Research Analyst

About the team:

Vera's work in New Orleans began in 2006, when the City Council invited Vera to assess the criminal justice system and propose reforms as part of post-Katrina recovery efforts. Since then, Vera has become a nexus for advancing evidence-based reform and has demonstrated that change is not only possible but within reach. In partnership with people leading and working in the local justice system, city leaders, and community organizations, we are working to end unnecessary detention and develop innovative, collaborative projects that improve the delivery of justice in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and throughout Louisiana.

About the role:

Vera Louisiana is seeking a full-time Research Analyst to provide a wide range of support for ongoing projects, including jail population reduction, increasing investment in thriving communities, and addressing Louisiana’s carceral impact at the parish and state level. The Research Analyst will be supervised primarily by the Associate Director of Research (ADR) with support and mentorship from the Senior Research Associate and will support completion of a variety of quantitative and qualitative research projects with other staff. This position will provide an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in applied social justice research, in using research to advance advocacy goals, and in criminal legal systems in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana. The Research Analyst will work primarily on qualitative research projects, which require independent coding and analysis, will have the opportunity to support and develop skills in qualitative coding and analysis, and will also occasionally perform tasks beyond research-specific assignments, including some advocacy and administrative work.

The Research Analyst collaborates with team members to advance project or initiative goals, by actively engaging in team meetings and program activities, and supports 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.

1. Data collection, management, and analysis

• Support in-person data collection under the supervision of senior research staff
• Clean, code, and manage data (quant and/or qual) and codebooks, instruments, or other research materials
• Support quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of data and/or write up of methods and results
• Field rapid response data requests from team members and external partners, including quickly producing statistics or identifying and sharing existing research to provide evidence in support of advocacy materials and more

2. Write up/presentation of research

• Conduct background research and compile materials, including literature reviews
• Prepare, format, and draft portions of reports, slide decks, factsheets, and other products
• Prepare qualitative and/or quantitative data, statistics, background research, and data visualizations for reports and other products

3. Administrative Tasks

• Support in planning, preparing for, and taking notes at meetings, conference calls, webinars and conferences 
• Manage and respond to emails from external partners who work with Vera
• Schedule and facilitate meetings
• Data entry tasks, including creating, updating, and maintaining spreadsheets and databases
• Support the logistical/event/research trip planning process as needed

4. Administrative Tasks

• Support in planning, preparing for, and taking notes at meetings, conference calls, webinars and conferences 
• Manage and respond to emails from external partners who work with Vera
• Schedule and facilitate meetings
• Data entry tasks, including creating, updating, and maintaining spreadsheets and databases
• Support the logistical/event/research trip planning process as needed

What qualifications are we looking for?

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree social science, statistics, or computer science + up to 3 years of relevant experience.  In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, applicable work or life experience may be considered.

Preferred: 

• Experience using mixed methods research in applied settings
• Experience creating data visualizations or infographics
• Lived experience as a person directly impacted by the criminal legal system
• A demonstrated commitment to racial justice, equity, and inclusion
• Deep understanding of the New Orleans and/or Louisiana carceral system

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities you'll bring:

• Experience in quantitative research (e.g. completing a research project using quantitative methods).   
• Coding experience for data analysis, preferably in R   
• 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
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Excellent organizational skills and careful attention to detail  
• Developing ability with data visualization and presentation and a desire to learn more  
• Spanish language proficiency a plus
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Slack, and Asana or other cloud-based management software

Location:

Please note this role will report to our New Orleans, Louisiana 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 $64,000 - $67,000. In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) UAW 2325. 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, Place, and Culture / [JOBTITLE]
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.

Vera is an equal opportunity 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.