Ascension LLC is seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Research Consultant – Court Business Process & Data Analyst to support a statewide judicial initiative focused on mapping data-related business processes across Maryland’s Circuit Courts.

This role is critical to the success of the engagement. The selected consultant will directly contribute to identifying variations, inefficiencies, and data quality gaps in court operations, ultimately enabling the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to strengthen data governance, reporting consistency, and decision-making capabilities .

We are looking for professionals who bring:

• Strong process mapping and business analysis expertise
• Experience working in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Ability to translate qualitative insights into structured, data-driven findings

This role is ideal for candidates who thrive in research-driven, stakeholder-facing environments and want to contribute to high-impact public sector transformation efforts.

Position Summary

The Research Consultant will support the execution of a comprehensive data collection, analysis, and business process mapping effort across all 24 Maryland Circuit Courts. The consultant will play a hands-on role in:

• Designing and executing data collection strategies (interviews, surveys, focus groups)
• Documenting current-state business processes across courts
• Mapping data flows, lifecycle stages, and system interactions
• Supporting cross-court comparative analysis and validation of findings

This role requires a professional who is:

• Self-directed and proactive, capable of working in ambiguous environments
• Skilled at engaging stakeholders and extracting meaningful insights
• Able to synthesize complex operational processes into structured documentation

The consultant will leverage tools and methodologies such as:

• Business Process Mapping (BPMN, swimlane diagrams)
• Qualitative research methods (interviews, focus groups, surveys)
• Data analysis and reporting tools (Excel, Power BI, Visio, Lucidchart)
• Documentation frameworks for data governance and process standardization

This position directly supports the Judiciary’s broader goal of improving data quality, transparency, and statewide consistency .

Key Responsibilities / Day-to-Day Activities

• Support development of structured data collection plans and interview instruments
• Conduct interviews, focus groups, and stakeholder engagement sessions across courts
• Document current-state business processes, including workflows, roles, and system interactions
• Map data flows, sources, transitions, and endpoints across case lifecycle stages
• Identify data elements, ownership, and dependencies across systems
• Analyze variations in court practices and assess impact on data quality and reporting
• Develop process maps and swimlane diagrams to visualize workflows
• Compile business practice inventories and comparative analyses across jurisdictions
• Collaborate with Project Manager and Lead Consultant to validate findings
• Support development of reports, presentations, and deliverables for AOC review
• Participate in bi-weekly status meetings and internal coordination sessions
• Maintain organized documentation of research findings and supporting data