Deputy Program Director, Special Projects (Remote or Hybrid) - Council of State Governments

Who we are:

The Council of State Governments Justice Center works across the country to develop research-driven strategies to increase public safety and strengthen communities. To further this mission, we work with partners inside and outside of government to reduce crime and incarceration among youth and adults in contact with the justice system. We bring people from diverse systems and perspectives together to improve policy and practice. And we transform data and research findings into meaningful insights for decision-makers.

We're focused on three strategic goals:

• Break the cycle of incarceration.
• Advance health, opportunity, and equity.
• Use data to improve safety and justice.

When you join the CSG Justice Center, you join an organization that is uniquely positioned to cultivate innovation and drive data-driven reform nationally. We have over 170 employees based in more than 30 states who have decades of experience working in and with criminal, juvenile, and Tribal justice agencies. We have provided housing, mental health, and addiction services; served as educators and in workforce development agencies; and supported victims and survivors of crime. We have served governors, state legislators, and members of Congress on both sides of the political spectrum. What binds us together is a shared commitment to our mission; to one another; to a common set of values; and to the national, bipartisan advisory board that guides our work.

Learn more about careers at the CSG Justice Center.

How you'll fit in:

The deputy program director, special projects, will serve as an integral leader in the CSG Justice Center's Behavioral Health Division and will be responsible for overseeing a diverse portfolio of projects at the intersection of justice, health, and housing. This leader will oversee the strategic direction, quality, and impact of a range of projects, including providing training and technical assistance (TTA) to states, counties, and municipalities; development, delivery, and evaluation of profession-specific training; and conceptualization and execution of briefs and other products for a range of policymakers, practitioners, and community members. Funding for these initiatives comes from a range of federal, state, local, and philanthropic sources.

What you'll do:

Specific responsibilities of the deputy program director, special projects include the following:

• Provide leadership, including strategic guidance and quality assurance, to teams doing TTA projects to bring innovative and research-based strategies to state and local policymakers.
• Supervise staff to ensure the quality and timeliness of projects and deliverables.
• Oversee the training and skill development of more junior staff, including ensuring that staff are aware of the most up-to-date research and policy literature for relevant areas.
• Ensure coordination across the team and with other deputy program directors, project managers, and other team members as appropriate.
• Collaborate with senior staff to develop long-range strategies to incubate and execute projects in the Behavioral Health Division.
• Support the development of funding proposals and other strategies to engage new and ongoing funding for the team.
• Monitor timelines, budgets, and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities to funders are met.
• Coordinate with funders, external partners, and the team to ensure deliverables meet the needs of the field and grantees.
• Manage relationships with external partners and subawardees, including working with the operations, finance, and grant teams to ensure contracts are executed and deliverables are met.
• Ensure that senior staff are aware of relevant initiative developments and that other work in the field is leveraged for the advancement of the portfolio's goals.

What you'll bring:

• Ability to interact effectively with diverse people in different contexts and foster equity and inclusion through self-awareness, cultural sensitivity, and valuing others
• Dedication to public service with an unfailing commitment to act with civility, be nonpartisan in performing CSG Justice Center duties, and be a responsible steward of member and donor funds
• At least seven years of work experience in the criminal justice field, including four years of management or leadership experience, and/or educational equivalency in a related field, such as counseling, criminal justice, law, psychology, public health, or social work
• Expertise on the key policy and practice issues at the intersection of criminal justice, behavioral health, and homelessness
• Experience overseeing or providing technical assistance and developing policy guidance
• A commitment to providing supervision for a team of staff, including supporting their technical assistance activities, development of policy guidance, and tracking deliverables to ensure they are completed on time and at a high quality
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a way that is accessible to a range of audiences, including policymakers and practitioners
• Willingness to travel approximately once per month to deliver technical assistance on site in states across the country
• Ability to work remotely with autonomy, understand technology, and effectively communicate across platforms
• Ability to supervise people who also may work remotely or in a different office
• Reliable and secure internet/data connection and flexibility for using a personal device for internet connectivity during business travel (a cost offset is provided by the CSG Justice Center)

How you apply:

If you're interested in helping us drive change across the country, you must upload the following elements with your application:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume (this should include a comprehensive list of related professional, internship, and volunteer experience with applicable dates)

We will consider all paid and unpaid experience relative to this position, including internships, fellowships, and volunteer activities.

CSG believes that pay equity and pay transparency advance workplace fairness. Compensation will be equitable and based on experience and geography. The salary range for this position is $91,000 – $131,000 per year. Salary ranges are subject to change based on work location and market conditions.

Our organization offers flexibility in work arrangements, allowing for remote work or a hybrid model. Candidates residing in the NYC metropolitan area will be considered for hybrid model employment.

To learn more about careers at the CSG Justice Center, and about our comprehensive benefit offerings, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, PSLF eligibility and more, please visit our website here.

We welcome and value diversity in our staff, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, educational attainment, disability, protected veteran status, and personal experience with the criminal justice system.

CSG is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. CSG participates in E-Verify.