Field Research Manager

About the office: The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) advises the Mayor of the City of New York on criminal justice policy. MOCJ develops and implements strategies, with partners inside and outside government, to reduce crime and incarceration and to promote fairness and legitimacy. MOCJ works with law enforcement, city agencies, non-profits, foundations, and others to implement data-driven strategies that address current crime conditions, prevent offending, and build strong neighborhoods that ensure enduring safety. The Research Innovation Policy team drives the development and effective implementation of precision public health and public safety initiatives, operating through four main pillars: data-driven policy development, evaluation, quality assurance, and interagency coordination.

About the role

Reporting into the Director of Policy Metrics, and as part of the Policy Unit, the Field Research Manager is responsible for leading the design, execution, and analysis of field-based data collection, analysis, and report writing that informs policy relating to public health and public safety among justice-involved people. The role centers on managing field operations end-to-end: developing data collection protocols and both qualitative and quantitative instruments, training and supervising field staff, and ensuring the quality, integrity, and ethical handling of data gathered in community and justice settings. It extends into analyzing that data to surface meaningful patterns and findings, coordinating across agencies, providers, justice-involved people, and community partners, and communicating results in clear, compelling ways that inform policy and align partners around shared goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of field data collection efforts, including surveys, interviews, and observational studies conducted in community and justice settings.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and support field research staff, ensuring consistent, high-quality data collection across sites and teams.
• Develop and refine data collection protocols, instruments, and field procedures that balance rigor with real-world feasibility.
• Ensure the integrity and quality of field data through monitoring, quality checks, and timely resolution of issues as they arise.
• Analyze field-collected data using appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods to surface meaningful patterns, findings, and insights.
• Oversee participant recruitment, retention, and scheduling, including thoughtful engagement of justice-involved and other marginalized populations.
• Ensure ethical compliance throughout field work, including informed consent, confidentiality, and adherence to IRB and other applicable protocols.
• Coordinate across agencies, service providers, and community partners to align field efforts, share findings, and keep collaborative initiatives moving toward shared goals.
• Build and maintain relationships with field sites, agency partners, community organizations, and justice-involved participants.
• Communicate field findings clearly to varied audiences, translating data and analysis into reports, messaging, and stories that inform policy and partners.
• Track progress against timelines, targets, and budgets, and troubleshoot logistical and operational challenges in the field.
• Coordinate closely with analytic and research staff to ensure field-collected data meets study needs and translates into actionable insights.
• Prepare insights for publication or for internal use as appropriate.

Requirements

Minimum qualifications:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or
• An associate degree from an accredited college or university along with two (2) years of experience with administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory, or liaison responsibilities; or
• A four-year high school diploma, or its educational equivalent approved by a state's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization, along with four (4) years of experience as described above; or
• A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to the above.

Skills

Preferred skills:

• Master's or PhD in criminology, econometrics, public health, sociology, psychology, or a related discipline required.
• Experience managing field-based research or data collection operations required, including in community or applied settings.
• Experience recruiting, training, and supervising field staff or research teams required.
• Both quantitative and qualitative research experience required, with demonstrated ability to analyze data and interpret findings.
• Proficiency with statistical or analytic tools preferred.
• Experience working with clinical, justice-involved, or other marginalized populations preferred.
• Detailed knowledge of research ethics and human subjects protections (e.g., IRB processes, informed consent, confidentiality).
• Experience coordinating across agencies, providers, or community organizations preferred.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to run complex, multi-site efforts on time and on budget.
• Ability to balance competing priorities, complex situations, and tight deadlines; ability to problem-solve independently in a fast-paced, changing environment; ability to work comfortably with a wide variety of people at different levels within the organization and with different backgrounds.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to give and receive clear direction, present findings, and represent the organization to external partners.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to data quality and integrity.

Benefits

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Pay

$68,213.00 – $105,000.00

Schedule

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County.