Data Collection Liaison - CJARS

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit a (1) cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) writing sample via the UM Careers website as one combined electronic document. The cover letter should explain how your skills and experience align with the job requirements and why you are applying for the position. Please include all relevant experience and education in your resume. The writing sample should showcase your ability to write professional documents that would be required in this position (e.g., data request proposal).

Job Summary

The Criminal Justice Administrative Records System (CJARS) is a next-generation criminal justice data platform designed to improve policy-relevant research on the U.S. justice system. To date, the project has amassed a substantial amount of criminal justice data, including 3 billion lines of raw data, which come from 38 states and cover over 200 million criminal justice events. CJARS was recently awarded a $6 million grant from Arnold Ventures to expand project operations over the course of the next three years. We are seeking applications for a Data Collection Liaison to join our expanding team and contribute to the growth of CJARS data holdings. As a Data Collection Liaison, you will primarily engage in outreach to criminal justice agencies and other data providers to acquire administrative criminal justice records that will be incorporated into the CJARS data infrastructure.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Responsibilities*

The Data Collection Liaison will engage in a number of activities to support the acquisition of data from criminal justice agencies and other data providers, including:

• Identify targets for data collection, evaluate modalities available to submit data requests, and develop agency outreach materials (e.g., emails, data request proposals, predefined data request forms) that will be used to acquire records for incorporation into the CJARS database and other funded projects managed by CJARS.
• Interface with criminal justice agencies to coordinate data collection and evaluate the content and format of data provided by the agency as needed. Manage engagement efforts for multiple distinct funded data collection programs simultaneously.
• Track and document progress of data acquisition and manage agency relationships during engagement.
• Liaise with internal data processing team to support interpretation of data structure, data codes, and the meaning of data fields in context of data provider.
• Work with Director of Data Collection to set priorities for future outreach efforts and develop new innovative approaches to collect data.
• Travel to represent CJARS at conferences and other professional meetings.
  

Required Qualifications*

• A Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of work experience.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage numerous lines of communication with a wide range of key stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate about the structure, format, and content of large datasets.
• Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Capacity to exercise independent judgement and work autonomously without direct supervision to execute assigned tasks.
  

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience working in data-focused positions within law enforcement, prosecutor's offices, criminal courts, jails or prisons, other forms of correctional supervision, or other agencies involved in the criminal justice system.
• Experience in a research environment and communicating within an interdisciplinary team.
• Experience in an externally facing outreach role in a non-profit or academic environment.
• Experience developing strategies to collect data that is used for research purposes, especially from criminal justice agencies.
• Master's degree in a relevant field or other advanced degree.
  

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

The salary range for this position is $66,200 to $82,700.

As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

269691

Data Collection Liaison - CJARS

Project Intermediate Manager

Ann Arbor Campus

Onsite

Full-Time

Regular

Exempt

College Of Lsa

LSA Economics

10/13/2025 - 10/27/2025

$66,200.00 - $82,700.00

Administration