Research Analyst

CAREER DESCRIPTIONRESEARCH ANALYST(Crime Intelligence Analyst)This recruitment is open to the public and will remain open on a continuous basis for a minimum of five (5) business days, until the needs of the Department are met. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.RECRUITMENT/POSITION INFORMATIONThis recruitment is being held to establish an Open Eligible List to a fill a vacancy in this class until the next recruitment. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications. THE OPPORTUNITYThe Research Analyst performs research and analysis at an experienced professional level. Under general supervision or direction, the analyst will work with criminal justice systems, various databases, to include but not limited to geographic information systems, analyze publicly safety support, while operating in accordance with the organization's legal and policy constraints. The candidate will possess a U.S. Government SECRET clearance once employed and must maintain their clearance throughout the course of employment.THE DIVISIONThe Crime Analysis Unit collects, organizes, analyzes, and interprets crime and incident data for evaluation of past performance and to identify criminal activity patterns and trends for operational deployment, tactical intervention, strategic planning, and management analysis.The Orange County Real Time Operation Center (RTOC) is a state of the art centralized location where law enforcement personnel accumulate and analyze publicly available information and data from several law enforcement databases in real time.The RTOC is designed to provide the Orange County Sheriff's Department with the ability to capitalize on a wide range of technologies for a well-organized and effective policing strategy within our county. These efforts allow deputies to respond safely and swiftly to crimes in progress or that have recently occurred. The technology at our disposal allows the analysts to assist deputies in responding to crimes more resourcefully and consciously, with improved operational intelligence and a proactive concentration on community and officer safety.GENERAL DUTIESIndependently designs, quantitative, qualitative or mixed method strategies for case study projects that align with department projects, services, initiatives, and other efforts. Consults with supervisor, program managers and staff to clarify project objectives, scope, and methodology, and to provide recommendations for evidence-based decision-making. Reviews technical publications, evaluation studies, and other appropriate resources to recommend evidence-based methods and ensure alignment with best practices in areas such as criminal and juvenile justice systems. Selects and applies appropriate statistical and analytical techniques to assist in daily operations and investigations. Collects, compiles, and validates data from appropriate primary and secondary sources, administrative records and databases. Applies basic geospatial analysis techniques using established methods to visualize, interpret, and analyze spatial patterns and relationships in program data (e.g., mapping crime patterns, crime maps) using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Conducts program-focused analyses to identify trends, gaps, and areas for proactive policing. Prepares summary findings using software tools such as MS Excel, MS Access, ArcGIS, CAD, RMS, DOJ systems, and other applications. Coordinates with technical staff to ensure data systems and reporting tools capture information necessary for evaluation, decision-making, and feedback to support the design or improvement of databases, dashboards, or applications used to manage and analyze program data. Assists patrol operations in real-time analysis of persons, places, vehicles, etc. May provide technical guidance and quality control to entry Research Analysts, program staff, and/or clerical staff on a project basis; ensures timely completion of project deliverables. May assist in compiling, transmitting, or relating investigative information in real-time to prosecutors or law enforcement personnel in support of active cases or field operations.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONSThe ideal candidate will have experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SQL Server software databases, ArcGIS, and have knowledge of python (or similar computer programming language) and cell phone analysis software; possess a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution with course work in Criminal Justice, Social Services, Computer Science, or closely related field. Possession of a Crime and Intelligence Analyst Certificate issued by a recognized institution; one or more years of experience working as a crime intelligence analyst for a government agency. Ability to obtain and maintain a secret clearance; proficient accessing, applying, and operating standard analytical software independently.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSThorough Knowledge of:Principles and methods of program evaluation, quality improvement, and sampling frameworks for applied research and program assessmentMethods of organizing data and findings into reports, tables, charts, graphs, and visual dashboardsGeneral Knowledge of: Principles and methods of descriptive statistics and data summarization on techniques used to interpret patterns and trends in dataPrinciples and practices of a, professional or technical field as they apply to a particular County program, depending on area of assignment, such as, but not limited to, social welfare, public health, behavioral health, urban systems and public facilities analysis, or criminal/juvenile justice systemsMethods and techniques for collecting, cleaning, and preparing data from administrative records, surveys, and other program data sourcesSoftware tools used to analyze and visualize data (e.g., Excel, Power BI, SPSS, R, SQL, and other applicationsAbility to: Apply principles of logic and applied evaluation methods to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts and develop valid conclusions and recommendationsOrganize and collaborate on developing an efficient plan for collecting and summarizing different types of data (i.e., qualitative, quantitative)Apply appropriate formula or method to summarize data from program evaluations, administrative records, and other sourcesRead and understand specialized information and terminology in a particular professional or technical field, relevant to area of assignment