Risk Assessment Analyst (Youth AI Safety Institute)

COMMON SENSE MEDIA•San Francisco, CA

7d•$90,000 - $110,000•Onsite

About The Position

Common Sense Media is seeking a Risk Assessment Analyst for its new Youth AI Safety Institute. This role involves executing comprehensive evaluations of AI tools and platforms used by children, teens, and educators to ensure they are safe and developmentally appropriate. The institute establishes safety standards, builds open-source evaluations, independently tests AI products, and publishes results for transparency and accountability. The analyst will work under the strategic direction of the Head of AI & Digital Assessments, focusing on rigorous execution of assessment protocols, data analysis, and report development. A key aspect of the role includes evaluating sensitive content related to youth safety, requiring professionalism, emotional resilience, and analytical detachment. The position is based in San Francisco, CA.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (computer science, psychology, education, public policy, or related).
3–5 years in research, data analysis, content moderation, or safety evaluations.
Demonstrated experience with technical tools to support automated testing.
Strong analytical skills, with experience in systematic evaluation methodologies.
Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to document complex technical findings clearly.
Ability to handle sensitive, potentially upsetting content related to youth safety in a professional context.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in AI safety research, platform trust and safety, or technology risk assessment.
Background in child development, educational psychology, or youth-focused research.
Experience with data analysis and methods.
Familiarity with AI platform APIs and testing frameworks.
Knowledge of privacy regulations and educational technology compliance requirements.
Experience working in collaborative, mission-driven organizations.

Responsibilities

Design and execute risk assessment test plans for AI tools and platforms used by kids, teens, and K–12 institutions.
Conduct comprehensive evaluations of major AI platforms and emerging educational AI tools following established methodologies.
Implement systematic prompt testing procedures.
Apply standardized evaluation frameworks across different AI applications and use cases.
Run batch and manual prompt testing plans to assess AI system behaviors, safety mechanisms, and content appropriateness.
Process and analyze large data sets from testing procedures to identify patterns, risks, and safety considerations.
Handle sensitive content evaluation, including potentially triggering or challenging material related to youth safety concerns.
Conduct comprehensive background research on AI tools and platforms, including literature reviews and technical documentation analysis.
Synthesize research findings to inform assessment approach and contextualize findings.
Prepare research briefs summarizing key background information, known risks, and relevant technical details.
Stay current with emerging research on AI safety, youth development, and platform risk assessment methodologies.
Compile and organize assessment data into structured formats for analysis and reporting.
Document testing procedures and findings.
Translate complex technical findings into clear, accessible reports for diverse audiences.
Draft assessment reports using Common Sense Media's voice, tone, and editorial standards.
Prepare executive summaries and key findings briefs for different stakeholder groups.
Collaborate to develop public-facing risk assessment reports.
Manage assessment project timelines and deliverables.
Supervise Risk Assessment Fellowship/Associate in executing research, assessment, and writing tasks.
Coordinate with subject matter experts and contractors for specialized testing or expertise.