Research Analyst 2

The Alaska Judicial Council (AJC) invites applications for a Research Analyst 2-3 in Anchorage. Working under the general direction of AJC professional staff, the selected applicant will plan and implement a variety of challenging data entry, data analysis, and administrative tasks to support the work of the Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission and the Alaska Judicial Council.

This is a flexibly-staffed position. The incumbent may be reclassified to a Research Analyst 3, range 18, upon successful completion of flex-staff criteria. Progression to the higher level may occur when the incumbent: 1) successfully completes a specific training plan; 2) meets all other specific terms of the flexible staffing agreement; 3) meets the minimum qualifications of the higher level; and 4) is certified by the supervisor as capable to perform at the higher level.

Regular duties will include:

• Identify and suggest relevant means of data collection and analysis related to criminal sentencing, criminal justice practices, and civil litigation;
• Plan and organize criminal and civil justice research projects with or without previously established procedures;
• Design and update databases for data entry;
• Transfer data from a variety of sources to an appropriate statistical software (e.g., Stata, R, SPSS, or others) for data analysis;
• Complete statistical analysis and draft reports explaining the results;
• Enter data, and train others to do same;
• Supervise data entry by clerical staff when directed by the AJC Executive Director;
• Attend meetings of the Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission and support Commission members with requested data, analysis, and explanations.

The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities. Please detail your experience in the following areas in the required cover letter.

• Knowledge of social science research methods, procedures, techniques and terminology used in research projects.
• Knowledge of statistical theory and techniques.
• Ability to gather, compile, and analyze research data and present reports and summaries in written, tabular, and graphic form.
• Experience maintaining statistical information while employing necessary data security and developing appropriate reporting procedures.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Experience coordinating the work of others.
• Experience working with a high degree of independence while maintaining collaborative relationships with other staff, council and commission members, and organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in a field involving quantitative research, statistical analysis, and data entry. Proficient in the use of MS Word, MS Excel, and SPSS, Strata, or similar statistical software.

Preferred: Three years of experience with statistical analysis and data collection, or a master's degree or higher in a field involving quantitative research. Social sciences research experience in a legal setting.

Additional Required Information

Please read the information below carefully.

This applies to your application submission.

Documents to be Attached to Your Application (REQUIRED):

• A professional cover letter (see instructions below).
• A current resume.
• Three (3) professional references who have had supervisory responsibility over you, along with daytime contact phone numbers.
• Post-secondary transcripts, if needed to meet minimum qualifications.
• A writing sample of up to 10 pages in length (see instructions below).

COVER LETTER
Please attach a professional cover letter to your application before submitting it online.

Your cover letter should:

1) Be professionally written and include proper format, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
2) Explain how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position.
3) Explain why you are the best candidate for the position.
4) Highlight your experience in relation to the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed under the "Job Description" section of this recruitment.

Your cover letter will be used to help determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. If you do not attach a professional cover letter, you may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

RESUME
Please attach a current resume to your online application.

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
Please provide a list of at least three professional references with current contact information.

WRITING SAMPLE
A professional writing sample not substantially edited by someone else should be attached to your application. The writing sample may be up to 10 pages in length, and demonstrate your ability to report results of statistical analysis to general audiences.

BACKGROUND CHECK
A background check will be conducted prior to an employment offer being made. Applicants who have prior convictions that have been set aside under the terms of a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) may answer "no" to these questions. If you are not sure if your situation requires disclosure, please contact Human Resources at (907) 264-8242. The Alaska Judicial Council reserves the right to confirm all background information.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applicants will be required to meet the Minimum Qualifications as outlined above. Unfortunately, we cannot always interview all applicants. If your application is considered "not qualified," you will be sent a notice within two weeks after the closing date for this recruitment. Qualified applications will be forwarded to the hiring supervisor.

WORK HISTORY
If using work experience not already documented in your application, provide the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment and whether full or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and Minimum Qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant will not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

EDUCATION
If post-secondary education is required to meet the Minimum Qualifications, you must fill in the Education and Training section of the application. Copies of academic transcripts will be required.

CAUTION
Research may involve reading about violent crime, including violence against children.

Contact Information

For more information on the Alaska Judicial Council, please visit:

http://www.ajc.state.ak.us