Job Title: Research Assistant – Post-Dobbs Pregnancy Prosecution Tracking Study

Job Type: Full-Time; Regular; Exempt

Reports to: Senior Research Associate

Duration: 3 years (grant-funded position)

Job Location: Hybrid: Up to 3 days per week required in our NYC office

Salary Salary Range:

Annual salary is based on experience pursuant to organizational pay scale. Candidates with specialized degrees, skills, or experience may qualify for higher pay grades. (Full payscale available upon request)

 

 

• 0-1 year relevant experience: $69,487.50
• 2 years relevant experience: $71,224.69
• 3 years relevant experience: $74,830.00


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Benefits Include:

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Group Term Life and AD&D Insurance; FSA; Commuter Benefits; 403(b) Retirement Plan with matching; annual paid time-off (20 vacation days; 10 sick days; 5 personal days; end of year office closure Dec. 25-Jan. 1); 4 months of paid family leave; professional development funding.

 

Organizational Overview:

Pregnancy Justice defends the civil and human rights of pregnant people, focusing on those most likely to be targeted for investigation, arrest, detention, or family separation: people who are poor or have low income, people of color, and people who use drugs, as examples. The organization and staff are guided by the principles of reproductive justice, which is defined by SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective as: the human right t o maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities .

 

 

We believe that the criminal legal system and family policing system, commonly known as the child welfare system, should never be involved in pregnancy and pregnancy-related outcomes; that all people are entitled to dignity, equality, and respect; and that the threat of pregnancy criminalization, like the criminal legal system itself, is deeply rooted in racism and targets communities of color and people who are poor.

 

 

While Pregnancy Justice must operate within the criminal legal system and the family policing system, we also recognize that we must work to dismantle all discriminatory systems of oppression. Since its founding over 20 years ago, Pregnancy Justice has worked across disciplines including reproductive rights and justice, public health, drug policy, criminal justice reform, racial justice, and prosecutorial accountability, among others, to achieve its mission.

 

 

For more information about Pregnancy Justice, please visit https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/

 

 

 

Job Summary

The Research Assistant (RA) for the Pregnancy Prosecution Tracking Study will work in a supporting research role and contribute to a three-year research project on pregnancy criminalization Post- Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health , focusing on cases where an individual's pregnancy was a but-for factor in their arrest or justification for a criminal penalty.

The Research Assistant is responsible for identifying cases of pregnancy-related criminalization, collecting data, coding and recording information, undertaking basic quality control checks, conducting basic data analysis, and assisting with the reporting and presentation of findings. They will work collaboratively within the research, policy and legal teams to ensure that the research informs our legal and advocacy strategies.

The Research Assistant uses a range of methods to identify and collect information on cases, including telephone and face-to-face conversations and interviews. Sources of information include but are not limited to: Pregnancy Justice staff and existing files; legal and court databases; media coverage; discussion and documentation of cases in legal, medical, public health, social work, and other social science journals and reports; and outreach to criminal defense lawyers, organizations, and others connected to known cases to identify additional cases or incidents in a particular county, region, or hospital system.

All Pregnancy Justice employees must embrace, respect and value the rich range of perspectives and experience of a diverse and heterogeneous staff. We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners.

 

 

Essential Job Functions

• Conducting data analysis using specialized software such as STATA, SPSS, R or ArcView GIS;
• Identification and utilization of public data sources from a wide range of federal, state and local data providers, as well as private data providers to extensively analyze social, economic, and demographic conditions;
• Reviewing and updating team on trends in research; providing relevant information to team in response to media requests, testimony, and/or to inform organizing and litigation strategies;
• Performing telephone, in-person, or virtual interviews to gather data, as needed;
• Collect, clean, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data for projects. This includes managing data for data processing and analysis, verifying accuracy of database information and assisting in making necessary corrections.
• With guidance from supervisor, assisting with development, communication and design of research findings to internal and external audiences, which may include web updates, social media, and/or white papers;
• Other research projects as identified.


