Senior Data-Driven Policy Strategist & Researcher

Civicworks; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Researcher/Policy Strategist at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender leads the agency’s data-driven strategy, turning complex datasets into policy narratives for budget requests, legislative testimony, and public reporting.

Based in Baltimore, this role bridges raw data and high-stakes decisions, developing agency-wide data strategies, guiding annual reports, and providing rapid-response research for advocacy and reform efforts.

Qualifications

• Six years of administrative staff or professional work, or equivalent substitutions with education/military service
• Five years of administrative or professional experience conducting policy-relevant research, data analysis, program evaluation, or strategic planning
• Advanced proficiency in quantitative and statistical analysis tools (R, Python, SQL, STATA)
• Experience developing interactive data dashboards using visualization software (Tableau, Power BI)
• Ability to translate complex findings for non-technical audiences with strong writing and presentation skills
• Experience in criminal legal system research, indigent defense, or public sector policy analysis

Responsibilities

• Lead architect of the Maryland Office of the Public Defender's data-driven strategy
• Transform complex operational datasets into policy narratives for budget requests, legislative testimony, and public reporting
• Bridge raw data and high-stakes policy decisions across OPD's statewide system
• Develop agency-wide data strategies, lead annual reports, and provide rapid-response research for advocacy

Skills

Policy research

Data analysis

Program evaluation

Strategic planning

Effective communication

Executive briefing writing

Tools

R

Python

SQL

STATA

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

The Senior Researcher/Policy Strategist at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender leads the agency’s data-driven strategy, turning complex datasets into policy narratives for budget requests, legislative testimony, and public reporting.

Based in Baltimore, this role bridges raw data and high-stakes decisions, developing agency-wide data strategies, guiding annual reports, and providing rapid-response research for advocacy and reform efforts.