Overview

Who we are:

The Council of State Governments Justice Center works across the country to develop research-driven strategies to increase public safety and strengthen communities. To further this mission, we work with partners inside and outside of government to reduce crime and incarceration among youth and adults in contact with the justice system. We bring people from diverse systems and perspectives together to improve policy and practice. And we transform data and research findings into meaningful insights for decision-makers.

We’re focused on three strategic goals:

  • Break the cycle of incarceration.
  • Advance health, opportunity, and equity.
  • Use data to improve safety and justice.

When you join the CSG Justice Center, you join an organization that is uniquely positioned to cultivate innovation and drive data-driven reform nationally. We have approximately 120 employees-expected to grow to about 150 by the end of this year-based in more than 20 states who have decades of experience working in and with criminal, juvenile, and Tribal justice agencies. We have provided housing, mental health, and addiction services; served as educators and in workforce development agencies; and supported victims and survivors of crime. We have served governors, state legislators, and members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum. What binds us together is a shared commitment to our mission; to one another; to a common set of values; and to the national, bipartisan advisory board that guides our work.

Learn more about careers at the CSG Justice Center.

How you’ll fit in:

Working as part of the CSG Justice Center’s Behavioral Health Division, Law Enforcement (LE) Team and reporting to the deputy division director, the project manager will be responsible for providing technical assistance (TA) and leading projects to enhance collaboration between LE, other criminal justice agencies, and behavioral health agencies. The person in this position will oversee all aspects of managing the National Support Centers (the Center for Justice and Mental Health (MH) Partnerships and the LE-MH Collaboration Support Center), manage the response teams assigned to the centers, and ensure that all reporting, data collection, and documentation are current. The project manager will work closely with subcontractors conducting work with the LE team and ensure that contracts are in place and product deliverables are on track for completion with all benchmarks and milestones clearly identified. The project manager will directly oversee the LE-MH Learning Sites, including the management of the schedule and agenda of quarterly calls with those sites. The project manager will also provide supervision, guidance, and mentoring to the policy analyst assigned to the learning sites and to senior policy analysts and policy analysts assigned to the LE team. The project manager will work with minimal direction and supervision and will work closely with other project managers, directors, and deputy program directors across the division. This position offers significant responsibility and opportunity for growth to an individual seeking to advance a career in criminal justice and LE policy with a focus on behavioral health.

What you’ll do:

Specific responsibilities of the project manager include the following:

  • Provide TA to behavioral health agencies, LE-MH learning sites, the National Support Centers, and LE agencies receiving federal grants.
  • Cultivate relationships across stakeholders involved with each grant program.
  • Coordinate, lead, and document site visits; conduct outreach and visits to LE-MH learning sites.
  • Maintain regular communication with grantees.
  • Provide guidance and resources to assist grantees in meeting their program goals.
  • Contribute to the development and facilitation of grantee training activities, such as webinars and online learning communities.
  • Plan and participate in policy-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, advocates, and national experts.
  • Lead the conceptualization and development of written products, including policy briefs, research memos, and presentations that concisely and clearly describe complex analyses and policy options to policymakers.
  • Lead efforts to conceptualize and create TA tools and products, including explanatory guides, planning tools and worksheets, data dashboards, analytic tools, and more.
  • Independently monitor timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met in assigned project areas.
  • Research new funding opportunities, write sections of grant proposals occasionally, draft reports to funders, and serve as a resource to funding agencies.
  • Ensure that senior staff and CSG Justice Center colleagues, consultants, or funders are aware of relevant project developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of project goals.

What you’ll bring:

  • Ability to interact effectively with diverse people in different contexts and foster equity and inclusion through self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, and valuing others
  • Dedication to public service with an unfailing commitment to act with civility, be nonpartisan in performing CSG Justice Center duties, and be a responsible steward of member and donor funds
  • Six years of policy design, analysis, implementation experience in the fields of law, behavioral health, criminal justice, health and housing/homelessness and/or equivalent educational achievements
  • Excellent research, writing, and editing skills and strong critical and strategic thinking skills
  • Experience with performance measurement, research/evaluation, and data analysis
  • Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health policy, criminal justice policy, CIT programs, LE, and housing and homelessness policy at the state and local levels
  • Demonstrated success working in the policy arena in policy formulation, analysis, advocacy, research, or the like
  • Ability to draw connections between seemingly disparate programs or projects
  • Quick learner with demonstrated ability to work effectively in multiple settings and sectors
  • Demonstrated success managing relationships with funders and/or external partners
  • Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise, accessible way
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including maturity, an ability to work independently and in a team setting and a sense of humor
  • Efficient, organized work style and an ability to prioritize quickly and confidently and manage multiple deadlines
  • Willingness to travel, occasionally several times per month

How you apply:

If you’re interested in helping us drive change across the country, upload the following elements with your application:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Resume
  3. Writing sample
  4. At least three professional references

We will consider all paid and unpaid experience relative to this position, including internships, fellowships, and volunteer activities.

CSG believes that pay equity and pay transparency advance workplace fairness. Compensation will be equitable and based on experience and geography. The NYC-based salary range for this position is $85,360- $125,186. The starting salary for this position outside of NYC may be as low as $76,500. Salary ranges are subject to change based on work location and market conditions.

Learn more about careers at the CSG Justice Center.

We welcome and value diversity in our staff, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, educational attainment, disability, protected veteran status, and personal experience with the criminal justice system.

CSG is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. CSG participates in E-Verify.

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