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Experience

• 0-3 years of experience in (or in lieu of work experience, familiarity with or academic study in) social science research methodology and statistics in a non-profit advocacy or legal setting; managing complex datasets, and data visualization (for building/maintaining website content);
• Experience using quantitative and qualitative research methods/techniques and analysis (including case research);
• Experience with coding legal cases or similar forms of data (such as interviews, focus groups, or newspaper articles), reading in detail and noting the categories into which the data fall;
• Experience with submitting public records requests and working with public datasets produced by state administrative and legal agencies;
• Experience writing for multiple audiences, with a particular focus on policy;
• Experience working in non-profits or community organizations or demonstrated commitment to community service/public interest.


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Education

A bachelor’s degree in social science, or completion of coursework related to social science or public health research, including coursework in statistics and quantitative research methods.

 

 

Relevant, practical experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency in using data visualization tools and statistical analysis software such as STATA, SPSS, R, ArcView, GIS, and/or related statistical package social science analytical software;
• Ability to perform basic statistical analysis (e.g. row and column percentages, means and medians), visualize and interpret their meaning;
• Ability to present data findings to a wide variety of audiences, particularly those who are well-versed in legal thinking but unfamiliar with statistical processes;
• Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to manage projects efficiently and meet deadlines;
• The ability to: take initiative and learn new skills and concepts; work with sensitive and confidential materials; produce highly readable, informative reports for a variety of audiences; and work well with co-workers, community representatives and stakeholders;
• Demonstrated interest in reproductive rights and justice, criminal justice, and/or health policy;
• Adaptability and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated alignment with Pregnancy Justice's mission and values, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Proficiency in office software and tools, including Google Workspace, MS Office Suite, and Zoom among others.
• Proactive problem-solving and troubleshooting.
• Ability to work in our NYC office at least 3 days per week.
• Flexibility to work outside of regular office hours when necessary.


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Other Critical Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking : Applies big-picture thinking to achieve long-term outcomes, while also focusing on the details of short- to mid-term implementation.
• Decisiveness : Consistently makes decisions in a timely manner supportive of Pregnancy Justice’s mission, core values, and strategic objectives, demonstrating sound judgment.
• Collaboration : Works effectively with various and diverse individuals and groups, with a willingness to actively listen and invite different views and opinions to build alignment in support of a common goal.
• Commitment to Learning : Applies a growth mentality to their own and their team’s development. Promotes a culture of learning by modeling inquisitiveness and an openness to viewing mistakes as an opportunity to learn and improve.
• Nimbleness : Demonstrates comfort with ambiguity, needing to be flexible and adaptable, consistently reassessing priorities to make sound decisions and take strategic risks in furtherance of our mission and priorities.


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Working Conditions & Physical Requirements:

The work is primarily performed in an office setting and/or remotely, with offsite meetings and events. Periodic travel is expected within the United States. This is largely a sedentary position that requires the employee to sit, stand, walk, and bend, and may occasionally require moving files and other equipment. The Research Associate works full-time, typically between the office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. There will be periods in which court calendars and other deadlines necessitate evening and weekend work. Staff are encouraged to coordinate flexible time or time off following periods of heavy workloads and plan ahead for vacation time.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for pregnant people and individuals with disabilities, including in the application process. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please send an email with the subject line “Reasonable Accommodation Request” to HR@PregnancyJusticeUS.org .

 

 

Application Instructions:

In a single PDF titled “Last Name, First Name_Research Assistant” , please include the following and upload it to the Resume* field:
 

 

 

• Your Resume
• Cover letter explaining why you are interested in and qualified for this role, and how you heard about Pregnancy Justice


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Only applications with cover letters will be considered complete applications.

 

 

Commitment to Inclusive Hiring Practices

Research indicates that members of marginalized communities tend to underestimate their qualifications, and only apply when they meet all of the criteria in a job posting. If you are excited about this opportunity but are unsure if your past experience aligns with the job description, we encourage you to apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application and how your talents and experience can bring value to this role.

 

 

Pregnancy Justice is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, gender, pregnancy, national origin, height and weight, citizenship, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, physical characteristics such as height and weight, or any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pregnancy Justice recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

 

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