Salary: $72,537.01 – $112,432.37 Annually
Location : 401 B Street, San Diego
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Data Science
Division: Criminal Justice Research
Opening Date: 07/21/2023
Closing Date: 8/4/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Description
Overview of the Criminal Justice Research Program
The Criminal Justice Research Division is the clearinghouse for crime data throughout the region and is well known for producing high quality research that has policy implications. Projects include conducting specialized grant funded research and evaluating national and local crime prevention programs and practices. Research Analyst plays an important role in the data collection process.
Associate Research Analyst Role
The Associate Research Analyst will assist with the design, implementation, and analysis of various studies that support a broad range of regional projects, programs, and policy initiatives. Responsibilities include providing technical support for data management and analysis for large data sets, including data cleaning, data manipulation, statistical analysis, and preparing written and visual reports.
All employees working in the Criminal Justice Research Division are required to pass a criminal history background check conducted by the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, and a driving record check annually thereafter.
Job Responsibilities
- Develop and research methodologies designed to measure the effectiveness of programs and services, that assess the feasibility of policy alternatives in areas such as criminal justice, public safety, and public health; utilize appropriate methodology and statistical analysis for evaluation projects, research studies, and grant proposals.
- Maintain update, and document comprehensive computerized databases in SPSS, Excel, Access, R, Python and SQL Server formats; mine databases for analysis and reporting purposes.
- Research, identify, gather, compile, and analyze various types of demographic, criminal, economic, social, public health, geographic, and other quantitative data from interviews, surveys, various local, state, and federal agencies, the Internet, government publications, and other sources; extract data from various databases.
- Code data for input; compile and complete data entries and update files as required; review data for quality and accuracy and resolve data inconsistencies; maintain data documentation.
- Analyze and interpret data utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics, answer policy-related research questions, and make appropriate interpretations.
- Design survey and data collection projects, and the development of research procedures and quality-control standards.
- Prepare project reports, technical documentation, and written, oral, and visual reports and recommendations to committees, funding/grant agencies, member agencies, community groups, and members of the public; prepare tables, graphs, and charts to display information for written reports and presentations.
- Collaborate and work closely with outside agencies to coordinate tasks and accomplish project goals; respond to requests for data from member agencies, grant agencies, and the public.
- Support project management, compliance and confidentiality with contracting, budgeting, and invoicing for various team projects and assist with grant writing and grant management.
- Complete tasks in an efficient, responsive manner; participate as a team member in project coordination.
Typical Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree with major course work in criminology, sociology, demography, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred. A combination of education and recent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Three years of recent full-time experience in a professional research environment; experience with data collection and data analysis, preferably in an applied research environment.
- Knowledge of and experience with fundamental applied research principles and methods including survey design, evaluation studies, performance measures, data compilation, and data analysis.
- Experience updating and maintaining project databases, files, and records, including data documentation.
- Knowledge of data acquisition and quality control methods used for gathering and compiling various types of information; knowledge of factors that contribute to the reliability and integrity of compiled data.
- Ability to independently compile and document data with speed and accuracy; ability to identify and resolve data inconsistencies and other problems; experience compiling, managing, and manipulating data for large databases preferably using SPSS, SQL, Python and/or R.
- Experience performing mathematical and statistical calculations, including descriptive and inferential statistics, to analyze data and identify trends; experience analyzing data using advanced statistical methods such as regression, ANCOVA, factor analysis, and/or multilevel modeling is desirable.
- Strong proficiency with the Microsoft Office applications especially Word, Excel and Power Point; experience with relational database management (Access and SQL Server), statistical analysis (SPSS, R, Python), and data visualization software (Power BI, ArcGIS).
- Knowledge of or experience with conducting surveys and interviews; experience providing training and monitoring data collectors and interviewers and ensuring reliable data collection methods are being used.
- Knowledge of or experience with writing and preparing reports that document research procedures and present research results and recommendations including the preparation, analysis, and interpretation of charts and tables.
- Demonstrated understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality and act with diplomacy when working with personal records, documents, and other sensitive information and materials.
- Effective time management and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment; ability to exercise good judgment and work independently.
- Experience with contracting, invoicing, budgeting, forecasting, grant writing and grant management; demonstrated experience managing projects.
- The final candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check in compliance with the FBI and the California Department of Justice (CalDOJ) requirements regarding the use of the California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (CLETS). Periodic re-checking of criminal background history will be a condition of employment.
- The selected candidate can anticipate a driving record check upon hire, and approximately annually thereafter. The results of the check may determine whether the selected candidate will be permitted to drive for SANDAG business.
First Review Date: August 4, 2023
Anticipated Start Date: September 2023
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including:
- Hybrid work options
- 9/80 flexible work schedule
- Pay-for-performance merit increases
- CalPERS pension plan with employer and employee contributions
- Excellent health insurance options for employees and their eligible dependents
- Free dental and vision insurance for employees and their eligible dependents
- Education Assistance of up to $5,250 a year for regular employees
- Free transit pass for use throughout the San Diego region, bus, Rapid Express, Trolley, and COASTER
- Paid time off including 12 paid holidays, 2 floating holiday days, generous paid time off (PTO) per year, depending on length of service
01
SANDAG employees are expected to live within the San Diego region and work in-person in our San Diego office; there are telework options available (Monday and Wednesday), as well as a 9/80 work schedule (every other Monday off).This is not a fully remote position.Are you able and willing to adhere to the onsite and work schedule described above?
- Yes
- No
02
Using the list below, please select any of the programs that you have utilized and excelled in.
- SPSS
- SQL
- PYTHON
- R
03
Do you have at least three years of increasingly responsible, professional research experience, administrative experience with data collection and data analysis, preferably in an applied research environment?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you have experience with any of the below data visualization software?
- Power BI
- ArcGIS
05
The final candidate selected for this position must successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background check in compliance with the FBI and the California Department of Justice (CalDOJ) requirements regarding the use of the California Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (CLETS). Periodic re-checking of criminal background history will be a condition of employment. Are you able to comply with this requirement?
- Yes
- No
Required Question