RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITION
POLICE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH FORUM

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a leading national police research institution and membership organization based in Washington, DC, seeks candidates to fill a research associate position within PERF’s Center for Applied Research and Management. PERF focuses on critical and emerging issues in policing, such as the use of body-worn cameras, police use-of-force, countering violent extremism and community policing, officer safety and wellness, technology issues and cybercrime, sexual assault, gun crime reduction strategies, evaluation of promising practices, performance measurement, and community policing. PERF has earned a national reputation for identifying emerging trends and developing promising practices for police practitioners. PERF has an excellent relationship and track record of collaborating with police agencies across the nation. These relationships provide PERF researchers with a unique level of access to conduct high profile law enforcement projects and are instrumental to PERF’s consistent record of high participation rates.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE RESPONSIBILITIES:

PERF offers a unique learning environment that examines current policing issues on both a local and national scale. This announcement is for a position in PERF’s Center for Applied Research and Management. The primary responsibility of PERF’s Management Services division is to conduct assessments of local law enforcement agencies and provide recommendations for how they can align their policies and practices with progressive policing practices.

The successful candidate may have responsibilities in the following areas:

  • writing and editing publications, reports, and project documents;
  • traveling to conduct on-site research (or “site-visits”) at police departments and other criminal justice agencies;
  • coordinating site visits and working with law enforcement contacts and consultants to gather information;
  • analyzing and interpreting law enforcement data;
  • coordinating and conducting meetings and interviews;
  • gathering and reviewing current policing literature and research;
  • drafting proposals for project funding;
  • preparing and delivering presentations; and
  • completing project and contract management activities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicant must possess a 4-year college degree (Master’s Degree strongly preferred) in the social sciences or a related field with 2-4 years relevant professional experience.  Applicants must be well-organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated. Applicants must feel comfortable working with people in a variety of settings and be willing to regularly travel to sites. Applicants should also have excellent writing skills and be able to effectively present ideas, findings, and recommendations to diverse audiences, both orally and in writing. Preference will be given to candidates with strong analytic and research skills, with experience using advanced statistical techniques. Knowledge of the substantive area of law enforcement is a plus.

Applying for a position at PERF: PERF offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

Send letter of interest, resume, three writing samples, and a list of three references to PERF, Attn: Rachael Arietti, 1120 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 930, Washington, DC 20036, or email your materials to [email protected]. Application packets that do not contain the required materials will not be considered. PERF is an equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. For more information on PERF, please see our website at www.PoliceForum.org.