Senior Project Analyst

Who we are:

The Council of State Governments Justice Center is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that combines the power of a membership association, representing state officials in all three branches of government, with policy and research expertise to develop strategies that increase public safety and strengthen communities. We help achieve those results by:

• Bringing people together from both sides of the aisle to foster collaboration
• Driving the criminal justice field forward with original research
• Building momentum for policy change at the state and local levels
• Providing expert assistance to translate the latest research into policy and practice

The CSG Justice Center is one of the most robust criminal justice organizations in the country, composed of approximately 120 employees with decades of experience in law enforcement, community corrections, court administration, housing, mental health and addiction services, state prisons, local jails, juvenile justice, education, workforce development, and victim advocacy. Staff here have served governors, state legislators, and members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum. What bonds us together is a shared commitment to our mission, to a common set of values, and to the national, bipartisan advisory board that guides our work. Learn more about careers at the CSG Justice Center.

How you'll fit in:

The Behavioral Health Division works with jurisdictions nationally to improve outcomes for people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders who come into contact with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. This includes the Stepping Up initiative, a national campaign to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in jails; an effort to increase the number of jurisdictions that implement comprehensive police and mental health collaborations; and supporting innovation in state policy to increase the availability of community-based treatment and services designed to reduce recidivism and support recovery for people with behavioral health needs.

The senior project analyst will report to the director of the Behavioral Health Division. The senior project analyst will support the director's work and division-wide priorities by serving as a liaison to the division's senior management team, organizing and coordinating the director's commitments, supporting the director's external communications, and overseeing special projects. The individual must have the ability to work independently on projects, work well under time pressure, and be able to manage a wide variety of activities and competing tasks.

What you'll do:

Specific responsibilities of the senior project analyst include the following:

Strategic Initiatives:

• Support the director in the development of new projects, some of which will become division initiatives.
• Support the division's efforts to develop a larger focus on race and health equity by reviewing relevant literature, keeping informed about new initiatives in this area, and working on developing projects as needed.
• Work with the director to develop funding proposals for new work, including coordinating and structuring internal planning meetings, researching relevant policy areas, and drafting or editing sections of funding proposals.

Communication and Partnerships:

• Work with the director to develop first drafts'or edit subsequent drafts'of op-eds, articles, reports, and other documents as needed.
• Support the director in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external organizations.
• Prepare talking points and presentation materials for the director and keep track of and coordinate the director's presentation and speaking initiatives. Collaborate with Communications or other program staff as needed on the development of these materials.
• Coordinate and schedule speakers who will be presenting to the division and/or organization.

Director Support and Administrative Tasks:

• Complete a range of administrative tasks for the director, including composing correspondence, arranging meeting agendas and itineraries, and completing expense reports, among others.
• Manage the director's schedule to ensure that deadlines are met and that the director's time is being used efficiently to support the needs of senior managers and the division.
• Serve as a liaison with the director of the division's operations team to bring attention to project delays/challenges/issues/risks that need to be mitigated and work to inform the appropriate response.
• Participate in the division's senior leadership team meetings and provide support for scheduling, developing agendas, and creating meeting materials.

What you'll bring:

• At least 5 years of experience in policy, administration, and/or communications
• Previous experience supporting director-level staff
• A bachelor's degree (required) and an advanced degree (preferred) in a relevant field such as psychology, criminal justice, law, public policy, or public administration
• Ability to work autonomously, proactively solve problems, actively seek new opportunities, and propose solutions to challenges
• Strong organizational skills
• Exceptional written and verbal skills
• Administrative and project management experience
• Ability to prioritize conflicting needs, handle tasks quickly and proactively, and follow through on projects to completion
• Effective team player with the ability to form strong working relationships with internal and external colleagues

How you apply:

If you're interested in helping us drive change across the country, you should upload the following elements with your application:

1. Cover letter with salary expectations
2. Resume

The CSG Justice Center is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The CSG Justice Center participates in E-Verify