Analyst/Senior Analyst

About the Correctional Association of New York (CANY)

Mission: CANY provides independent oversight of prisons in New York State in order to promote greater transparency and accountability; to safeguard the human and civil rights of incarcerated people; to eliminate harmful practices and policies; and to decrease the use of incarceration in New York.

Vision: CANY envisions a future in which our criminal justice system uses an entirely different approach to responding to violence and social concerns. In this vision, prisons look nothing like they do today: far fewer people are held for much shorter sentences in transformed conditions that promote health, safety, and justice for incarcerated individuals, communities, and society at large.

About the Position

CANY is seeking to fill three Analyst positions on the Monitoring and Reporting Team. Each Analyst will contribute to researching, analyzing, and reporting on information related to living and working conditions in New York State prisons in service of the organization’s efforts to provide effective independent oversight and advance key policy and reform issues.

About the Team

The Monitoring and Reporting Team is responsible for planning and implementing monitoring visits across the state, authoring reports, and conducting research and analysis on prison conditions.

Job-related factors

• This position requires 3-5 days per month of travel, including overnight travel, within New York State.
• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the analyst must be able to meet the following physical demands: stand, walk, climb stairs, and take handwritten notes for extended periods of time.
• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the analyst must be able to receive clearance to enter a correctional facility following a background check by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Specific areas of responsibility will include:

• Design and support the development of data collection instruments—including surveys and protocols for interviews, focus groups, and structured observation—as well as tools to build the organization’s research capacity, including analysis plans, literature reviews, and training materials.
• Design qualitative analysis tools and protocols to draw insights from information gathered during prison visits.
• Manage data collected during prison visits and develop tools, processes, and analysis plans to help the organization interpret and leverage this information.
• Work with colleagues to identify and create systems to track key performance indicators (KPIs) for oversight of prisons. Leverage insights to set and advance policy priorities.
• Create and maintain internal data tracking systems to identify and monitor issues and trends across the prison system and to inform CANY’s strategy for oversight and recommendations. The senior analyst will be responsible for overseeing these tracking processes and responsible for cleaning, organizing, and streamlining data for accuracy and usability.
• Assess programs, policies, procedures, and initiatives implemented by the NYS Department of Correction and Community Supervision and the NYS Office of Mental Health.
• Provide informed recommendations to management on potential courses of action, drawing on specialized knowledge and expertise.
• Assist with the supervision and support of interns throughout the year, including providing guidance on projects, offering feedback, and helping coordinate assignments.
• Conduct data analysis and leverage quantitative and qualitative data to provide context and enhance impact.
• Draft, edit, and support the dissemination of reports and briefing materials that communicate data findings and monitoring outcomes to diverse audiences, including the general public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with state government staff, elected officials, boards, commissions, community organizations, and the public.
• Participate in prison monitoring visits and other organization-wide meetings, work sessions, retreats, trainings, etc.
• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications

CANY is seeking enthusiastic candidates comfortable working across a variety of functions as part of a small, collaborative, hard-working team. Individuals who possess the following skills, attributes, and qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Knowledge of or familiarity with the criminal justice system, preferably with experience specific to New York State, including a working understanding of the routines, procedures, and techniques involved in corrections and oversight work.
• A master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Law, or a related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered, including previous experience living or working inside a correctional facility.
• A minimum of two years of relevant experience is required for Analyst positions. To be considered for a Senior Analyst position, a minimum of five years of relevant experience is required. Strongest consideration will be given to candidates who have previously worked in oversight, audit, or investigatory capacities, and/or in corrections or law enforcement settings.
• Candidates must have prior professional experience carrying out research and policy analysis, or demonstrate the ability to perform such tasks.
• Proficiency with Excel (including pivot tables and Power Query), SQL, and Power BI.
• Experience using statistical (e.g. STATA, SPSS, R, etc.) and qualitative (e.g. Taguette, NVivo, Dedoose, etc.) analysis software to analyze data.
• Experience using data visualization tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau, Flourish, etc.)
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present information in a concise way.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people in a variety of professional settings and situations.
• Ability to problem-solve, present innovative solutions, and think strategically.
• Excellent relationship management abilities and willingness to work collaboratively.
• Proven experience in handling and maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information and records.
• Fluency in Spanish and other languages is not a requirement, but a plus.
• New York State residency required.