (Policy Analysis and Corrections Advocacy)

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Job location
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Street address: 
901 E Street NW
City: 
Washington
State: 
District of Columbia
ZIP: 
20004
Job type: 
Policy Development/Advocacy
Position Description: 

Overview

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and invigorate civic life.

We are an independent nonprofit organization – the sole beneficiary of seven individual trusts established between 1948 and 1979 by two sons and two daughters of Sun Oil Company founder Joseph N. Pew and his wife, Mary Anderson Pew.

Our work lays the foundation for effective policy solutions by informing and engaging citizens, linking diverse interests to pursue common cause and insisting on tangible results. Our projects encourage efficient, responsive governments – at the local, state, national and international levels – serving the best interests of the people. We partner with a diverse range of donors, public and private organizations and concerned citizens who share our interest in fact-based solutions and goal-driven investments to improve society.

With offices in Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Australia, Brussels and London, and with additional staff in other regions of the United States and around the globe, Pew provides an exciting learning environment and the opportunity to work with highly talented individuals. We are a dynamic, rapidly evolving organization that values creativity and innovative thinking and fosters strong teamwork with mutual respect.

State and Local Government Performance
State and local government performance, one of the seven program portfolios at The Pew Charitable Trusts, identifies and advances effective policy approaches that improve state and local government policy. SLGP researches emerging topics, develops data-driven reports and highlights innovative approaches to complex problems. SLGP initiatives currently focus on five areas: (1) positioning policymakers to make decisions that are in the best interest of state and local government’s long-term fiscal health; (2) making state and local government pension plans healthy and sustainable; (3) improving state and local government’s public safety performance; (4) modernizing the civil legal system; and (5) increasing access to effective oral health care.

SLGP makes use of the basic tools required to help explore and advance effective policies, regardless of the issue: credible, timely, and user-friendly research; assessments of public support for change; strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders, and the public; the capacity to bring together diverse perspectives and find common ground; and the ability to identify and apply approaches that have proven successful elsewhere.

SLGP is led by a vice president and two senior directors who provide oversight over select projects within the portfolio.

Public Safety Performance Project
The public safety performance Project (PSPP) was launched in 2006 as an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts. The project helps policy makers advance fiscally sound, data-driven policies and practices in criminal and juvenile sentencing and corrections that protect public safety, ensure accountability, and control costs. For more information about this project, visit www.pewpublicsafety.org.

Position Overview
Pew is seeking to hire a senior associate to focus on jail and pretrial detention policy, while supporting the entire spectrum of activity under the project by working closely with project leadership, government relations, and communications staff and other Pew colleagues.

The ideal candidate will have an educational and employment background in public policy or a related field, knowledge of the criminal justice system, and work experience undertaking projects involving many partners, complex issues, and extensive writing and presentation.

This position, based in Pew’s Washington, DC office, will report to an associate manager, PSPP. The position has a set time frame that could be extended based on the success of the program, funding sources, and board decisions on continued support.

Responsibilities

Reporting to an associate manager, PSPP, and in consultation with colleagues across the project and Pew, the position will:
•Provide intensive jail and pretrial technical assistance to states, including integration of high-quality data analysis, development of evidence-based policy options, and effective policy maker and stakeholder education on proposed policies and practices. Directly responsible for engagement of senior state officials; regular interaction with external constituents from the public and private sectors; and substantial latitude to exercise independent judgement in policy deliberations.
•Coordinate and strategize with project partners, coordinate with state-based and national organizations, and oversee consultants involved in state-specific reform efforts.
•Ensure integration and strategic alignment of legislative and communications strategies.
•Develop and maintain an intimate familiarity with the project’s work streams to be able to track and inform manager, director, team members, and other internal colleagues of relevant internal and external project and policy developments.
•Cultivate productive relationships and communications with a wide range of organizations and constituencies working on jail and pretrial detention reform.
•Collaborate with Pew operating units, including communications, government relations, and legal, to maximize effectiveness of efforts and ensure compliance with lobbying and ethics rules.
•Develop relationships with respected policy makers in the field and seek out potential partnerships to advance the project’s agenda and expertise.
•Represent the project and the Trusts at conferences, meetings, and other events, including preparing materials for distribution and making presentations.
•Maintain and continue to develop an understanding of emerging criminal justice issues by monitoring publications and participating in conferences, seminars and other professional development activities.

Requirements: 

Bachelor’s degree required, advance degree in public policy or other relevant field strongly preferred.
•At least four years of experience in public policy, with demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following areas: sentencing, community corrections, prisons, jails, pretrial detention, courts, law enforcement, prosecution, or criminal defense. Experience working with state policy makers, criminal justice practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders strongly preferred.
•Prior to commencing employment with Pew, candidates for this position who were registered to lobby in any jurisdiction must certify termination of previous registration(s) and provide copies of termination notices with said jurisdiction(s) to Pew.
•Demonstrated strong research and analytical skills applied to public policy issues, including the ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue.
•A keen understanding of the importance of rigorous, timely, and policy-relevant research, experience commissioning and managing such research, and disseminating it effectively to policymakers, the media, and the public.
•Experience convening groups of policy makers, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers and other constituencies, and supporting their efforts to develop consensus and move toward a desired outcome.
•Acute political awareness and non-partisan perspective and approach. Demonstrated ability to build relationships among individuals and organizations with a range of interests and perspectives.
•Ability to communicate ideas, thoughts and concepts clearly and concisely and in a compelling way, both in writing and orally. A clear, effective writing and presentation style.
•Familiarity with key sentencing and corrections advocacy and interest groups, their positions and leadership.
•Experience developing and moving complex projects forward with a high degree of independence within a creative, fast-paced, action-oriented and collegial environment. Demonstrated time and project management skills, including an ability to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
•Ability to think strategically and creatively, adjust to changing circumstances, organize time, remain attentive to details and identify resources for projects. Ability to establish a systematic course of action to ensure project completion.

Travel
It is anticipated that the individual in this position will travel approximately two times per month.

Total Rewards
We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer