Associate Director, CT Sentencing Commission

The Connecticut Sentencing Commission was established under Connecticut General Statutes 54-300. The mission of the commission is to review the existing criminal sentencing structure in the state, propose changes—including revisions to existing statutes, new criminal legislation, and updates to existing and proposed sentencing policies and practices—and make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and relevant criminal justice agencies. The 23-member Commission includes judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, agency commissioners, Judicial Branch staff, law enforcement, and other appointed officials. Since its inception, the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) has provided professional staffing and administrative support to the Commission. The Commission also collaborates with Connecticut’s academic institutions to ensure high-quality research and analysis.

About the role

The Associate Director will work with the Executive Director to lead the professional staff members from IMRP assigned to oversee the Commission. Working in close collaboration with the Commission Executive Director and the IMRP Director, this position is responsible for assisting in the effective day-to-day management of the Commission. This role also provides administrative leadership, including supervision, training, evaluation, and task delegation to full-time staff, graduate assistants, and student workers. The Associate Director will play a critical role in fostering collaboration, ensuring program effectiveness, and advancing the Commission’s research, education, and policy initiatives.

As an independent and autonomous body, the Commission retains full authority over its priorities, agenda, and strategic direction. The IMRP provides administrative and fiduciary oversight to support the Commission’s work. This position requires a strong partnership with the Commission’s Executive Director, the Commission Chair, and the IMRP Director to ensure that the Commission fulfills its annual priorities and goals.

Responsibilities

• Works with the Executive Director to plan, direct, and administer the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, assuring compliance with enabling laws, and developing the Commission’s budgets and meeting agendas.
• Works with the Executive Director to plan and direct the research, evaluation, and monitoring activities of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission consistent with the Commission’s mission, statutory charge, and updates the Commission on research and policy developments related to sentencing practices on a nationwide basis.
• Directs the day-to-day operation and administration of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission in accordance with the Commission’s goals and objectives. Oversees coordination for the Commission’s activities and logistics and prepares necessary reports.
• Ensures all work activities are completed in accordance with the Commission’s goals and objectives.
• Oversees the writing and editing of Commission documents, including legislative drafting.
• Drafts and prepares reports of the Commission for submission to internal and external entities.
• Works with the Executive Director in the planning, development, design, and evaluation of the Commission’s activities. Collects and analyzes Commission data and participates in evaluating the Commission’s effectiveness.
• Represents the Commission to the General Assembly, Executive and Judicial branches, municipalities, practitioners, academics, and sentencing commissions in other states, etc.
• Manages professional and non-professional staff.
• Develops and oversees all Memoranda of Understanding with partnering entities, including but not limited to other universities and colleges and state agencies.
• Works to ensure that all Institute and other university policies and procedures are followed in accordance with university rules and regulations.
• Provides accurate and timely information as requested or directed by the Commission.
• Engages in public relations and promotional activities for the Commission. Implements recruiting and promotional strategies in the area of responsibility.
• Updates the Commission’s website and ensures compliance of all Commission activities with the Connecticut Freedom of Information laws as applicable.
• Contributes to planning outreach programs, conferences, meetings, and seminars.
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, Law, criminology, sociology, economics, political science, or a related field, and six years of relevant experience in research, policy development, legislative affairs, or program administration. Two years of experience must be serving as an advanced/senior team member or working as a project lead.
• A Master's degree may be substituted for up to one year of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in criminal justice policy and sentencing practices, including familiarity with state and federal sentencing laws, research methodologies, and national trends in sentencing reform.
• Organizational and administrative skills, including budget development and oversight, grant writing and management, and coordination of multi-agency or institutional partnerships.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, with experience acting as a liaison to government agencies, legislators, academic partners, and community stakeholders, and demonstrated experience building and maintaining collaborative relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Law, or a related field.
• Six to seven years of experience working directly with sentencing commissions, legislative bodies, or criminal justice agencies, particularly in a policy advisory or leadership capacity.
• Experience writing and editing reports, policy documents, and legislative language, with attention to detail and experience communicating complex legal or policy issues clearly to a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing external funding, including grants from state, federal, or private sources to support public policy or criminal justice initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn.
• Additional benefits available through UConn Health Benefits, including sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers.

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

Schedule

This is a full-time, end-dated position with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and funding.