DEPT OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS

Central Office/Continuous Improvement
100 N. 15th Ave Suite 103
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

https://adjc.az.gov/

Hiring Range: $51,625.00 - $72,099.00 - $92,573.00*

*Salary dependent upon experience and education and/or other qualifying factors

Grade: 23

Closing Date: 04/09/25

The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) is seeking a Research Unit Manager to work within the Continuous Improvement Bureau. With direction from the Bureau Administrator, this position plays a multifaceted role in overseeing and guiding a team of analysts involved in statistical, evaluation, research, and policy projects.  With expertise in research methodology and statistics, the manager plans and sets project standards, provides guidance and training, and reviews/corrects work products.  At times, they collaborate with various internal and external work groups.  

They ensure research integrity and quality through general oversight and by defining the scope, methodology, and evaluation criteria.  The manager also allocates staff and resources, assesses capabilities, assigns roles for optimal performance, and provides constructive feedback on work products.  They provide technical and supervisory guidance, including sound methodologies, statistical techniques, data handling with software like SPSS, SQL, Access, and Tableau, Microsoft/Google tools, as well as policy creation and management.

In addition to their supervisory responsibilities, the Research Unit Manager actively contributes to and produces research and policy projects of varying complexity and scale. Their contributions as a researcher, along with their management and supervision of others, are instrumental in ensuring the success and impact of the unit.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

Knowledge of:

-Strong understanding of research methodology and statistical analysis

-Policy analysis and evaluation techniques

-Familiarity with data extraction, interpretation, and presentation methods

-Proficiency in relevant software and tools such as SPSS, SQL, Access, Tableau and Microsoft/Google applications

-Understanding of research ethics and integrity

-Criminal justice and corrections theory and practice

Skill in:

-Excellent leadership and supervision skills

-Effective communication and interpersonal skills

-Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

-Strong organizational and time management skills

-Attention to detail and ability to maintain high-quality standards

-Analytical skills for reviewing and evaluating research work

-Collaboration and teamwork skills.

Ability to:

-Ability to guide and mentor a team of analysts effectively

-Capacity to set and enforce standards for studies and projects

-Resource allocation and management abilities

-Technical expertise in research methodologies and statistical techniques

-Capability to assess and provide constructive feedback on work products

-Strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement capabilities

-Ability to compile and analyze data to produce statistics, graphics, and written reports

-Capacity to contribute to research projects and policy development.

The ideal candidate will possess a Master’s degree or higher and experience in managing and conducting research.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function on the job, then the following requirements apply.  Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license records checks.  The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended.  Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all driver training.  An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.010).

All newly hires State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify)

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a comprehensive background investigation.

Current State of Arizona employees: In order to be considered for this position, it requires acceptable performance history as demonstrated by not have been issued a letter of suspension or have been involuntarily demoted within one year preceding this job posting close date, and have an overall rating of “meets expectations” or higher on the most recent employee performance evaluation.

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

-Affordable medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability plans

-Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans

-10 paid holidays per year

-Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years

-Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly

-Deferred Compensation Program

-Wellness Plans

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

This position participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

- New membership begins the 27th week of employment
- Immediately vested in retirement contributions
- Defined Benefit

Attention current State of Arizona employees: Please contact our Human Resources Office at employment@azdjc.gov if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Persons with a disability may request reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602)364-1023.  Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.