Research and Evaluation Manager

The Position

Bargaining Unit: IFPTE, Local 21

The Office of Reentry & Justice (ORJ), an administrative unit of the Probation Department, was established to align and advance the County's public safety realignment, reentry, and justice programs and initiatives for adult and juvenile justice systems; provides oversight for the implementation of the AB 109 Community Programs and other special projects; conducts research and data analysis that support data-driven decision-making and enhances service delivery; and provides staffing support to the County's reentry and justice related advisory bodies.

The Office of Reentry & Justice at the Probation Department is currently recruiting to fill one (1) Research & Evaluation Manager vacancy. Under the direction of the ORJ Director, the Research & Evaluation Manager will oversee the management and coordination of data analyses and research efforts, lead the unit’s program evaluation processes, assist the department in securing grant funding for research initiatives and partnerships with academic institutions, and supervise the ORJ’s data team.

We are looking for someone who:

• Possesses extensive leadership and management experience in supervising a team of dedicated Planner/Evaluators (i.e. data analysts), with proven expertise in conducting and overseeing applied research and evaluation projects related to juvenile and criminal justice fields.
• Has extensive experience and knowledge of advanced data gathering, statistical analyses, research design and methodologies, and program evaluation.
• Can think critically and has the ability to analyze data, identify trends, present results, and offer recommendations while keeping limitations of the data in mind.
• Demonstrates experience in managing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, especially IT/data system administrators, university-level researchers, and third-party evaluators.
• Collaborates and communicates effectively both verbally and in writing through presentations, trainings, meeting facilitation, and reports with a diverse range of stakeholders and colleagues. Experience in grant writing is highly preferred.
• Has the ability to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data and research literature to inform evidence-based policy and program recommendations, as well as system planning and improvements.
• Possesses knowledge and experience with data-driven decision-making approaches, development of logic models and performance metrics, and evidence-based interventions tailored for youth, young adults, and justice populations.
• Possesses working knowledge and understanding of juvenile and/or criminal justice system processes and outcomes.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Supervising, coaching, and training a team of Planner/Evaluators, drafting and conducting team evaluations, and identifying and tracking key data and evaluation related learning objectives annually, with requests for professional development training, as appropriate.
• Conducting and leading program evaluations, including designing and developing evaluation plans, developing data collection protocols, performing and overseeing quantitative and qualitative data analyses and research activities, and drafting report findings and recommendations.
• Contribute to the development of reports, presentations, summary briefs, and data visualizations to communicate research findings and data analyses to lay audiences.
• In collaboration with the ORJ Director and Program Manager, developing program performance, monitoring, and fidelity standards and protocols for the ORJ.
• Supporting the development of program logic models and reporting templates that are measurable and demonstrate the key evidence-based processes and outcomes of the program.
• Determining and designing data collection procedures, conducting data quality assessments, and performing appropriate statistical analyses for a given project.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable ethical standards, regulations, laws, and specifications related to research projects and grants.
• Collaborating with Probation IT and Systems Analyst to integrate data from multiple sources for more efficient data analysis and reporting.
• Upon direction, representing the ORJ and Probation administration on inter and intra-departmental committees and working groups.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• Great team-oriented atmosphere and supportive work environment.
• Many opportunities to collaborate on cutting-edge justice program innovations in a growing division within the Probation Department.
• Ability to engage with various county and community stakeholders sharing a common vision to improve community safety and support efforts to prevent justice-system involvement and reduce recidivism.
• Be part of the solution by making positive contributions toward equitable outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations.
• Every day brings a variety of work. There is never a dull day.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• We are building up a performance-based system and structure for evidence-based programming, monitoring, and evaluation. Hence, there may be ambiguity in current data and evaluation related processes and roles.
• You will need a keen eye for detail. Specific documentation and analytical reports created while in this role will be publicly accessible, represent the ORJ and Probation Department, and must be accurate, clear, and concise.
• You will have to collaborate and work effectively with both savvy technical and non-technical staff and stakeholders.
• Maintaining nimbleness in an ever-evolving Department with shifting priorities and responsibilities based on external factors.
• Effectively managing multiple projects and associated tasks with diverse requirements and deadlines on an ongoing basis requires strong organizational, prioritization, resource allocation, and time management skills, which are needed for success in this role.

Competencies Required:

• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Negotiating: Reaching mutually satisfying agreements and compromise
• Coaching & Developing Others: Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities
• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertainingto an issue or question
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: www.cccounty.us/hr
The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six months.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

License Required: Candidates must possess a valid California motor vehicle operator's license. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social science/policy, behavioral science, public health, criminal justice, mathematics, business intelligence, information sciences, or a closely related field.

Experience: Four (4) years of full-time or its equivalent experience in a research/evaluation position with responsibilities that included goal setting, program evaluation, survey design, statistical outcome reporting, report generation, and other complex administrative and budgetary analyses. One (1) year of such experience includes lead or supervisory experience in directing, managing, and training staff on completing project tasks and deadlines.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with data analysis software such as SPSS, STATA, Power BI, Tableau, GIS, and NVivo or MAXQDA.
• Applied criminal justice research experience addressing key questions related to public safety and justice system improvements. Experience working with or in juvenile and criminal justice agencies.
• Experience with policy and/or fiscal analysis of public safety and community corrections legislation.
• Experience collaborating with academic researchers in a University setting.
• Experience with research proposal development and/or grant-writing.
• Familiarity with grant and contract administration, and knowledge of complex state, federal, and county funding streams.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process. Training and Experience Evaluation: Consists of an evaluation of each candidate's relevant education, training and/or experience as presented on the application and supplemental questionnaire. (Weighted 100%) Departmental Hiring Interview: TBD
Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment specific questions, please contact Christine Bissada at Christine.Bissada@hrd.cccounty.us . For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 9/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• Contra Costa County Human Resources Department

• 925-655-2100

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