RIPL is a tech, research and social impact nonprofit organization founded in 2018.   We provide powerful scientific grade insights at the speed of policy directly to policymakers. We do this by adapting the best existing data and science methodologies for the government environment and enlisting the help of academic researchers to apply their skills and insights to solving policy problems.  

RIPL science has supported policy and process improvements in health care, education, social insurance, civic participation, workforce development, and criminal justice.  During COVID-19, we worked with Rhode Island to make it the first state in the country to pay out Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits to support Rhode Island workers after they lost their jobs due to the pandemic.  To date, we have helped over 70,000 RI workers receive their benefits.  In partnership with state and local governments, are currently launching a recommendation engine to identify skills among pandemic displaced workers and connect them to new careers, expanding an innovative nudge program to help low income high school students stay on track for higher education success, and developing new predictive models to stem opioid dependency.  

RIPL’s work is rapidly expanding.  As a result, we are adding many new positions to support the organization’s next phase of growth. As the Director of Technology at RIPL, you will own, innovate, and manage both the technology stack that internally supports our organization as well as the secure cloud-based data lake solutions we build with government partners to translate data and science into improved policy. As the first Director of Technology you will work closely with the Senior Director of Research and Technology to build out the engineering team’s working practices, lead the development of our software portfolio, and deliver streamlined cloud solutions to our local government clients.  You will partner with RIPL’s research faculty and in-house experts in behavioral economics to support “nudges” and data-and-research-driven applications to innovate and deliver effective public policy programs.

With a collaborative environment, all RIPL team members work cross-functionally.  Regardless of the team you join, you’ll develop a solid understanding of the technology we deploy, the power of scientific-grade research, how to productionize science for lasting impact, and how to navigate government partnerships to help government build lasting capacity for data-driven improvement as well as solving immediate needs.  RIPL’s staff are located all over the country but stay connected with online chat, regular coffee hours and in-person time when travel is possible.  As an organization we value quality over quantity, we believe our government partners deserve the best, we know that changing culture and systems takes longer than anyone ever thinks it will and we’re committed for the long-term. To learn more about what we value, check out our leadership values.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, experience, and skills: