Research Associate- Youth, Family & Community Development (YFCD)

AIR is seeking a Quantitative Research Associate focused on advancing justice and community safety to join our Youth, Family & Community Development (YFCD) Program Area within AIR's Human Services Division. AIR's work in justice systems is committed to transformative change that dismantles structural disparities. Our work spans the justice continuum-from prevention to intervention and reentry-and embeds community-based, restorative, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive approaches. We aim to address root causes of harm and trauma and promote safety, dignity, and thriving.

In support of this work, the selected candidate will apply a strengths-based, equity-focused perspective to work aimed at building evidence on equitable pathways to thriving for youth, adults, families, and communities. This includes an understanding of the potential of all people to thrive under the right conditions and with the right supports, as well as an orientation toward supportive and restorative, rather than punitive, approaches. Related topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Community violence prevention and intervention
• Juvenile and criminal justice diversion
• Community- and school-based restorative justice
• Alternatives to exclusionary discipline and disrupting the school to prison pipeline
• Youth engagement and re-engagement with school and work
• Mentoring (including credible messenger mentoring)
• Police accountability and reform
• Reimagining public safety systems
• Prison-based education and reentry supports

AIR is seeking candidates who are proficient in quantitative data analysis, with experience in collecting, organizing, and cleaning raw data from various sources, and performing statistical analysis and data visualization. Research associates work on a range of projects with clients in the nonprofit, government (federal, state, and local), and foundation sectors. Research associates primarily work on our research and evaluation work to understand, measure, and evaluate program and policy efforts. In addition, research associates have the opportunity to support technical assistance and communications work to apply and share the evidence base to support the use of research and evaluation findings and best practices in the field.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

Quantitative research associates are trained on-the-job to fulfill specific tasks and collaborate with and support project teams to meet project goals and prepare deliverables. The work varies by project scope and purpose and may include:

• Conducting quantitative data collection (e.g., surveys, administrative data).
• Building and managing quantitative datasets in collaborative settings.
• Analyzing quantitative data in flexible and rigorous ways.
• Summarizing and visualizing findings for project reports.
• Assisting in the identification, review, and development of scholarly information to inform and/or describe project findings and deliverables and proposals.
• Coordinating proposals and writing components of research design.
• Providing managerial support on projects (e.g., preparing materials, notetaking during meetings, budgeting and invoicing).

• Master's degree in such fields as economics, psychology, sociology, criminology, public policy, public health or other social science related fields, or Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 2 years of related experience.
• Experience compiling and analyzing large datasets, and familiarity with rigorous designs. Open to learning other software and methods as required by different projects.
• Experience working with data related to justice, public safety, or other human serving systems and ability to link data across multiple administrative sources (e.g., policing, probation, community violence) preferred, but not required.
• Experience working on rigorous research and evaluation studies including, randomized control trials, regression discontinuity, and quasi-experimental designs preferred, but not required.
• Experience with collaborative coding and producing clean, reproducible processes for analysis in team-based research preferred, but not required.
• Experience with data structures that require complex and creative data management (e.g., longitudinal, spatial, social network analysis, among others) preferred, but not required.

• Strong analysis skills, including proficiency with analytical software (e.g., R, Stata)
• Passionate about topics related to youth, family, and community development (see program area description above).
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment
• Comfortable working independently under supervision while committed to details and quality.
• Strong teamwork skills and positive contributor to team efficiency. Strong time management, organizational skills, and the ability to multitask and adapt based on project needs.
• Commitment to working in a culturally competent work environment.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:

AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an "@air.org" domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org.

If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.

Please note, each section of the application is required in order for you to be considered for this opportunity. If you do not complete the required screening questions, or if you close your browser before completing each section of the application, your application will not be submitted for this position. American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. American Institutes for Research's commitment to Diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations and work environment. Diversity is valued and Inclusion is reflected in all efforts to recruit, develop, and engage the diverse staff needed to accomplish our mission. ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone attboone@air.org or call 202.403.5000.