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Posted Job TitleSenior Data Analyst, Crime and Justice Policy LabJob Profile TitleData Analyst SeniorJob Description SummaryThis role is responsible for interpreting data, analyzing results using statistical techniques and providing ongoing reports. Developing and implementing data analyses, data collection systems and other strategies that optimize efficiency and quality. Acquiring data from primary or secondary data sources and maintaining databases.Job DescriptionThe Crime and Justice Policy Lab (CJP) is hiring a Senior Data Analyst with strong technical skills to work on research projects, primarily in support of the Crime and Justice Policy Lab's crime prevention and reduction work. The mission of the CJP Lab is to apply rigorous methods of scientific research to improve public safety in disadvantaged communities, centering those communities in the design and execution of policy ideas, and ensuring that research and government policy is being done with communities rather than to communities. The end goal for our work is that citizens in Philadelphia and other locations where we work are able to enjoy safety and equitable treatment and outcomes in their day-to-day lives. CJP works primarily in Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Oakland, and San Francisco, and with several federal government partners and international partners in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This position requires an individual who is able to work as part of small research teams running multiple projects concurrently. Compared to other Data Analysts in our research group, the Senior Data Analyst will have greater facility with programming and working with large datasets. The applicant will be expected to contribute to the development of research designs, data collection and cleaning, and analysis of outcome and process data. In keeping with our lab's approach to partnerships, the ideal candidate would also have experience and/or be willing to apply action research principles to their work, actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with and improve the capacity of our project partners.
The position offers the opportunity to work directly with leading crime and violence prevention researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and with non-profit and governmental partners at municipal and state levels.
Background
The specific projects and scope of work of this position will be dependent on the applicant's skills and interests, although the Senior Data Analyst may support one or more of the following lab initiatives:
The Pushing Progress Philly (P3) program forms part of the City of Philadelphia's Group Violence Intervention (GVI) efforts to reduce gun violence. Designed after READI in Chicago, P3 pairs relentless outreach to high-risk young men with behavioral health interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and transitional jobs and job training. CJP is partnering with the City of Philadelphia to conduct an impact evaluation of the program.
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is launching a new violence intervention strategy, called Thrive Academy, that focuses on relentless outreach and intensive life coaching to youth under DJS supervision, deemed to be at the highest risk of involvement in gun violence, with the goal of keeping them safe, alive and free. DJS has partnered with CJP to rigorously evaluate the Thrive Academy's implementation in three Maryland counties: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Prince George's County.
Under CJP's international portfolio, the Lab has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen evidence-based decision making for citizen security in the Caribbean. CJP will provide technical training in the areas of data collection and analysis to government and community-based organizations to inform policy making and the deployment of prevention and enforcement resources.
Responsibilities
The Senior Data Analyst will collaborate closely with partners and research team members to propose and implement analytical approaches for solving specific research questions. They will contribute to the design, implementation, and validation of efficient and reproducible data processing pipelines using administrative datasets. Building and rigorously evaluating statistical models using best practices in statistical inference will be a key responsibility. Additionally, they will prepare results for memos, presentations, and academic papers targeting both policymakers and researchers. This position involves leading and mentoring other data scientists/analysts within the unit. They will also assist with literature reviews and drafting papers, as well as perform sampling, power analysis, and randomization,
Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree in criminology, economics, sociology, public policy, statistics, computer science, or a closely related field with substantial training in quantitative methods is required. PhD strongly preferred.
Experience:
Experience working with statistical programming languages required (STATA or R experience strongly preferred).
In addition, candidates are encouraged to highlight experience in the following areas:
Conducting geospatial analyses (e.g., ArcGIS)
Experience with other programming (e.g., Python)
Working with large, complex, and/or administrative datasets
Working with field experiments or randomized controlled trials
Program evaluation methods (e.g., difference-in-differences, propensity score matching, regression discontinuity)
Creating data visualizations
Conducting power analysis
Imputing missing data
Competencies:
Collaborating with government and community-based partners
Advanced knowledge of statistical techniques/strong quantitative skills
Interest in criminal justice policy
Developing and maintaining positive working relationships
Project management
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to work both independently and as a team member
Ability to work carefully with sensitive and confidential data
Knowledge and understanding of crime and violence policy and research literature is preferred
Familiarity with program evaluation and causal inference preferred
Spanish language skills preferred
This position is contingent upon grant funding.
Job Location - City, StatePhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaDepartment / SchoolSchool of Arts and SciencesPay Range$74,476.00 - $90,000.00 Annual RateSalary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile. Affirmative Action Statement
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