Principal Associate, Multilateral Policy, Courts and Communities

The Government Performance Portfolio within Program 
Pew’s government performance work identifies and advances effective approaches to help solve complex challenges at all levels of government in the United States.  

The portfolio’s work can be traced back to our founders’ early efforts to improve the lives of Americans by supporting efforts that promoted health, civic engagement, and democratic ideals. Today, we conduct research on emerging topics, develop data-driven reports, and highlight innovative, non-partisan approaches in addressing complex problems at the federal, state, and local levels as well as the interplay that can occur between jurisdictions. Current initiatives focus on health, fiscal and economic policy, and safety and justice, and take into account significant trends such as evolving technologies, and the increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the United States population. 

Our teams explore and advance effective, evidence-based policies using credible, timely, and accessible research, assessing public support for change, identifying approaches that have proved successful elsewhere, and bringing together diverse perspectives to find common ground. We work in collaboration with organizations that share our commitment to rigorous research, measurable results, and public service, and we focus on developing durable policy change. In addition, our teams use strategic outreach and dissemination to ensure that good information is widely communicated to decision-makers, media, influential stakeholders, and the public. 

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. In so doing, the reforms will focus court staff attention on cases where their skills and knowledge are best applied. And, systemically, they will enable court systems to administer justice in a way that better supports safety, stability, and well-being of the communities they serve.  

Position Overview

The principal associate for policy, courts and communities, helps state and local courts improve how they serve communities, including how courts address families and caregiving, how courts can better resolve high volume disputes like traffic and debt collection cases, and how courts can obtain more stable funding and reduce their reliance on fines and fees. Reporting to the manager, policy, courts and communities, the principal associate will focus on improving court policies through partnerships and court rule, budgetary, administrative, and/or legislative reform.

Located in Pew’s Washington, DC, office, this position will participate in Pew’s core in-office days on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will have flexibility to work from home the remainder of each week.

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

Responsibilities

• Foster a work environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible and in line with Pew and the project’s related goals.
• Inform and advance program priorities, develop and maintain broad substantive knowledge of law and policy related to the intersection of courts and families, economic mobility, and public safety, as well as the key stakeholders and leaders within those areas.
• Identify and develop relationships with in-state stakeholders from the judicial, administrative, policymaking, and advocacy communities to advance the goals of the project.
• Conduct and summarize jurisdiction- and topic-based policy research, including analyzing legislation, court rules, and key activities of community groups relevant to court administration, to inform the project’s state engagements.
• Create accessible, high-quality presentations, written materials, and tools that clearly and concisely communicate complex topics to wide audiences.
• Utilize strategic thinking, substantive knowledge, relationships, and analytic and communication skills to develop policy agendas and lead state engagements that result in improvements to court administration and court and community interactions.
• Represent Pew by participating in and facilitating external meetings and events with senior government officials, community members, contractors, grantees, and partners.
• Participate in activities that support program and Pew-wide objectives.

Requirements

• Thinks strategically, creatively, and analytically to support the project’s state engagements and policy priorities.
• Skilled at informing and influencing internal and external audiences through written and oral communications.
• Demonstrated time- and project-management skills, including a capacity to meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
• Works effectively as part of a team, fosters consensus, and collaborates with diverse partners to advance pragmatic solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Generally, six years of applicable experience.

Key attributes and preferred experience

• Personal or professional experience with state and/or local courts or other government is highly preferred.
• Law degree or related experience with law and policy preferred.
• Develops and manages productive and collaborative relationships.
• Applies a non-partisan, evidence-based approach to projects and campaigns that require support across the political spectrum.
• Develops and moves complex projects forward with a high degree of independence within a creative, fast-paced, action-oriented, and collegial environment.

Travel

This position requires frequent travel to meetings and conferences.

Salary Range

The salary range represents a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on Pew’s commitment to provide equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will take into consideration many factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills and experience, internal pay equity, and business need.

Total Rewards

We offer a competitive salary and benefit program, including: comprehensive, affordable health care through medical, dental, and vision coverage; financial security with life and disability insurance; opportunities to save using health savings and flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits to help prepare for the future; and work/life benefits to maintain a good balance.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Pew considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, military/veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.