Public Records Analyst/Staff Writer

PROJECT POLICY ANL 3 (007398)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_4551

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

6/25/2025 3:50:24 PM

Date Last Edited:

6/25/2025 3:50:22 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1140O

Organization:

SCHOOL OF LAW

Division Code:

1141D

Division:

LAW DIV

Department:

025000 - LAW

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_4551

Position Description ID

240974

UC Payroll Title:

PROJECT POLICY ANL 3 (007398)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 21

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

1 - Staff: Contract

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

0.5

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40202467

Reports to Payroll Title:

PROF-AY-LAW

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40040696

Department Head Payroll Title:

DEAN

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

American prisons are deadly but obscure places. The Behind Bars Data Project's carceral mortality database is the only comprehensive, public accounting of the most basic fact about mortality behind bars: how many people died across state and federal prisons in recent years. Starting in 2017, shortly before prisons and jails across the country became the epicenters of COVID outbreaks, the federal government effectively ceased its publication, and much of its collection, of carceral mortality data. This reporting failure seriously impedes the public's ability to know who is dying in prison, and why, what racial disparities exist in mortality outcomes, and, ultimately, what can be done to reduce preventable deaths, improve conditions inside, and hold officials accountable. The Behind Bars Data Project's data and analyses serve as a partial replacement for--and, in significant ways, improvement upon--the reporting that the federal government has effectively ended. The Behind Bars Data Project obtains and cleans data from public records requests, compiles and publishes the data, and employs established public health research methodologies to understand its implications. Via its research and advocacy, the Project supports further oversight and reform of prison systems around the country while advocating for a renewed federal commitment to documenting deaths in custody. In addition, the Project collaborates with advocates, reporters, researchers, litigators, policymakers, and more to make sure that data are available, intelligible, and usable for their purposes. With a new funding commitment starting in April 2025, the Project will continue its focus on all-cause mortality in U.S. prisons and begin to expand the data collection work to include morbidity metrics. The Project will produce annual updates to its nationwide database of deaths in prison and intends to expand the database to better document the causes and circumstances of deaths in custody across agencies. It will also expand its databases to include any morbidity-related data it collects in the coming two years. The Project's research agenda will include national- and state-level demography of mortality in prisons and case studies on facility-level prison conditions that may drive mortality. We are a small team and work collaboratively, though remotely. The work we produce is intended for both technical and broader public audiences.

The Public Records Analyst/Staff Writer will be supervised by the Project Director. They will provide support and collaborate with the Behind Bars Data Project data team, data analyst and Sr. Data Scientist primarily but not exclusively by submitting public records requests, negotiating with nonresponsive agencies, and processing and analyzing data received. The person in this role will continue, support, and expand the Data Project's work of collecting data, conducting background research on carceral mortality, morbidity, and healthcare related policies and practices, and communicating project findings to the public, policymakers, and other stakeholders in a data-driven yet accessible manner. Examples of data that the person in this role will encounter include public information requests to state departments of correction, prison roster data, jail mortality data, National Death Index ICD-10 code data, and annual Department of Corrections reports.

Data Collection & Analysis

1. Execute comprehensive public records request campaigns to state departments of correction, county jails, and related agencies. (E)

2. Collaborate with Data Analyst and Senior Data Scientist to monitor request status, follow up with officials, and resolve data access challenges. (E)

3. Clean, validate, and organize complex datasets including prison rosters, mortality records, healthcare utilization data, and ICD-10 coded information. (E)

4. Conduct quality assurance reviews of incoming data to ensure accuracy and completeness. (E)

50%

Research & Policy Analysis

1. Perform in-depth background research on carceral mortality, morbidity patterns, and healthcare delivery systems. (E)

2. Analyze state and federal policies affecting incarcerated populations' health outcomes. (E)

3. Review and synthesize annual department of corrections reports and related governmental publications. (E)

4. Identify emerging trends and policy developments relevant to project objectives. (E)

35%

Communications & Dissemination

1. Translate complex data findings into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences, including policymakers, journalists, advocates, and the general public. (E)

2. Develop white papers, policy briefs, and research summaries that highlight key project findings. (E)

3. Create content for multiple platforms, including the project website, social media channels, and partner publications. (E)

4. Present findings at weekly team meetings and contribute to external presentations as needed. (E)

5. Maintain project communications calendar and coordinate with media outreach efforts. (E)

15%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

in related area (public policy, criminal justice, public health, data science, journalism, or related discipline) or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required

3 years or more

Equivalent experience/training in research and analysis

Required

Technical fluency, or significant literacy, in data collection and analysis.

Preferred

Demonstrated experience and proficiency filing and administering public records requests and cleaning and analyzing any data received.

Required

Experience with preparing white papers or other systematic summaries of material for policymakers.

Preferred

Knowledge of the criminal legal system/prison system and health disparities research.

Preferred

Familiarity working with quantitative data analysis and translational skills to serve lay audiences.

Preferred

Experience with blogging and social media to disseminate research and findings.

Preferred

Skill in data cleaning, validation, and basic statistical analysis; ability to identify patterns and trends in complex datasets

Required

Knowledge of mortality and morbidity data sources, collection methods, and analytical approaches.

Preferred

Ability to independently manage multiple concurrent projects while meeting strict deadlines.

Required

Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with appropriate discretion.

Required

Ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams while exercising independent judgment.

Required

Superb communication, analytical, and writing skills, including ability to translate data and policy for broad audiences.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

Age Requirement: Candidate(s) must be 18 years or older to be eligible to be hired.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and other remote work technologies i.e Slack, Zoom, etc.

Required

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Non-University Setting(s)

Location:

Remote

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.