Research & Data Analyst

RESEARCH & DATA ANALYST

The Indigent Defense Commission and Utah Office of Indigent Defense Services are seeking a Research & Data Analyst to collaborate in implementing research policies, objectives, and initiatives for the Commission to evaluate the delivery of indigent criminal defense services throughout the state.

The Research and Data Analyst provides a critical role in the Commission's small staff. An ideal candidate will have an understanding of indigent criminal defense, excellent oral and written communication skills, experience in research, program development, data collection, and analysis, including the ability to standardize diverse data to analyze, and the ability to translate any analysis into clear explanations. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively is essential.

BACKGROUND: The Utah Legislature established the Utah Indigent Defense Commission to assist state in meeting its obligation to provide indigent criminal defense services consistent with the Federal and State Constitutions, and Utah statutes. The Executive Director of the Commission must maintain in staff an individual with data collection and analysis skills to carry out the duties outlined in Utah Code § 78B-22-404. Those duties include:

• Identifying and collecting data regarding indigent criminal defense systems for the Commission to:
  • review compliance by criminal defense systems of minimum principles for effective representation;
    
  • establish procedures for the collection and analysis of the data; &
    
  • provide reports regarding the operation of the commission and the provision of indigent criminal defense services by each indigent criminal defense system;
• Developing and overseeing advisory caseload principles;
• Reviewing contracts for the provision of indigent criminal defense services;
• Reviewing compliance with minimum principles for effective representation;
• Providing guidance to come into compliance with minimum principles for effective representation;

POSITION DETAILS & COMMITMENT

• Salary – $39.00 - $52.00/hr
• FT/PT Status – Full-Time
• Work Format – Hybrid (At least two days in person – 370 E South Temple, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT 84111)
• Schedule Code – AC - Employees in Offices of Elected Officials
• Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.
• Application Deadline – 6:00 PM (MDT) on May 10, 2026

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work collaboratively to identify and set research priorities.
• Identify, collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data from various sources regarding the delivery of indigent defense systems.
• Clean and standardize large quantities of data for analysis.
• Draft narratives based on data analysis.
• Present research and data analysis to the Executive Director, the Commission, and community partners.
• Work collaboratively to facilitate the publication of Commission materials in a timely manner.
• Assist indigent defense system managers to collect and present system-specific data.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to complete additional required tasks.
• Identify additional information and develop evaluation methods that will facilitate the Commission's ability to fulfill its statutory duties.

THE IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Research design and methodology skills and training (both quantitative and qualitative).
• Familiarity with performance evaluation methods.
• Skill using software, including data analysis/retrieval tools, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, word processing.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to apply correct research procedure to data collection efforts.
• Ability to conduct in-person interviews using accepted research techniques and skills.
• Ability to convey data and other technical information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to collect, clean, and analyze data, both quantitative and qualitative.
• Familiarity with state or local government operations and or court systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a small team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and stakeholders.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN OUR TEAM

The Utah Indigent Defense Commission is a fast-paced, dynamic office staffed with a hard-working passionate team with diverse experiences and expertise. Working in this office will give you direct hands-on experience and allow you the opportunity to play a critical role in supporting public defenders state-wide. This is a job with the capacity to grow with your professional skills, capabilities, and commitment. This job will grow your professional skills and capabilities. The State of Utah offers a highly competitive benefits package. Click HERE to review.

WHO WE ARE – The Utah Indigent Defense Commission

IDC’s mission is to protect constitutionally guaranteed liberties through ongoing support for effective indigent defense services throughout the state. The Commission collaborates with the state, local governments, indigent defense providers, and other stakeholders to:

• provide guidance and standards for systems to ensure and oversee local defense services;
• gather and report information about local indigent defense services;
• award state funding to local governments to improve local indigent defense services;
• encourage and aid in the regionalization of indigent defense services throughout the state; and
• expand continuing legal education opportunities for indigent defense attorneys.

EEO Statement
The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.

Recruiter - Sarah Humphries; shumphries@utah.gov