RESEARCH SCIENTIST II

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Human Services has partnered with the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of deflection programs across Illinois. These programs represent a collaborative initiative involving the Illinois Department of Human Services, TASC, and the Illinois State Police, providing deflection and diversion alternatives for individuals with substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or other challenges who come into contact with law enforcement. To lead this important evaluation and supervise junior project staff, ICJIA is seeking an experienced research and project manager. The ideal candidate will possess strong social science research expertise and proven project management skills.    

Essential Functions

• Plans and executes research, program evaluation, and project management activities of a technical and scientific nature to advance knowledge and programming in areas such as criminology, specifically law enforcement deflection and diversion; public and behavioral health, victim studies, and violence prevention in the state of Illinois
• Performs on-site data collection, cleaning, and analysis of complex, scientific and technical data
• Disseminates scientific and technical data and reports
• Establishes and maintains work-related professional contacts with internal and external entities including researchers and other professionals such as university and community organizations

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a master’s degree in anthropology, behavioral science, computer science, data science, demography, information science, library science, mathematics, psychology, public health, public policy, sociology, criminal justice, criminology, statistics, or a related science; OR requires admission into a Ph.D. program in anthropology, behavioral science, computer science, data science, demography, information science, library science, mathematics, psychology, public health, public policy, sociology, criminal justice, criminology, statistics, or a related science.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers 1 year of experience performing scientific research or program evaluation using scientific research methods
• Prefers 1 year of experience preparing reports (planning, writing, analyzing data, interpreting data) on independent and origianl scientific research
• Prefers 1 year of experience using specialized statistical computer software (like SPSS, R) and working with large datasets
• Prefers 1 year of experience managing research studies or program evaluations and leading a project tem of junior staff
• Prefers 1 year of experience delivering presentations to various professional and lay groups
• Prefers 1 year of experience maintaining and guiding working relationships wit other researchers, professionals, and various other agency staff

Conditions of Employment

• Requires proper documentation for approved work in the United States
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• Requires a valid and current driver’s license
• Requires ability to pass a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

ICJIA responds to community needs with research and federal and state grants administration. ICJIA administers over 100 million dollars in grants, including the R3 (restore, reinvest, renew) grants (funded through the tax on legalized cannabis), state violence prevention grants, and federal grants including under the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Crime Act. ICJIA convenes groups and collaborates on efforts to reform the criminal justice system. ICJIA leads criminal justice reform efforts by supporting policy makers through research.