OVERVIEW:

The Habeas Corpus Resource Center (HCRC) has an exciting opportunity for a Research and Information Management Specialist (RIMS) to serve as the principal data and information manager on projects related to the implementation of the Racial Justice Act (RJA). As the RJA RIMS, you will collect criminal-legal data and records from entities across the state of California, assist with developing resource collections related to racial bias in the criminal-legal system, make these collections available to HCRC staff and the California post-conviction capital defense community, and provide analytic and data science support for HCRC’s legal work. You will bring your exceptional analytical and organizational skills to make resources accessible and effectively communicate with a diverse group of constituents including records managers, experts, court clerks, and legal professionals.

This is a time-limited position; we currently have funding for a full-time position for one year, but this may be extended depending upon availability of funding. The position will be based primarily in the Habeas Corpus Resource Center’s office in San Francisco, CA[1] with oversight by the HCRC’s Legal Director and the Information Resources team or their designees.

The HCRC provides direct legal representation to people who are sentenced to death in California in post-conviction proceedings in state and federal courts.  In addition, the HCRC serves as a resource and provides training to private appointed counsel in capital post-conviction proceedings.

The RJA (which was codified in Penal Code sections 745 and 1473(f)) prohibits the State from seeking or obtaining criminal convictions and sentences on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin. A person can show that racism infected their case by, among other things, presenting empirical data showing that they were charged or sentenced in a racially biased manner. Rejecting the Supreme Court’s analysis in McCleskey v. Kemp, the RJA does not require a person to show that the discrimination was intentional. The RJA became retroactive to death penalty cases tried before January 1, 2021, this year. All of HCRC’s clients were sentenced to death before January 1, 2021. More recently, the Legislature provided HCRC and other state agencies with funding to assist them in litigating RJA petitions. HCRC is using some of this money to fund your position.

 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (illustrative only):

• Project manage the collection and organization of criminal-legal data, records, and information, and curate accessible collections.
• Assist in developing and implementing a strategy to capture, organize, and distribute RJA resources effectively across and outside of the HCRC.
• Maintain information repositories, including databases and websites to centralize access to RJA-related resources.
• Serve as point of contact for storing, retrieving, and organizing data and research related to the RJA; coordinate database design and create information management systems as needed; coordinate user support training.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts and legal and information resources teams to identify and document best practices, lessons learned, and key insights.
• Draft guidebooks and reference aids.
• Consult with legal teams regarding statistical analysis of data and appropriate methodology.
• Identify and review source documents.
• Collaborate with staff to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data and information.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Equivalent to possession of a bachelor’s degree, preferably with major course work in information management, library science, computer science, or related fields and three years’ experience in research and information system management, document management, and information system design and technology.

Additional experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis. Possession of a directly related postgraduate degree may be substituted for one year of experience.

 

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Understanding of and commitment to HCRC’s mission.
• Dedication to working towards anti-racism and to improving the criminal-legal system.
• Mastery of modern data, information, and knowledge management principles, methodologies, and tools.
• Theories and practices related to storing, organizing, retrieving, and analyzing information in a variety of settings and formats.
• Skillful design and evaluation of information systems and technology that allow for efficient and effective data and information management and user interaction.
• Ability to synthesize and summarize large amounts of information.
• Ability to conduct or review social science research, collect data, manage data, and perform other analytical skills.
• Ability to draft clear and effective user and system documentation and training materials.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills that enable successful collaboration with attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and information professionals.
• Ability to build relationships with court clerks and other custodians of records.
• Use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple objectives; meet critical goals within a prescribed timetable.
• Be innovative and flexible in managing operations and resolving problems.
• Pay strong attention to details.
• Prior experience working in the legal field as a paralegal, law librarian, legal analyst, or attorney or in data analytics is helpful.

This is an exempt position. Employees in this position may be required to travel and to work on holidays, evenings, or weekends.

 

HOW TO APPLY:

This position requires submission of a cover letter, an official application, and resume. A fillable application form is located at http://www.hcrc.ca.gov/hiring.php.

Please submit the following documents to JobApplications@hcrc.ca.gov (if you are able, please combine the documents, in the following order, into one PDF with the title “Your Last Name, RIMS”):

(1) a cover letter in which you address the following questions:

a. Why are you interested in working at the Habeas Corpus Resource Center?

b. What areas of the position description in the job announcement represent your greatest strengths?

c. Please name which of the following application(s) you have used, describe specific projects or work you have done using each application, and describe your level of proficiency with each application. For any of the categories of applications that you have not used, write “none.”

i. Word processing applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages)

ii. Spreadsheet applications (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Apple Numbers)

iii. Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., spreadsheets, Power BI, Tableau)

iv. Project management tools (e.g., spreadsheets, Trello, Microsoft Planner)

(2) the official application; and

(3) your resume.

Please do not submit transcripts, writing samples, references, or any other additional materials at this time.

For earliest consideration, please apply by November 3, 2023.  Applications will be accepted after the earliest consideration date and will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  This position is opened until filled.  If you have applied with the HCRC previously, you must reapply for consideration.

 

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

The HCRC is an equal opportunity employer.  The HCRC believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances the performance of our organization and the quality of representation that we provide to a diverse client base.  The HCRC welcomes all applicants, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

The HCRC reviews every application in its entirety.  Candidates whose qualifications best meet the needs of the HCRC will be contacted to participate in the interview process.  The individuals selected to fill the position(s) will be appointed at a level commensurate with their qualifications.  All applicants will be notified by e-mail when the recruitment has been closed, if not sooner.

Please Note: If you are selected for hire, the Judicial Council of California will require verification of employment eligibility or authorization to legally work in the United States.

 

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Monthly Salary Range:

Racial Justice Act Research & Information Management Specialist:           $8,863-10,774

Some highlights of our benefits package include:

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 13 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 transit reimbursement per month
• CalPers Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long Term Care Program (employee paid/optional)

[1] HCRC employees who live in the San Francisco Bay Area are eligible to work remotely two days a week.  Southern California Applicants, please note: given that the HCRC conducts substantial work in Southern California but does not yet have an office there, we have implemented a pilot program under which HCRC staff residing within 100 miles of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, may apply to work remotely full-time.