Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Justice Research Consultant

🎯 Role Definition

As a Justice Research Consultant, you will be at the forefront of shaping evidence-based justice policy. You will serve as a subject matter expert, designing and executing rigorous research and evaluation projects for government agencies, non-profits, and philanthropic foundations. Your work will involve everything from large-scale data analysis to in-depth qualitative fieldwork, all with the goal of improving outcomes, increasing fairness, and promoting equity within the criminal and civil justice systems. This position requires a unique blend of analytical prowess, strategic thinking, and exceptional communication skills to influence decision-makers and support our clients' missions.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Research Analyst / Associate
Policy Analyst
Data Analyst (in a related public sector field)

Advancement To:

Senior Research Consultant / Senior Researcher
Project Director / Research Director
Principal Consultant

Lateral Moves:

Government Policy Advisor
Non-Profit Program Director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and lead complex mixed-methods research and program evaluation projects, from conceptualization and proposal development through data collection, analysis, and final reporting.
Conduct advanced quantitative analysis of large-scale administrative datasets (e.g., court, corrections, law enforcement records) using statistical software like R, Stata, or SPSS to identify trends, disparities, and the impact of interventions.
Perform rigorous qualitative data collection, including conducting semi-structured interviews, facilitating focus groups with justice-involved individuals and system stakeholders, and undertaking ethnographic observations.
Author high-quality, publication-ready reports, policy briefs, academic articles, and presentations that effectively translate complex research findings for diverse audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and community members.
Provide expert technical assistance and strategic consultation to state, local, and tribal government agencies on evidence-based practices, data-driven decision-making, and justice system reform initiatives.
Develop and validate data collection instruments, such as surveys and interview protocols, ensuring they are methodologically sound and culturally competent.
Manage day-to-day project operations, including developing work plans, monitoring project budgets and timelines, and ensuring all deliverables meet high standards of quality and rigor.
Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and environmental scans to synthesize existing research, identify knowledge gaps, and inform the design of new studies and policy recommendations.
Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with clients, funders, and external partners, serving as a primary point of contact and trusted advisor.
Present research findings at national conferences, client briefings, and public forums to disseminate knowledge and influence the fields of criminology and public policy.
Lead and contribute to business development activities, including identifying funding opportunities, cultivating client relationships, and writing competitive grant proposals and responses to Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
Ensure all research activities adhere to ethical guidelines and institutional review board (IRB) requirements, particularly concerning the protection of human subjects.
Supervise, mentor, and train junior research staff, providing constructive feedback and guidance on research methodologies, analytical techniques, and professional growth.
Facilitate workshops and training sessions for justice system professionals on topics such as performance measurement, data analysis, and the implementation of evidence-based programs.
Analyze legislative and policy proposals to assess their potential impact on justice system operations, costs, and outcomes for affected populations.
Collaborate with data scientists and engineers to clean, merge, and structure complex datasets for analysis, ensuring data integrity and accuracy.
Engage in strategic planning with clients to help them define research questions, articulate theories of change, and develop logic models for their programs and initiatives.
Conduct site visits to courts, correctional facilities, and community-based programs to gather contextual information and support implementation fidelity assessments.
Utilize data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI to create compelling dashboards and graphics that make data accessible and understandable to non-technical stakeholders.
Stay current on emerging trends, innovative practices, and policy debates in criminal and civil justice reform, juvenile justice, and related fields to inform all aspects of the work.
Translate research findings into concrete, actionable recommendations that are politically and operationally feasible for clients to implement.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Quantitative Analysis: Proficiency in statistical software packages such as R, Stata, SPSS, or SAS for regression analysis, causal inference methods, and longitudinal data analysis.
Qualitative Research Methods: Expertise in designing and conducting interviews, focus groups, and case studies, and proficiency with qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose).
Mixed-Methods Research Design: Demonstrated ability to integrate quantitative and qualitative approaches into a cohesive and rigorous research framework.
Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including budget oversight, staff supervision, and adherence to deadlines.
Data Visualization & Communication: Skill in using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or R Shiny to create insightful charts, maps, and dashboards that communicate complex data clearly.
Survey Design and Administration: Experience developing, validating, and implementing surveys using platforms like Qualtrics or SurveyMonkey.
Proposal & Grant Writing: Track record of successfully contributing to or leading the development of proposals for grants and contracts from government or philanthropic funders.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Written and Oral Communication: Ability to distill complex technical information into clear, concise, and persuasive reports, briefs, and presentations for non-expert audiences.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: A highly analytical and inquisitive mindset with the capacity to tackle complex, ambiguous problems and develop innovative, evidence-based solutions.
Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management: Superb interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain trust with a wide range of partners, from high-level government officials to community members.
Collaboration and Teamwork: A strong team player who can work effectively with interdisciplinary teams of researchers, policy experts, and data scientists.
Intellectual Curiosity & Adaptability: A passion for learning and a commitment to staying current with new research, methods, and policy developments in the justice field.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant social science or quantitative field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field is strongly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Criminology / Criminal Justice
Public Policy / Public Administration
Sociology
Economics
Political Science
Statistics or Data Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-10 years of professional experience conducting applied research, program evaluation, or policy analysis, preferably focused on the U.S. justice system.

Preferred:

Experience working directly with or for government agencies or non-profit organizations in the justice sector. A demonstrated record of publications, reports, and successful grant applications is highly desirable.