Child Welfare Research Associate III

The Research Associate III (RA III) functions in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary work team. The RA III leads data preparation and data analysis supporting research and evaluation projects or roles within complex projects wherein research and evaluation activities are a critical component of the work.

The RA III manages Research Assistants and Research Associates working on research and evaluation tasks including sampling, weighting, data management, statistical analysis, continuous quality improvement, reports and presentation.

Proactively, the RA III mitigates project implementation problems and identifies and pursues areas of opportunity to further support clients and project teams by developing and proposing appropriate solutions and services.

The RA III is responsible for collaborating with senior staff on continued strategic project, Center, and business needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

• Develops evaluation / analytic / methodological approaches (e.g., sampling, weighting)
• Manages literature reviews and information synthesis
• Designs and leads data collection instrumentation and protocol development including surveys, qualitative interviews, data abstraction tools, quality assessment tools
• Leads and oversees the development of data collection databases (e.g., survey administration through Alchemer) including programming logic and validation
• Leads and oversees (and sometimes implements) the implementation of quantitative and qualitative data collection protocols (e.

g., leads interviews) including monitoring (and addressing if low) data collection response rates

• Leads and oversees the preparation of data for analysis including designing and implementing data cleaning protocols, assessing, and addressing data quality, and staying abreast of, and developing, advanced data wrangling processes.
• Prepares client-ready written materials including, reports, PowerPoint presentations, issue briefs, and case studies that include data visualizations such as charts, tables, and infographics to convey findings and communicate information in a manner tailored to the intended audience
• Analyzes data with minimal supervision
• Quantitatively : Monitors the creation of cleaned, merged datasets, creates variables, conducts advanced statistical analysis including statistical modeling and simulation (using SPSS, SAS, R, Stata, Python), develops data visualizations
• Develops and applies advanced sampling weights
• Qualitatively : Oversees codebook development, codes, and analyzes qualitative data (using ATLAS. Ti, Dedoose, or other qualitative software), develops data visualizations
• Develops IRB and OMB submission materials with minimal supervision
• Assists with management of project budgets, schedules, and staffing
• Manages tasks and deliverables for contract compliance

CHILD WELFARE PROJECT-SPECIFIC JOB FUNCTIONS

• Leads and oversees the inclusion of disproportionality and disparity data and goals in capacities to complete readiness assessment, root cause analysis, and data capture and analysis
• Leads and manages the inclusion of family and youth centered practices in data collection and review, and state and federal processes
• Leads and manages jurisdictional consultation to select, implement, and monitor the use of risk and safety assessment tools and protocols
• Leads and manages jurisdictional quality assurance and continuous quality improvement (CQI) protocols and activities including but not limited to :
• Overseeing a jurisdiction's data collection process and tools
• Overseeing the development and support of a jurisdiction's CQI self-assessment process, project management plans, and teaming structures in preparation for federal review
• Linking quality-relevant findings with data collection process improvement
• Developing a jurisdiction's performance improvement plans based on federal review findings
• Supporting the implementation of improved data collection processes based upon performance improvement plans and federal review findings

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS :

Education and Experience :

Master's Degree and 8 years of experience comprising of 5 years of focus experience required. PhD preferred. (focus experience may vary based upon assignment).

Software Proficiency :

• Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• ATLAS.ti or other qualitative software
• SPSS, SAS, R, Python, SQL, or other statistical packages or languages.

Skills :

• Strong project management, supervisory, problem-solving, and communication skills within large, complex research and evaluation projects
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to conduct advanced statistical analyses with minimal supervision
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to write clear and concise copy with attention to detail and target audience focus with minimal supervision
• Ability to work with jurisdictions (project specific)

Knowledge :

• Advanced statistics
• Quality assurance and CQI (project specific)
• Family and youth centered practices

Language :

English fluency (oral and written)

LOCATION :

Remote or hybrid if within 50 miles of North Bethesda or San Mateo office

Physical Requirements :

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk or computer workstation.
• Regularly uses a computer, keyboard, and mouse.
• Normal or corrected vision to read documents, view computer screens, and perform tasks that require visual accuracy.
• Ability to hear and understand spoken information in person and over the phone.
• Minimal lifting and carrying may be required, typically light office supplies or documents.
• Ability to move within the office environment to access equipment, files, and interact with colleagues.
• Ability to handle occasional stress related to deadlines, workloads, or challenging tasks.

PREFERRED JOB REQUIREMENTS :

Skills :

Understands and can implement data wrangling procedures

Software Proficiency

Smartsheet, Monday.com or other project management software

Knowledge :

• Child welfare state systems and laws (project specific)
• Child welfare risk and safety assessment tools (project specific)

Data Science

SQL data analyses

LOCATION :

Remote or hybrid if within 50 miles of North Bethesda or San Mateo office

SECURITY and OTHER CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS :

Public Trust Clearance

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED : This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position, nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations.

Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

This position is subject to availability of funds and to any and all restrictions contained in the contract or contracts that provide funding for this position.

APPLICATION INFORMATION :

If you meet the minimum requirements for this position, please click on the "Apply" link posted below and complete the application.

Please include a cover letter, resume, and at least three (3) professional references.

Our company is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. Applicants can learn more about the company's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the federal "EEO is the Law" poster at EEOPost.pdf.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.