The New Jersey State Office of Innovation

The New Jersey State Office of Innovation is looking for diverse and experienced team members to deploy world-class innovative and digital services that solve pressing public interest challenges for the people of New Jersey. Our work spans numerous issue and policy areas, and is focused on making an impact in the lives of the New Jerseyans that we serve. Our work has decreased the amount of time it takes to apply for Unemployment Insurance, made it easier to start, operate, and grow a business in the Garden State, and connected millions of New Jerseyans to government programs, services, and benefits.

Our team members wear many hats, contributing to both the execution of core projects and the evolution of the Office of Innovation (OOI). We use data and modern research, design, and development methods to inform our decision making, and we collaborate with stakeholders within and outside of government to understand and solve challenges. To learn more about the New Jersey State Office of Innovation, read our impact report and visit our About Us page.

We are seeking a fellow with a strong interest in public service and hands-on experience with policy research and analysis, a deep applied understanding of LLMs and their usage, and experience with large-scale project planning and coordination. 

\nScope of workWe are supporting several large-scale public projects with policy research and project planning elements. The team is piloting tools for analysis and regulation, including some in-house tools. The team is also supporting large-scale public development projects with research and planning efforts related to AI usage in academic research and education. The applicant will be expected to contribute to these efforts, from research and planning to project implementation.Potential Projects:

• Large-scale Public Project Planning: New Jersey is investigating opportunities for centralized computing resources that would enable access to cutting-edge technology for university research and K-12 education, and foster collaboration across the state. This initiative is in the early stages of development; research, stakeholder engagement, and surveys are necessary to understand the risks and opportunities with a large-scale public project. The candidate would perform research, participate in meetings, and coordinate stakeholders to align the project with the needs of New Jerseyans.
• Legislation and Regulatory Analysis: New Jersey’s regulatory code is complex and lengthy. LLM tools can assist in analyzing and understanding this code, and identifying  opportunities for improving resident experience when interacting with the government. However, direct stakeholder engagement through interviews, surveys, and meetings is necessary to understand real-world impact of regulations and laws. The candidate would support in using LLM tools for research, and lead stakeholder engagement to identify opportunities for alleviating burdens on residents and businesses in NJ. 

Experience, Skills, and Abilities

• Relevant education background: Currently pursuing or recently graduated from a graduate program related to public policy, technology, engineering, and other related fields. Strong applicants who are recently or are currently graduating with a bachelor's degree will also be considered.
• Familiarity with policy documents, regulatory systems, and legislative processes, and the ability to understand and communicate key points from complex governance materials to different audiences.
• Experience developing and executing research plans to answer complex problems with coordination of multiple stakeholders, including desk research, interviews, survey development, and other modalities. 
• Experience using generative AI tools for research, including a detailed understanding of how they function, customizing their application, and understanding their risks and capabilities.
• Familiarity with the academic research enterprise, K-12 and higher education, and high performance computing.
• Experience solving complex problems through the use of human-centered design, agile iterative development, and data-driven decision making.
• Proven skill in tackling problems with curiosity, engaging in inquiry, and understanding user needs to develop optimal solutions.
• Dedicated to advancing the mission of the NJ Innovation Authority and public service, with a strong commitment to accessibility and fostering a more inclusive society.

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We welcome applicants from a broad range of backgrounds. If you have any questions, please contact heather@innovation.nj.gov.

Compensation: Paid, hourly wage of $20-30 per hour dependent upon experience. 

The New Jersey Office of Innovation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer

We are deeply committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness and seek to create a pluralistic community for all. We strongly encourage people of color, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, LGBTQI+ people, those with disabilities, and Veterans to apply. We are committed to building a team that is reflective of New Jersey’s incredible diversity.

We do not discriminate against any candidate because of color, race, age, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, membership in an employee organization, pregnancy, marital status, status as a parent, ancestry, national origin, disability (physical or mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, retaliation, or other non-merit based factors.

Eligibility

You must be authorized to work in the United States. Candidates may be required to pass a background check and complete additional steps as part of the application and onboarding process. You will be considered an “at-will” employee, meaning both employer and employee have the right to terminate employment with or without cause or notice.