Program Assistant

Description

For nearly 40 years, the Center for Effective Public Policy has helped justice system professionals and their partners collaboratively identify and implement effective, evidence-based strategies that reduce harm and improve justice system outcomes. The Center’s staff and network of expert consultants have diverse qualifications and backgrounds in criminal justice planning, policy, and practice, particularly in pretrial justice, sentencing, probation, parole, and corrections. The Center’s main office is in Kensington, Maryland; the majority of Center staff work from home-based locations around the country. The Center’s projects are nationwide and address, among other topics: pretrial reform, evidence-based decision making, parole release decisions, campus sexual assault, dosage probation, and work supporting justice-involved women. The Center seeks to hire a Program Assistant to work full-time on a variety of our projects. This position can be home-based or based in the Center’s Kensington, Maryland office.

Job Responsibilities

The position of Program Assistant is an entry level programmatic role. Program Assistants provide administrative and limited subject matter support to projects and senior staff in the course of their day-to-day duties. This position is considered dynamic in the sense that Program Assistants are expected to devote efforts to expanding their knowledge of the criminal justice system, and their knowledge and understanding of criminal justice topics on which the Center provides regular consultation, training, and technical assistance. Program Assistants receive support designed to assist them in the development of their skills (e.g., effective written and oral communication, facilitation, training development and delivery) in order to prepare them to take on greater responsibility as Program Associates. They generally are assigned to several projects at a time.  The role of a Program Assistant varies somewhat depending on each initiative’s objectives.  However, the primary responsibilities of a Program Assistant include:

• Providing general support to Center staff and partners in their efforts to provide training and technical assistance to jurisdictions around the country.
• Working with administrative/programmatic staff and project partners to manage routine meeting planning duties (such as coordinating conference calls and/or webinars and/or identifying meeting facilities, managing registration, and coordinating material deadlines).
• Reviewing training and meeting materials developed by Center staff and consultants for consistency of appearance, formatting errors, and other editing functions.
• Providing on-site support at training events and meetings.
• Conducting topic specific research.
• Contributing to development and editing of original written products (including citation and reference checks). 
• Generating meeting notes and records as needed.
• Supporting the project management team by contributing to progress reports, attending project planning meetings, and helping to manage project information and data.

Qualifications 

• Bachelors degree required; a degree in criminal justice or similar area of expertise strongly preferred.
• Experience in the criminal justice field preferred.
• Experienced in Microsoft Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiar with technology/communication programs (e.g., WebEx, Zoom, Skype, Google).
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a virtual team. 
• Ability to work under pressure with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Highly collegial attitude and desire to work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel on occasion.

Compensation

$50-65,000, based on experience, with excellent benefits.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and a work sample to Leilah Gilligan, Senior Manager, at lgilligan@cepp.com. Please write “Program Assistant” in the subject heading. Cover letters should summarize your relevant experience, explain why you are interested in joining the Center, and include your preferred job location (Kensington, Maryland or home-based). Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by email if their applications are not accepted.  Applications received by February 1 will receive priority consideration. Please note that theCenter is also hiring for a Program Associate position.  Candidates should apply foreither, but not both, of these positions.

The Center for Effective Public Policy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.The Center values diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact, and depends on a diverse staff to carry out its mission.