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Faculty Specialist/Research Assistant

Apr 27, 2026 | Job Opening

Faculty Specialist/Research Assistant

Organizational Overview: The Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy (MSCCSP or Commission) was created in 1999 to oversee criminal sentencing policy and to monitor the State’s voluntary sentencing guidelines. The MSCCSP is responsible for setting guidelines, as well as collecting, compiling, and maintaining the sentencing guidelines database. Data collected by the MSCCSP permit analysis of sentencing trends with respect to compliance with the guidelines, particular offenses, specific types of offenders, and geographic variations. The MSCCSP monitors circuit court sentencing practices and is authorized to adopt changes to the guidelines consistent with legislative intent when necessary.

The MSCCSP is a State agency within the Executive Branch of Maryland. The Commission’s staff office was set up under the guidance of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice to allow the Commission to benefit from the shared research resources of the University of Maryland. The office is conveniently located next to the campus in College Park, and all MSCCSP staff members are University of Maryland employees. This position is hybrid and open to Maryland residents and those of contiguous states (VA, WV, DE, and PA), as well as Washington, D.C.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Assisting with collection and analyses of sentencing guidelines data.
  • Compiling, maintaining, and distributing monthly and biannual jurisdiction-specific sentencing guidelines worksheet completion and submission reports.
  • Working with criminal justice partners to verify data.
  • Assisting staff with administrative daily operations such as responding to helpdesk inquiries concerning calculation of the sentencing guidelines and electronic worksheet completion.
  • Assisting with completion of performance testing and feedback documentation of the online sentencing guidelines worksheet application.
  • Assisting with writing meeting minutes.
  • Assisting staff with preparation of memorandums, reports, and presentations for the MSCCSP and for State policy makers, practitioners, and stakeholders about the impact of proposed criminal justice policy changes.

Education:

  • A bachelor’s degree is required.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree is required.
  • Demonstrated time and project-management skills, including the ability to work on multiple, simultaneous projects and meet multiple deadlines by maintaining a high level of organization.
  • The candidate needs to be highly motivated and able to work well independently.
  • The candidate will need to be a quick learner, as the position requires comprehensive knowledge of Maryland’s sentencing guidelines and sentencing policy in general.
  • Candidate should be accurate, detail oriented, enthusiastic, and flexible.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with data spreadsheet (e.g., Excel) management is preferred.
  • Experience with statistical software packages, such as SPSS, STATA, or SAS, is preferred.
  • Experience conducting criminal justice research and policy analysis is preferred, with knowledge of at least one of the following areas: sentencing, community corrections, prisons, courts, or prosecution.

Compensation/Benefits: The position offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid vacation, accrued sick leave, health, dental, vision, retirement benefits, and tuition remission. The corresponding benefits are detailed on the UMD Benefits website.

To Apply: Applicants should apply online via the UMD Workday Job Application Portal. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and a one-page writing sample. Applicants should also provide contact information for three professional references. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply by May 22, 2026, for best consideration. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Salary: $60,500 to $70,500 (depending on education and experience)

Location: College Park, MD

Closing date: Candidates are encouraged to apply by May 22, 2026, for best consideration