STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Lead Planning Analyst

Recruitment #211213-0007AR-001

Introduction

About Us
At the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management (OPM), we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor’s budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor and a wide variety of special projects.  

The Role
OPM’s Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division seeks to hire a Lead Planning Analyst.  This is an exciting opportunity to perform in-depth analysis of the criminal justice system and to use research and data to improve the system’s effectiveness.

In this position, you will be a member of the division’s research unit and report to the Policy Development Coordinator leading that unit, providing research and evaluation to help implement the administration’s criminal justice priorities.

The ideal candidate for this position will be organized, motivated, and possesses as strong work ethic, as well as the ability to maintain working relationships with multiple stakeholders and the capacity to multi-task and adapt and navigate changing circumstances.

OPM is conveniently located in Hartford, CT. The work schedule for this position is typically Monday - Friday, forty (40) hours per week.

We offer a competitive benefits package, excellent health care, generous leave policies, retirement plan, and more!  

Interested in becoming a state employee?  Watch the video below to learn more:

Selection Plan

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a) .

To Apply:
  • Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. We are no longer accepting resumes in accordance with PA 21-69. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
What to Expect After You Apply:
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.
  • Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact the hiring agency's human resources office: opm.recruitment@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency, this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor for Planning Analysts engaged in planning, monitoring and evaluating programs.

DEPARTMENTS OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: This class may be used as a network planner accountable for programs and plans within a specific geographical region.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT: This class may be used as the primary planner accountable for a large statewide planning effort coordinating work activities of state, regional or municipal agencies and resolving interagency policy issues.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Duties of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Provides leadership, planning, and problem-solving among agencies external to OPM, including:
      • Tracking, measuring, and monitoring progress regarding data-driven strategies to increase public safety and use criminal justice resources more effectively and the sharing of information with relevant agencies to increase transparency and efficiency;
      • Establishing metrics and reports to track system progress and informing senior staff along the way;
      • Leading working groups involving agency staff to examine policies and make course corrections as needed;
      • Leading interagency teams of researchers and planners to understand the transferrable qualities of successful programs; and
      • Leading the methodological design of pilot programs required by legislation.
  • Coordinates collection of data from state agencies, non-profits, universities, and other criminal justice system stakeholders for inclusion in statutorily required and ad hoc reports, including data from:
      • State agencies, such as the Department of Correction, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and The Criminal Justice Information System;
      • State non-profits, such as the Alliance to End Sexual Violence and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence;
      • National non-profit organizations, such as the Council of State Governments Justice Center, the Prison Policy Initiative and the Urban Institute;
      • Municipalities, for example, local police departments; and
      • Universities, such as the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at the Central Connecticut State University, the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University and Yale University.
  • Conducts intensive data analysis, including but not limited to the Monthly Indicators Report, Annual Correctional Population Forecast, Annual Connecticut Recidivism Study, Prosecutor Data Analysis, and the Annual Trend Presentation—all of which are required in state statute. 
  • Coordinates the collection of data from multiple state agencies and criminal justice system stakeholders for presentation and discussion at the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee and its Cross-Agency Data-Sharing Workgroup, especially data relating to analysis of juvenile and young adult operations in the Department of Correction, and the coordination and alignment of that data with data from the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch, among others.
  • Provides analysis required for ad hoc reports.  For example, reports analyzing the high rate of people experiencing accidental drug overdose death who have previously been incarcerated, developing strategies to reduce both recidivism and homelessness, and assessing the impact of inter-branch strategies to divert appropriate populations from incarceration before trial.
  • Utilizes information garnered from cross-agency efforts described above to provide and inform responses to media and policymakers.
  • Presents findings of above-described data and research at forums including the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Committee and subcommittees, including the Victim Issues Subcommittee and the Sentencing Commission.
  • Perform related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of principles and practices of state and regional planning and techniques; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to analyze policy; ability to interpret and evaluate research data; ability to utilize computer software; some supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of experience in planning including developing written long term plans broad in scope and having impact on a number of operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in planning at the level of Planning Analyst.

Note: Planning is defined as collecting and analyzing technical data (social, environmental, economic, governmental), determining problems and concerns and developing long term plans accordingly. These are formal, written plans, i.e. statements of goals and objectives, recommended alternatives for action and policies and programs to achieve the goals and objectives. Generally, these plans will impact statewide activities or a large scale corporation which has branch or satellite facilities. Candidates must perform these types of planning duties the majority of time and the planning function must be the major thrust of the job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in planning, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience communicating findings from criminal justice data analysis and policy to state policymakers;
  • Experience interpreting and implementing statutory and administrative policy;
  • Experience proposing policy options based on criminal and juvenile justice priorities;
  • Experience working with the policymakers and navigating the legislative process;
  • Interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to explain complex, technical subject matter to a general audience; 
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and data management and quantitative data analysis software, including SAS, STATA, R, or SQL and experience with data visualization and geographic information system mapping;
  • Experience with the design of compelling graphics and reports to present key findings and information;
  • Knowledge of data analysis techniques with an understanding of basic statistical concepts;
  • Experience managing, cleaning, and analyzing large datasets;
  • Experience working in a fast-paced environment; and
  • Critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical skills, with an ability to digest complex information and synthesize information from multiple sources.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.