Who we are:

The Vera Institute of Justice is powered by hundreds of advocates, researchers, and policy experts working to transform the criminal legal and immigration systems until they’re fair for all. Founded in 1961 to advocate for alternatives to money bail in New York City, Vera is now a national organization that partners with impacted communities and government leaders for change. We develop just, antiracist solutions so that money doesn’t determine freedom; fewer people are in jails, prisons, and immigration detention; and everyone is treated with dignity. For more information, visit vera.org.

Vera has a staff of 224 people, is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York and has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New Orleans. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity in the workplace. We expect our staff to embody respect, independence, collaboration, commitment, anti-racism, and equity—both in our outward-facing work and the internal culture of our workplace. We value a range of experiences in people’s educational backgrounds and encourage people who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system to apply.

About the team:

Restoring Promise is an initiative at Vera that seeks to transform prison cultures, climates and spaces by partnering with correctional leaders to reimagine housing units for young adults and realign  

A Restoring Promise Research Associate has analytical and methodological and emerging project development skills. The Research Associate has training in mixed methods and reports to a Senior Research Associate. The research associate supports Restoring Promise through task management and by taking ownership of research tasks that are components of broader projects. The Research Associate works across a range of projects in support of Restoring Promise’s portfolio—for example, producing analysis and contributing to reports—under the supervision of a more experienced researcher.  

The Research Associate has fluency in the team’s core subject areas and, over time, specialization and growth of skills that allows them to develop products, supervise  the research associate begins to develop supervision skills and becomes increasingly involved in research design and analysis, with support and guidance from senior research staff. The Research Associate may be asked to develop IRB materials or substantial complements of research design, analysis, and write up. 

Associates also collaborate with team members to advance project or initiative goals, by actively engaging in team meetings and program activities, and supporting efforts to ensure Vera’s race equity and inclusion priorities are a core aspect of Vera’s research, including in methodological approaches, publications, hiring and staffing, and external and internal research communications. 

All Restoring Promise research is informed by a Participatory Action Research (PAR) framework. The Research Associate is expected to maintain a PAR approach in all research processes and identify additional touch points for collaboration in study design and implementation. The Research Associate’s approach to their tasks must be rooted in anti-racist philosophy and practices, with a commitment to the values of Restoring Promise: Race Equity, Cultural Healing, Restorative Justice, and Community and Family Partnership. 

About the role:

Data Collection, management, and analysis 

  • Conduct data collection (qualitative interviews or observation; surveys; quantitative instruments, etc.) in consultation with senior research staff  
  • Conduct data management (entry, cleaning, coding) and analysis 

Write up/presentation of research

  • Prepare data or background research for reports 
  • Write up results and integrate into public-facing products including reports, advocacy documents, or other publications (quant or qual) 
  • Conduct background research and literature reviews  
  • Contribute to draft public-facing products including reports, advocacy documents, or other publications (quant or qual) under the supervision of senior researchers 
  • Present research at department meetings, “brown bag” discussions, and other internal Vera events 
  • Present at academic and policy-focused conferences and professional meetings 

Proposal development   

  • Draft sections of research proposals in support of senior staff 
  • Support in the development of research design  

IRB

  •  Prepare projects for IRB review, with support and approval of a Senior Research Associate or above.  

Other duties as assigned 

What qualifications are we looking for?

  • Bachelor’s degree in statistics, computer science, or social science, or related field + 3 – 5 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.   
  • A demonstrated interest in research, and/or some experience using research methods in academic or applied settings.  
  • Knowledge of, and experience in, social science research, ideally including experience in local or state government, or criminal justice  

Preferred: 

  • Experience with the criminal legal system and/or young adult development through lived or work experience.  
  • Lived experience as a person directly impacted by the criminal-legal and/or immigrations system  
  • A demonstrated commitment to racial justice.  
  • Experience using participatory action research approaches.   
  • Experience working with incarcerated people or doing research in prisons  
  • Experience working with Departments of Corrections and/or correctional staff 

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring: 

  • Experience in mixed methods research (e.g. completing a research project using mixed methods).   
  • Ability to synthesize complex literature and share findings from existing research.  
  • Skilled in writing findings from research in a manner that is easily understood by the general public.   
  • Careful attention to detail.  
  • Developing ability with data visualization and presentation and a desire to learn more  
  • Experience using quantitative and qualitative research software. 
  • Ability to travel 20% of time 

Technical knowledge helpful for this role:

  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • SPSS, R, STATA and Dedoose (or similar quantitative and qualitative software) 

Location:

Please note this role will report to our Brooklyn, NY; Washington, DC; Los Angeles, CA; New Orleans, LA office. Vera employees adhere to a hybrid schedule and are in-office on an alternating schedule that generally amounts to 10 days per month.

Compensation and Benefits:

The compensation range for this position is $82,000 - $85,000. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to experience and performance. The salary range listed is just one component of Vera Institute’s total compensation package for employees. As an employer of choice in our field, supporting Vera staff - both personally and professionally - is a priority. To do this, we invest in the well-being of our staff through other rewards including merit pay, generous paid time off, a comprehensive health insurance plan, student loan repayment benefits, professional development training opportunities and up to $2,000 annual for education costs and fees relevant to Vera work, employer-funded retirement plan, and flexible time. To learn more about Vera’s benefits offerings, click here. 

Applications may also be faxed to:

ATTN: People Resources / Research Associate, Restoring Promise
Vera Institute of Justice
34 35th St, Suite 4-2A, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Fax: (212) 941-9407
Please use only one method (online, mail or fax) of submission.
No phone calls, please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

In order to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, Vera Institute of Justice is requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccine before their start date. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability / medical contraindication or sincerely held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

Vera is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status. 

Vera works to advance justice, particularly racial justice, in an increasingly multicultural country and globally connected world. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depend on a diverse staff to carry out our mission. 

For more information about Vera, please visit www.vera.org.

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