Officer, Data and Policy, Courts & Communities (Policy Advocacy)

**Government Performance**

The **Government Performance** team provides the nonpartisan research, solutions, and momentum decisionmakers need to ensure institutions improve the health of people in the United States and enable them to successfully climb the economic ladder.

Those goals are pursued through a wide range of the portfolio’s **policy‑focused projects** (with explorations into new areas underway)—from ensuring states’ finances are prepared for future volatility, to unlocking gateways to mental health care, to addressing the nation’s lack of attainable housing.

Pew’s Government Performance team is successful when we:
– **Foresee systemic challenges** that could be avoided, mitigated, or resolved before they become insurmountable or politically toxic.
– **Fill information gaps** with data, research, and proven models.
– **Hold leaders accountable** to ensure they anticipate future challenges and operate efficiently.
– **Minimize missed opportunities** when people intersect with our nation’s institutions.

We hope policymakers, funding partners, and other stakeholders celebrate when Pew’s Government Performance team enters a new policy space, launches a new effort, or expands an existing project because they recognize we help:
– **Elevate the public profile** of a problem
– **Demonstrate that success is possible**
– **Bring cohesion** to siloed fields
– **Create momentum** for broader and lasting change

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### Courts and Communities

The **courts and communities** project works to strengthen policies and processes that dictate how civil and criminal courts manage their dockets and handle cases—the nuts and bolts of how courts do business. We envision reforms that enable people to participate more effectively in court processes, resolve their matters more expeditiously, and avoid unnecessary or unwarranted costs or penalties. These reforms will focus court staff attention on cases where their skills and knowledge are best applied and enable court systems to administer justice in a way that better supports safety, stability, and well‑being.

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### Position Overview

The **officer for data and policy**, courts and communities, helps state and local courts improve how they serve communities through the adoption and effective implementation of state policies including legislative reform and court rules.

Reporting to the project director, courts and communities, the officer helps design and execute strategies to advance the project’s goals, including influencing state policies around court funding, lowering reliance on unstable funding streams like fines and fees, and reforming high‑volume court dockets such as traffic disputes. The officer represents the project to key decision‑makers and partner groups, develops partnerships and coalitions, and leads policy work related to advancing state policy adoption.

Located in Pew’s Washington, D.C. office, this position participates in Pew’s hybrid work program with core in‑office days and flexibility to telework the remaining days. Staff also enjoy four “flex weeks” per year.

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### Responsibilities

– **Foster a strong work environment** that inspires excellence, values impact, encourages transparency, builds mutual trust and respect, embraces diversity, and is collaborative and compassionate.
– **Develop and implement campaign strategies** and technical assistance at the state and local level, including identifying opportunities, pivoting strategies, and assessing effectiveness.
– **Lead execution of state strategy** in multiple states to promote policies improving state and local courts.
– **Advance state court reform** efforts around court funding structures, reducing reliance on fines and fees, and identifying alternative funding sources.
– **Lead engagements on traffic docket reform** to reduce burdens on court staff and users.
– **Track policy proposals** and court rules; draft public comments as needed.
– **Create public messaging** and outreach materials for judges, administrators, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
– **Conduct policy research** including analyzing legislation and court rules.
– **Build and maintain coalitions** with legislative partners, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders.
– Participate in activities that support program and Pew‑wide objectives.

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### Requirements

– Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
– Generally, eight years of applicable experience.
– Experience working on **state policy campaigns** including multi‑state strategies.
– Excellent oral, writing, and editing skills.
– Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.
– Knowledge and experience with **state court policy** issues.
– Experience working with diverse internal and external stakeholders with a nonpartisan mindset.
– Effective and results‑oriented planning for short‑ and long‑term goals.
– Demonstrated ability to meet multiple deadlines with strong organization.

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### Travel

This position requires frequent domestic travel to meetings and conferences.

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### Work Authorization

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the country for which they are seeking employment without visa sponsorship.

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### Salary Range

United States Pay Range: **$110,700 – $123,700**
The salary range represents a reasonable estimate based on Pew’s commitment to equitable and market‑competitive pay. Actual salary will consider job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, internal equity, and business need.

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### Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefits program, including comprehensive health care (medical, dental, vision), life and disability insurance, health savings and flexible spending accounts, retirement benefits, and work/life benefits to support balance.

Pew is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected characteristics.

Apply here