Associate I, Data and Technical Assistance, Courts and Communities

The Government Performance Portfolio within Program 
Pew’s government performance work identifies and advances effective approaches to help solve complex challenges at all levels of government in the United States.  

The portfolio’s work can be traced back to our founders’ early efforts to improve the lives of Americans by supporting efforts that promoted health, civic engagement, and democratic ideals. Today, we conduct research on emerging topics, develop data-driven reports, and highlight innovative, non-partisan approaches in addressing complex problems at the federal, state, and local levels as well as the interplay that can occur between jurisdictions. Current initiatives focus on health, fiscal and economic policy, and safety and justice, and take into account significant trends such as evolving technologies, and the increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States population. 

Our teams explore and advance effective, evidence-based policies using credible, timely, and accessible research, assessing public support for change, identifying approaches that have proved successful elsewhere, and bringing together diverse perspectives to find common ground. We work in collaboration with organizations that share our commitment to rigorous research, measurable results, and public service, and we focus on developing durable policy change. In addition, our teams use strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders, and the public. 

Courts and Communities 

The courts and communities project works to strengthen policies and processes that dictate how civil and criminal courts manage their dockets and handle cases—the nuts and bolts of how courts do business. We envision reforms that enable people to participate more effectively in court processes, resolve their matters more expeditiously, and avoid unnecessary or unwarranted costs or penalties. In so doing, the reforms will focus court staff attention on cases where their skills and knowledge are best applied. And, systemically, they will enable court systems to administer justice in a way that better supports safety, stability, and well-being of the communities they serve.  

Position Overview

The associate I, data and technical assistance, courts and communities, helps to improve courts by looking at the data. Reporting to the senior manager, data and TA, the associate I provides research support for data-driven technical assistance efforts in state courts, including how courts deal with families and caregiving, high volume disputes like traffic and debt collection cases, and court costs and funding. The associate I contributes to research, drafts and maintains publications, develops subject matter expertise on emerging issues, and engages with external researchers on collaborative projects.

Located in Pew’s Washington, DC, office, this position will participate in Pew’s core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will have flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project’s related goals.
• At the direction of the senior officer of research, research and analyze court policy and practices by reviewing court rules and administrative orders, conducting literature reviews of existing research, interviewing stakeholders, cleaning court-related datasets, and analyzing court data.
• Synthesize research on court practices and reform efforts in areas ranging from children and families to debt and eviction to traffic and public safety, to identify trends and best practices.
• Develop, research, and draft materials such as correspondence, memos, research summaries and outreach materials.
• Support the research team by working collaboratively with internal Pew research quality control teams to manage the timely release of accurate research.
• Support the senior officer of research with managing relationships with external research partners.
• Identify and attend webinars, trainings, and conferences to expand subject matter knowledge and professional development.
• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

Requirements

• Excellent applied research and analytical skills, including synthesizing large sets of data and identifying key themes.
• Works effectively with colleagues to advance complex projects to successful completion with measurable results.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Generally, one year of applicab