Research Analyst

General Overview

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is seeking a full time Research Analyst. The Research Analyst will assist the CCSO’s Director of Research in producing specific, timely and data-driven analyses on various operations throughout the CCSO, including the individuals in custody (IICs) at the CCDOC, staffing, law enforcement operations, and other CCSO initiatives, policies, and programs.

Under the guidance of the Director of Research, the Research Analyst will work directly with various department heads within the CCSO employ data for the purposes of developing and guiding CCSO policies and strategies. The Research Analyst will assist in collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data related to Sheriff’s initiatives in the Department of Corrections, Sheriff’s Police, and Court Services.

The Research Analyst will be responsible for performing specialized administrative work which may include a wide range of administrative duties and must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of various aspects of CCSO operations. 

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Prepares statistical reports and analyses as needed to aid with the development of policies to address specific needs of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Performs on-going analyses of IIC data (individuals in custody) and develops reports/research bulletins describing the characteristics of the jail’s IIC population, tracking, and analyzing changes in these characteristics over time. 

Performs on-going analyses related to classification, inmate housing needs and facility management.   

Assists with evaluations of Cook County Sheriff’s Office programs, including grant funded programs, to improve or expand programs over time.

Conducts analyses on data from the Circuit Court of Cook County, other stakeholders in the County’s criminal justice system, data from local law enforcement agencies, Cermak Health Services, and Cook County Medical Examiner to document how decisions and operations of systems external to the jail may impact or overlap with the population and operation of the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Researches and analyzes data relating to law enforcement strategies. Participates in review and validation of computer-aided dispatch data.   

Sets and meets goals for themselves and the team, accountable for project deadlines and successful completion of projects.

Effectively documents key processes and methods related decisions for each assigned project.

Performs various administrative functions, including answering telephone calls, sorting documentation, and filing, assisting in verifying, organizing, entering, and reviewing data. 

Attends regular meetings regarding data analysis; prepares detailed reports and presentations on a regular basis, as assigned by the Director of Research.

Ensures that all sensitive and restricted information and materials are handled with complete confidentiality and discretion.

Capable of performing duties with minimal supervision and managing projects from beginning to end.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge and skill in the use of databases and software applications, with the ability to create, edit and analyze data; ability to collect, analyze and evaluate evidence, statistics, and other information to draw logical conclusions. 

Experience cleaning and analyzing data in STATA, R, SAS, Python, or similar statistical programming language. 

Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; ability to prepare graphs, charts, tables, and other illustrative documents. 

Excellent report writing skills. 

Knowledge of statistical analysis. 

Ability to use statistical research techniques. 

Good attention to detail, ability to proof, verify and edit complex written reports written by others or by oneself, and to communicate/make changes and improvements as needed during the report review process. 

Skill in interacting with others to investigate, gather and review confidential materials, information, and data. 

Ability to exercise sound judgment and to make sound decisions and carry out programs affecting one’s own work and the work of others in a changing work environment. 

Skill and knowledge, as may be pertinent to the area of assignment, in connection with correct technical, legal, and other language usage, punctuation and grammar, and their proper application to business forms, letters and records. 

Skill and accuracy in the control, organization and maintenance of files and records according to various methods. 

Good communication skills: ability to exercise diplomacy, gather information from others and make inquiries; ability to get along well with others.

Skill in the application of complex instructions, written and verbal; ability to accurately relate such instructions in full or part to other staff. 

Ability to coordinate several tasks at one time and perform well under pressure; ability to fill in for and perform the duties of other support staff as needed; ability to relieve management of certain administrative functions. 

Ability to understand and follow through on oral and written instructions. 

Ability to maintain a professional appearance and attitude at all times. 

Possesses the ability to remain composed at all times for the purpose of gathering and dispatching information accurately and efficiently. 

Ability to sit for extended periods of time working at a computer terminal.

Ability to work with diverse groups to achieve consensus.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Behavioral Sciences, Predictive Analytics, Economics, Statistics, or a closely related field. 

One (1) or more years of experience in the use of R, STATA, or other statistical analysis software.

Ability to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights; must be capable of working holidays and weekends, as required.

Must successfully pass background investigation(s) with results showing no past criminal record of conviction for a felony or misdemeanor.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of a graduate degree in Public Policy, Criminal Justice, Statistics, Predictive Analytics, or a closely related field.

Experience working with court systems and/or pre-trial detention data.  

Experience working within a criminal justice agency.

Experience in the use of ArcGIS, Tableau, Python, and/or Microsoft SQL.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.