ES-1530-07
Introduction
This position is located within the District of Columbia, Sentencing Commission. The mission of the District of Columbia Sentencing Commission is to implement, monitor, and support the District’s Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines, to promote fair and consistent sentencing policies, to increase public understanding of sentencing policies and practices, to evaluate the effectiveness of the guidelines system in order to recommend changes based on actual sentencing and corrections practice and research. The Counsel of the District of Columbia (the Council) established the Commission in 1998 to study sentencing practices and recommend criminal sentencing reforms.
The incumbent is responsible for providing subject-matter expertise in the area of statistical procedures, research design, data analysis, and data reporting, performing complex statistical data analysis, empirical research, developing and reporting research finding, and conducting research studies that involve both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The work also involves assisting management in planning complex projects and initiatives with various analyses, such as statistical and quantitative data analyses, reports, tools and techniques.
Major Duties
The D.C. Sentencing Commission is seeking a Statistician to analyze, evaluate and interpret felony sentencing and criminal justice data, as well as manage various research projects and studies related to sentencing practices in the District of Columbia. The Statistician will design and implement research studies, identify appropriate data for analysis, complete complex analyses, and present statistical findings/analysis to policy makers and/or the public in clear and concise oral and written manner. He or she will also provide subject-matter expertise in the areas of statistical analysis, criminal justice policy, and report writing. The Statistician will perform their duties under the supervision of the agency’s Research Director and Executive Director.
Qualifications/Education
Degree: that included 15 semester hours in statistics (or in mathematics and statistics, provided at least 6 semester hours were in statistics), and 9 additional semester hours in one or more of the following: physical or biological sciences, medicine, education, or engineering; or in the social sciences including demography, history, economics, social welfare, geography, international relations, social or cultural anthropology, health sociology, political science, public administration, psychology, etc. Credit toward meeting statistical course requirements should be given for courses in which 50 percent of the course content appears to be statistical methods, e.g., courses that included studies in research methods in psychology or economics such as tests and measurements or business cycles, or courses in methods of processing mass statistical data such as tabulating methods or electronic data processing.
or
Combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. The experience should have included a full range of professional statistical work such as (a) sampling, (b) collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data, and (c) applying statistical techniques such as measurement of central tendency, dispersion, skewness, sampling error, simple and multiple correlation, analysis of variance, and tests of significance.
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess a Master’s degree from an accredited university or college, plus a minimum of four (4) years of work-related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Applicants should be proficient in working with large datasets, have practical experience with quantitative statistics using a statistical software package (preferably SPSS), and experience presenting analytic findings at a policy level. Familiarity with criminal justice policies and data is preferred. Candidates should have substantial proven written and oral communication skills. A successful candidate should be able to produce high quality, publishable written reports and presentations with minimal supervision or assistance.
Ranking Factors
Ranking Factor 1
Knowledge of the Sentencing Commission’s mission, functions, organizational structure to effectively, accurately and expeditiously understand and meet the organization goals and objectives. A working knowledge of the DC Sentencing Guidelines, including how they are structured, applied and modified. Ability to articulate the purpose and role the Sentencing Guidelines play in felony sentencing in the District. Comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system
Ranking Factor 2
Experience in Research Project Management, including designing research studies, setting goals and objectives, developing timelines, and identifying deliverables. Experience in selecting the most appropriate statistical analysis/ model from numerous options and the ability to defend that selection. The ability to present complex statistical findings to policy makers that both inform and elicits feedback on study findings. Proven ability to take very specific findings and apply them at a broader policy level.
Ranking Factor 3
Working knowledge of and practical experience in working with ”R”, “Python, or other similar statistical software. Proven skill and experience working with and manipulating large databases, including merging databases, developing advance statistical queries and analysis, verifying data and analysis output. Computer literacy and proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Ranking Factor 4
Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in a clear concise manner to coordinate work, prepare reports and presentations, interact with peer staff and management, and present data and concepts. Previous experience in authoring and producing research reports for policy makers. Ability to effectively interact with staff within the office and agency, District government officials and employees, private sector, federal government, and the general public.
Working Conditions/Environment
Work is performed in an office setting. The incumbent may, however, be required to visit staff at other government, public, and private agencies. The work includes everyday risks and discomfort normally found in offices, conference rooms, libraries, and ventilated nonsmoking office environments. Some travel may be required. Attendance at designated scheduled meetings is mandatory.
Licenses and Certifications
None
Other Significant Facts
Tour of Duty: Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Pay Plan, Series, Grade: ES-1530-07
Salary Range: $93,188 - $139,778
Promotional Potential: No known promotion potential
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.
Position Designation(s): This job is designated as “Security” sensitive due to the position’s duties and responsibilities. Security sensitive positions are positions of special trust that may be reasonably expected to affect the access to or control of activities, systems, or resources that are subject to misappropriation, malicious mischief, damage, or loss or impairment of control of communication.
Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.
The District of Columbia government maintains a drug free work environment policy. All District employees are subject to post-accident/incident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, homeless status, and/or victims or family members of victims of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking.
Interested Applicants should submit resume and cover letter to:
Mia Hebb, Executive Assistant
DC Sentencing Commission
441 4th Street, Suite 430S
Washington, DC 20001
[email protected]