Senior Data-Driven Policy & Research Strategist

State of Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Researcher & Policy Strategist at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender will be the lead architect of the agency’s data-driven narrative, turning complex datasets into policy guidance for budget requests, testimony, and public reporting.

You will design statewide data strategies, produce executive briefings, and collaborate with leadership, trial offices, IT, and external partners to advance client-centered equity through rigorous analysis.

Qualifications

• Six years of administrative staff or professional work.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 30 credit hours may substitute for each year of experience.
• Bachelor's degree plus two years of relevant experience substitutes for required experience.
• Master's degree substitutes five years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Build a unified data strategy across OPD statewide operations.
• Lead development of the OPD Annual Report and executive briefings.
• Analyze caseload trends and staffing for funding requests.
• Design the agency's strategic plan with client-centered metrics.
• Provide rapid-response research for legislative strategy.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Policy storytelling

Data visualization

Stakeholder communication

Executive briefing

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science/economics/public policy

Master's degree in public policy

Tools

R

Python

SQL

STATA

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

The Senior Researcher & Policy Strategist at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender will be the lead architect of the agency’s data-driven narrative, turning complex datasets into policy guidance for budget requests, testimony, and public reporting.

You will design statewide data strategies, produce executive briefings, and collaborate with leadership, trial offices, IT, and external partners to advance client-centered equity through rigorous analysis.