Data Analyst
About the Team
The analyst will be a part of the newly established data team at CANY and will report directly to the Director who leads CANY’s data strategy.
The data team has three primary objectives which contribute to CANY's mission and vision as a whole:
To improve our ability to identify issues in the prison system using data.
To inform and fortify reports with robust data and visualizations.
To draw public attention to key issues using data & visualizations on CANY's platforms and beyond.
As a team, we are in a moment of growth and change and are seeking a candidate who is excited to be a part of building the foundation for strong independent oversight. This means that the analyst will have the opportunity to investigate and learn how to use new data and analytics tools, to establish new processes and procedures, to work closely other teams to define and visualize key metrics, and to contribute to the organization’s research agenda.
Key Responsibilities
Data tasks
Data collection – Our team collects data from a variety of sources, including through the FOIL process. The analyst will support this data collection by drafting, filing, and tracking FOIL requests.
Data processing – The data we receive is normally not shared in a machine-readable format. The analyst will write ETL pipelines in python to extract text and tables from our source data and prepare it to be uploaded to our data warehouse. We use a variety of tools for text extraction, including some open-source tools in Python, an Azure tool called Document Intelligence, and a survey processing tool called SnapSurvey. The analyst will also write data quality assurance functions in their ETL pipelines as one component of our QA process.
Database management – The analyst will propose schemas, create, and update tables in our data warehouse in accordance with our internal database structure and naming standards.
Data visualization – The analyst will propose data and draft visualizations in either PowerBI or Flourish.
Data analysis – The analyst will contribute to analytics proposals and perform analysis using our standard tools (Python, SQL, Excel, PowerBI, Flourish). This includes exploratory work on new datasets, trends analysis, outlier detection, and survey tabulations.
Data documentation – The analyst will draft and maintain detailed data documentation, both for internal and external use.
Organizational initiatives
The analyst will attend prison monitoring visits with the team at least quarterly and complete the training and documentation associated with these visits.
The analyst will attend and contribute to regularly scheduled trainings, retreats, reflective process sessions, and internal working groups.
The analyst will have the option to support on the organization’s intake phone line.
Experience and Qualifications
CANY is seeking an enthusiastic candidate who is comfortable working collaboratively as part of a small, hard-working team. Individuals who possess the following skills, attributes, and qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:
Knowledge of or familiarity with the criminal justice system, with a preference for experience in New York.
At least two years of prior professional experience, which may be substituted for a relevant combination of education and/or life experience.
Experience with SQL and Python, especially with the Pandas package.
Experience creating complex dashboards using PowerBI.
Experience working with messy data; beyond the technical skills required, knowledge of how to evaluate data quality and an understanding of implicit bias in data is required.
Commitment to maintaining comprehensive data documentation.
Ability to learn to use new tools on the job.
Exceptional organizational and planning skills – familiarity with team planning tool strongly preferred (Jira, Asana, etc.)
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position is $75,000-100,000 depending on skills, years of experience, and level of education. Individuals with 2-4 years of experience can expect to start below the median; individuals with more experience and education can expect to start above the median. CANY offers generous benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a retirement plan with employer-paid matching contributions; a generous paid time-off allowance; and opportunities for professional development.
Benefits
CANY offers generous benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a retirement plan with employer-paid matching contributions; a generous paid time-off allowance; and opportunities for professional development.
How to Apply
Please email a cover letter expressing your interest and qualifications for the position along with a resume listing three references to the attention of the CANY Hiring Committee at info@correctionalassociation.org. The interview process will involve at least two interviews and a skills assessment.
DEADLINE: March 14, 2025Type
Full time
Location
Hybrid — New York State
Start date
April 16, 2025
Education
4-year degree required
Salary
$75,000 – $100,000/year
*Depending on skills, experience, and level of education. Individuals with 2-4 years of experience can expect to start at the lower end of the range; individuals with more experience can expect to start toward the higher end.About the Correctional Association of New York (CANY)
Mission
CANY provides independent oversight of prisons in New York State in order to promote greater transparency and accountability; to safeguard the human and civil rights of incarcerated people; to eliminate harmful practices and policies; and to decrease the use of incarceration in New York.
Vision
CANY envisions a future in which our criminal justice system uses an entirely different approach to responding to violence and social concerns. In this vision, prisons look nothing like they do today: far fewer people are held for much shorter sentences in transformed conditions that promote health, safety, and justice for incarcerated individuals, communities, and society at large.
CANY values a diverse and equitable workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, veterans and people who have been incarcerated or impacted by the criminal justice system to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, unemployment status, or any other protected category. 