Field Research Observer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Company Description
Job Description
ABOUT THE OFFICE:
The Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) advises the Mayor of the City of New York on criminal justice policy. MOCJ develops and implements strategies, with partners inside and outside government, to reduce crime and incarceration and to promote fairness and legitimacy. MOCJ works with law enforcement, city agencies, non-profits, foundations, and others to implement data-driven strategies that address current crime conditions, prevent offending, and build the strong neighborhoods that ensure enduring safety.
The Research Innovation Policy team drives the development and effective implementation of precision public health and public safety initiatives. Drawing on evidence-based and community-based insights, the Research Innovation operates through four main pillars: data-driven policy development, evaluation, quality assurance, and interagency coordination.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
Reporting into the Director of Policy Metrics, and as part of the Policy Unit, the Field Research Manager is responsible for leading the design, execution, and analysis of field-based data collection, analysis, and report writing that informs policy relating to public health and public safety among justice-involved people. The role centers on managing field operations end to end developing data collection protocols and both qualitative and quantitative instruments, training and supervising field staff, and ensuring the quality, integrity, and ethical handling of data gathered in community and justice settings. It extends into analyzing that data to surface meaningful patterns and findings, coordinating across the agencies, providers, justice-involved people, and community partners, and communicating results in clear, compelling ways that inform policy and align partners around shared goals. The successful candidate must be organized, adaptable, and comfortable leading people and projects in dynamic, real-world environments where conditions change and problems must be solved on the ground.
The Field Research Manager's responsibilities include but are not limited to:
-Lead the planning and execution of field data collection efforts, including surveys, interviews, and observational studies conducted in community and justice settings.
-Recruit, train, supervise, and support field research staff, ensuring consistent, high-quality data collection across sites and teams.
-Develop and refine data collection protocols, instruments, and field procedures that balance rigor with real-world feasibility.
-Ensure the integrity and quality of field data through monitoring, quality checks, and timely resolution of issues as they arise.
-Analyze field-collected data using appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods to surface meaningful patterns, findings, and insights.
-Oversee participant recruitment, retention, and scheduling, including thoughtful engagement of justice-involved and other marginalized populations.
-Ensure ethical compliance throughout field work, including informed consent, confidentiality, and adherence to IRB and other applicable protocols.
-Coordinate across agencies, service providers, and community partners to align field efforts, share findings, and keep collaborative initiatives moving toward shared goals.
-Build and maintain relationships with field sites, agency partners, community organizations, and justice-involved participants.
-Communicate field findings clearly to varied audiences, translating data and analysis into reports, messaging and stories that inform policy and partners.
-Track progress against timelines, targets, and budgets, and troubleshoot logistical and operational challenges in the field.
-Coordinate closely with analytic and research staff to ensure field-collected data meets study needs and translates into actionable insights.
-Prepare insights for publication or for internal use as appropriate.
**PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR RESUME AND COVER LETTER SPECIFIC TO THIS POSITION
RESEARCH PROJECTS COOR(MA)-MGR - 0527A
Qualifications
1. Do you have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university?
2. Do you have an associate degree from an accredited college or university along with two (2) years of experience with administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory or liaison responsibilities?
3. Do you have a four-year high school diploma, or its educational equivalent approved by a state's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization along with four (4) years of experience as described in question "2" above?
4. Do you have a satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to that described in questions "1," "2," and/or "3" above?
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.