Washington, D.C.

Criminal Justice Research Fellow, Arnold Ventures

The Organization

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy whose core objective is to maximize opportunity and minimize injustice. We are dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing problems in the United States. We invest in sustainable change, building it from the ground up based on research, deep thinking, and a strong foundation of evidence. We drive public conversation, craft policy, and inspire action through education and advocacy.

Position Overview

Arnold Ventures’ Criminal Justice Initiative aims to advance community safety and the values of fairness, effectiveness, and racial justice. We fund innovative work in five domains: PolicingPretrial JusticeCommunity SupervisionPrisons, and Reintegration. The Initiative works with teams of experts from inside and outside government and across disciplines to reform the U.S. criminal justice system through research, evidence, testing innovative pilot programs, and policy change.

We are seeking a Criminal Justice Research Fellow to support the research team across the Policing, Pretrial Justice, and the Corrections portfolios to help research and analyze opportunities for high-impact philanthropic projects in the field of criminal justice. The Research Fellow will report to the Vice President of Criminal Justice Research who oversees the development of research investments and priorities across the Policing, Pretrial Justice, or Corrections portfolios in collaboration with the Criminal Justice team.

Core Responsibilities

  • Support the development and advancement of research agendas
  • Support the exploration of emerging issue areas with significant potential to advance justice reform
  • Review and summarize findings and lessons from research investments to inform strategies and research agendas
  • Support the development of potential research and policy advocacy projects in policing, pretrial justice, community supervision, prisons, and reintegration
  • Develop written content for internal purposes and processes, such as literature reviews and research summaries, issue briefs, and funding recommendation memos for concept notes and research proposals
  • Engage with the research team and support the routine operations of the team by coordinating internal discussions and meetings with external partners, documenting and supporting decision-making and action items, and carrying out project management duties

Required Qualifications

  • MA/MS required in a relevant field such as criminal justice or criminology, public policy, economics, sociology, political science, psychology, behavioral science, or other social sciences
  • 3 years of relevant work experience, preferably experience conducting policy-relevant research and evaluation projects on criminal justice issues
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to summarize research designs and research findings and communicate key takeaways to diverse, nontechnical audiences
  • Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in methods, statistics, and research designs and the use of rigorous research to support criminal justice reform
  • Exceptional project management and organizational skills

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help Arnold Ventures achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of Arnold Ventures’ work culture.

  • We have an established commitment to and passion for racial and social justice.
  • We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity.
  • We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback.
  • We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects.
  • We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals impacted by the justice system.

Arnold Ventures’ values are integral to our lived experience. They genuinely reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the Arnold Ventures team to make a difference.

  • Respect for Ourselves & Others
  • Audacious Action
  • Collaborative Engagement
  • Depth of Thought
  • Clear Communication

Arnold Ventures is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/​veteran status, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. 

Acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, Arnold Ventures is committed to employing individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences. Members of historically marginalized communities and candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply.

How To Apply

https://www.arnoldventures.org/careers/criminal-justice-research-fellow

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