Data Architect - NYC Criminal Justice Agency

DATA ARCHITECT

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

POSTED: 10/11/2024

Are you interested in using data to reduce unnecessary pretrial detention in NYC? 

Join our team of professionals seeking to improve the experience of justice involved individuals in the NYC Courts! 

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) is a not-for-profit service and research organization that operates in partnership with the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice.  CJA is the City's main pretrial services agency, combining operations, pilot projects, and research under one roof.  CJA utilizes procedural justice practices to provide pretrial services to over 100,000 persons arrested annually in New York City. Information collected about these arrestees and subsequent case processing is maintained in the agency's internal and externally shared database systems, which are used to conduct descriptive and evaluation research on arrestee characteristics, case processing and court outcomes, and on issues and potential reforms to criminal justice policy in New York City. CJA's programs operate in the criminal courts and detention facilities 24 hours a day seven days a week within the 5 boroughs of NYC, employing over 280 employees, citywide.

Program Summary

NYCJA's Information Technology team provides strategic vision, leadership, and innovative solutions so that our 280+ staff at 13 locations have the trusted data and applications they need to provide high quality pretrial services and research.  IT staff have a strong customer focus, partnering with business units and stakeholders to pilot new programs, and create custom applications with an eye towards future business needs.   Our dedicated professionals meet challenges head-on by being flexible, expecting change and supporting each other in a culture of mutual respect, trust and teamwork that encourages personal and professional growth. 

Position Summary

CJA is a uniquely positioned organization dedicated to reducing pre-trial detention. With a long-established history in pre-trial services, research, and a strong focus on data-driven solutions, CJA seeks a highly skilled and experienced Data Architect to support large-scale projects. This individual will have a strong background in Microsoft Azure and SQL Server to design and implement robust, scalable, and high-performance data architectures for the organization. The ideal candidate will facilitate the growth of CJA's data offerings while building a robust and future-ready data and analytics platform. They will possess strong analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. The candidate should be able to understand business requirements and translate them into technical specifications. The ability to learn quickly and adapt in a complex technical environment is crucial, as is the capacity to work independently and take initiative.

Key Responsibilities:

Data Architecture Design:

• Design and implement data architecture solutions using Microsoft Azure Data Services (e.g., Azure SQL Database, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics) to support business needs and strategic goals.
• Develop and maintain logical and physical data models using SQL Server, ensuring data quality, integrity, and consistency.
• Define data standards, guidelines, and best practices for managing data across on-premises and cloud environments.

Azure Data Solutions:

• Architect, implement, and manage cloud-based data solutions using Azure services, including data storage, processing, and analytics.
• Create and manage data pipelines, orchestrating data workflows using Azure Data Factory.
• Implement data security, access controls, and monitoring using Azure Security Center and other Azure tools.

SQL Server Management & Optimization:

• Oversee the design, management, and optimization of SQL Server databases to ensure high performance and availability.
• Develop and implement data partitioning, indexing, and optimization strategies for efficient data retrieval and storage.
• Implement backup, restore, and disaster recovery strategies for SQL Server environments.

Data Flow Integration:

• Lead data integrations by combining data from multiple stakeholders to create operational and strategic reporting.
• Work with the existing platform and Azure cloud solutions to design and implement ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) workflows.
• Manage data integration, migration, and transformation processes to ensure seamless data flow between systems.
• Collaborate with data engineers and business stakeholders to define data mapping and transformation rules.

Collaboration & Communication:

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including researchers, data scientists, analysts, and business leaders, to define data requirements and translate them into actionable data solutions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other members of the data team.

Emerging Technologies & Innovation:

• Stay current with emerging data technologies, tools, and industry trends, particularly in the Azure ecosystem.
• Evaluate and recommend new tools and platforms within the Azure suite to enhance data architecture and overall analytics capabilities.

Ownership & Accountability:

• Ensure the high availability, accessibility, and accuracy of data for the agency.
• Lead data governance initiatives to ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and standards.
• Oversee the staff, ensuring effective management and alignment with organizational goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field.
• 8-10 years of experience working as a Data Architect, Data Engineer, or in a similar role with a focus on Azure Data Services and SQL Server.
• Strong expertise in SQL Server database management, including design, optimization, and performance tuning.
• Experience with Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Data Lake.
• Strong knowledge of data modeling, ETL development, and data integration using SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).
• Familiarity with data governance, data quality, and data security frameworks within Azure environments.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex business requirements into technical solutions.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools and data science platforms within the Azure ecosystem.

Our ideal candidate has their primary experience (8-10 years) in Data Architecture specific roles and will be able to innovate high level solutions for our team.

LOCATION: Lower Manhattan 

SALARY: $115k-$135k

Note: This is a hybrid role: 3 days in office Tuesday thru Thursday and 2 days remote Monday and Friday. This schedule is subject to change due to departmental needs. 

*Internal Applicants must be in their current role for at least 1 year and currently in good standing (no disciplinary action within last 90 days) to be eligible to apply.

CJA VALUES  

Each employee at CJA is guided by these values in our work: 

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluates different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention. 
• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families. 
• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention. 

BENEFITS: CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) plan, four weeks' vacation, paid holidays, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions.  CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development. 

Only those candidates being considered will be contacted.

CJA is seeking applicants who pursue professional development pathways by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and engaging with professional associations.

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.