Remote Writer / Researcher / Editor wanted | $35 to $45 per hour

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: PRISON POLICY INITIATIVE

Deadline: 25 July 2022

Do you want to help produce cutting-edge research to expose the harm of mass incarceration? Are you ready to quickly plug into our fast-paced, results-driven publication process and behind-the-scenes advocacy support work, covering a broad range of issue areas related to the criminal legal system?

The Prison Policy Initiative (https://www.prisonpolicy.org) is a leading organization in the fight against mass incarceration. We use data to explain the need for criminal justice reform, and we do so in a way that is designed to both bring in new allies and re-energize existing supporters. (For a high level overview of our work, our history, and our impact, see our highly skimmable annual reports (https://www.prisonpolicy.org/about.html#annual).

THE POSITION:

This part-time, contract position will provide the organization with flexible additional research, writing, and (ideally) editing capacity. Working primarily within the Research department, the ideal candidate would also be comfortable supporting, if needed, projects led by senior staff across our other areas of work.

The position will include a mix of collecting and organizing quantitative data from government datasets and open records requests, locating specific policy information across jurisdictions, and more qualitative work based on existing academic and journalistic research. The researcher/writer/editor will be expected to quickly learn new subject matter, collect/organize/interpret the necessary data, identify and solve problems, and write/edit documents for a range of internal and external audiences (primarily for a broad public audience), using our established style, workflows, and processes.

An ideal candidate is likely to have experience as a journalist, researcher, and/or policy analyst, and will already be quite familiar with our work. A schedule that will regularly allow for at least 15 hours/week (with an expected range between 12-24 hours per week) is required. We anticipate needing this level of availability through at least December 2022. It is possible, but not yet planned, that this could provide a transition path to a permanent, full-time position at some point in 2023 for the right candidate.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research related to policy; of particular relevance is research conducted in support of advocacy work. While our work rarely requires advanced quantitative analysis skills, proficiency using Excel is expected and comfort using R and/or Python for analysis of large datasets is ideal. Extremely helpful but not required are an understanding of research methods, familiarity with criminal legal system and/or Census Bureau data sources, and experience with public records requests.
• Because this work requires criminal legal system expertise, we also require 1+ year(s) of paid or volunteer, part- or full-time, experience working for criminal justice reform in an advocacy, academic, jailhouse lawyer, journalistic, or government capacity.
• Strong writing skills, especially for a public audience; ideally, professional experience guiding and editing publications by other authors.
• A reputation for meticulous work.
• Familiarity with the Prison Policy Initiative’s work.
• Experience working on a contract basis is a plus.
• Our staff all work remotely, so clear communication and careful coordination are essential skills.
• Able to start no later than Sept. 1, 2022.

We are an equal opportunity employer. People from communities that are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and people with direct experience with the criminal justice system are especially encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION

The expected compensation for this hourly contract position is in the range of $35-45/hour, depending on experience and availability. No additional benefits are included.

To apply, send to jobs [at] prisonpolicy.org:

• A cover letter that highlights your relevant experience and includes your required hourly rate and how many hours per week you expect to be available
• Your resume
• At least two writing samples
• Hiring process

Because we hope to make a decision about this position and onboard a hire quickly, we will be reviewing applications and scheduling interviews only until July 25.

Please allow us to keep our daily focus on improving the criminal justice system by refraining from writing or calling the office to check on the status of your application. We’ll keep our careers page at https://www.prisonpolicy.org/jobs.html up to date with the status of our candidate search.

JOB SUMMARY:

• Looking for: Researcher / Writer / Editor
• Location: Our staff all work remotely
• Compensation: 35-45/hour, depending on experience and availability

CONTACT INFORMATION (please do not share the email address publicly):

Questions / applications:  jobs@prisonpolicy.org

Website: https://www.prisonpolicy.org

* * * * * * * * * *

LOOKING FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES? Find additional jobs on Extra. Check out the upcoming deadlines on our PLUS+ Calendar. Filter the listings by category (worldwide opportunities, high-paying leads, paying publications, and non-pitching jobs). Use the search form on the homepage to find opportunities relevant to your interests.

DO NOT WANT TO RECEIVE EMAILS FROM PATREON? Go to your email settings and turn off the unwanted notifications. Want more tips? Read the welcome notes here.