Senior Associate, Public Safety Performance Project (Community Supervision Initiative)

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 public interests.

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.

Project Description
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 sentencing and corrections that protect public safety, hold offenders accountable and control costs. For more information about this project, visit www.pewpublicsafety.org.

Position Overview
The Trusts is seeking to hire a senior associate to focus on the Public Safety Performance Project’s (PSPP) assistance to states interested in reducing the size of their community supervision footprint and improving the effectiveness of probation and parole, while supporting the entire spectrum of activity under the project. The position will be located in Pew's Washington, DC office and 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.

The ideal candidate will have an educational and employment background in public policy or a related field; knowledge of the criminal or juvenile justice system and an understanding of community supervision; issue campaign work, lobbying, or advocacy; and, experience undertaking projects involving many partners, complex issues and extensive writing and presentations.

Reporting to an associate manager, community corrections, PSPP and in consultation with colleagues across PSPP and Pew, the newly created position will help:

• Provide technical assistance to state and federal policy makers engaged with PSPP and its partners, including, development of evidence-based policy options, effective education of proposed policies and practices to policy makers and stakeholders, and interpreting data.
• Facilitate meetings with state and federal leaders from the judicial, executive and legislative branches.
• Support in coordinating a multi-state effort that includes collaboration with other PSPP external partners, national and state-based stakeholder organizations, and consultants.
• Research, develop, and draft written materials including, but not limited to, correspondence with state and federal officials, presentations, memorandums, and external documents.
• Develop and implement legislative and communications strategies.
• Conduct state system assessments and make recommendations of states to receive assistance from the project.
• Ensure all technical assistance components are well-coordinated and strategically focused.
• Develop relationships with respected policy makers in the field and seek out potential partnerships to advance the project’s agenda and expertise.
• Maintain and continue to develop an understanding of emerging research and policies surrounding community supervision, its scale and consequences, as well as sentencing and corrections issues through monitoring publications and participating in conferences, seminars and other professional development activities.
• Prepare for conferences, meetings, and other events.

• At least four years’ experience in criminal or juvenile justice policy, with demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following areas: disposition, probation/parole, residential placement, courts, law enforcement, prosecution, or criminal defense. Experience working with policy makers, criminal or juvenile justice officials, probation/parole agencies, behavioral health, and criminologists strongly preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree is required. Advanced degree in public policy or other relevant field preferred.
• Demonstrated analytical skills applied to public policy issues, including an ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information and to focus quickly on the essence of an issue.
• Ability to think strategically and apply research and data to inform campaigns. 
• A keen understanding of the importance of policy-relevant research and disseminating it effectively to policymakers, the media, and the public.
• 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 thrive in a creative, fast-paced, and highly professional corporate culture that emphasizes excellence, collegiality, and teamwork.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills including the ability to handle several projects at different stages simultaneously, and a strong capacity to track details.
• Ability to communicate ideas, thoughts and concepts clearly and concisely and in a compelling way, both written and orally. A clear, effective writing and presentation style.
• Superior ability to work with people, and in a team environment.
• Good project management skills, a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and to develop and move projects forward with a high degree of independence and autonomy.

Travel
An average of two to three trips per month to perform work or assessments in states.

Compensation and Benefits
As this is a full-time position, 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 help you 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.