Project Manager, Community Responder (Remote or Hybrid)

CSG Justice Center

Project Manager, Community Responder

Who we are:

The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center works across the country to develop research-driven strategies to increase public safety and strengthen communities. To further this mission, we work with partners inside and outside of government to reduce crime and incarceration among youth and adults in contact with the justice system. We bring people from diverse systems and perspectives together to improve policy and practice. And we transform data and research findings into meaningful insights for decision-makers.

We're focused on three strategic goals:

• Break the cycle of incarceration.
• Advance health, opportunity, and equity.
• Use data to improve safety and justice.

When you join the CSG Justice Center, you join an organization that is uniquely positioned to cultivate innovation and drive data-driven reform nationally. We have over 170 employees based in more than 30 states who have decades of experience working in and with criminal, juvenile, and Tribal justice agencies. We have provided housing, mental health, and addiction services; served as educators and in workforce development agencies; and supported victims and survivors of crime. We have served governors, state legislators, and members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum. What binds us together is a shared commitment to our mission; to one another; 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 collaborates with jurisdictions across the country to enhance outcomes for people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders who come into contact with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. This includes developing community responder programs to expand first responses to people in behavioral health crisis.

The project manager will serve as an integral member of the CSG Justice Center's Behavioral Health Division and work on projects related to improving crisis response for people with behavioral health needs, focusing on community responders, as well as mobile crisis and police-mental health collaborations. The project manager will work directly with behavioral health and criminal justice leaders, stakeholders, and communities to assist in their efforts to help jurisdictions address challenges at the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal justice system. The project manager will examine existing programs, policies, and practices and provide policy recommendations to behavioral health and criminal justice agencies.

What you'll do:

Specific responsibilities of the project manager include the following:

• Work with a wide range of stakeholders focused on city or county government, law enforcement, criminal justice, and behavioral health.
• Plan and participate in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts.
• Lead the conceptualization and development of written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations, that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers.
• Lead efforts to conceptualize and create technical assistance tools and products, including explanatory guides, planning tools and worksheets, data dashboards, analytic tools, and more.
• Contribute to the development of long-range strategies to guide the CSG Justice Center's behavioral health work.
• Identify themes and linkages across disparate initiatives within the CSG Justice Center's diverse portfolio and leverage opportunities to incubate and test new ideas and approaches.
• Update senior staff and provide recommendations to inform long-range strategies.
• Independently monitor timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas.
• Research new funding opportunities, write sections of grant proposals, draft reports to funders, and serve as a resource to funding agencies.
• Identify and engage new contacts in the field to serve as formal or informal project consultants or partners.
• Ensure that senior staff and CSG Justice Center colleagues, consultants, and funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals.
• Supervise 1-4 full-time Policy Analysts and Senior Policy Analysts.
• Participate actively in and lead staff discussions and strategic planning meetings.
• Contribute to the development of CSG Justice Center website content and strategizing with staff and technical consultants on ways of using the web to promote policy goals.

What you'll bring:

• Ability to interact effectively with diverse people in different contexts and foster equity and inclusion through self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, and valuing others
• Dedication to public service with an unfailing commitment to act with civility, be nonpartisan in performing CSG Justice Center duties, and be a responsible steward of member and donor funds
• Six years of policy design, analysis, and implementation experience in the fields of behavioral health, criminal justice, health, housing/homelessness, and/or equivalent educational achievements
• Excellent research, writing, and editing skills and strong critical and strategic thinking skills
• Experience supervising full-time staff in a professional setting
• Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health policy, criminal justice policy, community responder programs, public health, and housing and homelessness policy at the state and local levels
• Ability to draw connections between seemingly disparate programs or projects
• Quick learner with demonstrated ability to work effectively in multiple settings and sectors
• Demonstrated success in managing relationships with funders or external partners
• Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise, accessible way
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting, and a sense of humor
• Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines

How you apply:

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

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. At least three professional references

We will consider all paid and unpaid experience relevant to this position, including internships, fellowships, and volunteer activities.

CSG believes that pay equity and pay transparency advance workplace fairness. Compensation will be equitable and based on experience and geography. The salary range for this position is $81,000 - $125,000. Salary ranges are subject to change based on work location and market conditions.

Learn more about careers at the CSG Justice Center.

We welcome and value diversity in our staff, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, educational attainment, disability, protected veteran status, and personal experience with the criminal justice system.

CSG is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. CSG participates in E-Verify.