Research Consultant SUMH

Job Description

This is a senior level research consulting job. Incumbents function as experts and are required to have a wide range of knowledge of the assigned subject matter.

Incumbents regularly consult with and make presentations directly to agency executives, local and statewide elected officials, legislators, and multi-state or national organizations.

Incumbents are authorized to use considerable discretion and judgment in the performance of tasks. Incumbents perform analysis of complex and critical issues impacting an agency.

Incumbents form conclusions, and develop recommendations for policy, programs, regulations, etc; determine goals and objectives, determine appropriate methodologies, information sources, sampling strategies, data collection tools, etc.

Incumbents provide high level expertise in research design, analysis, and data needed to examine issues, trends and program evaluations;

recommend policy options based on project findings and provide detailed cost allocation plans and impact analyses, and facilitate the use of research data to improve existing programs.

Incumbents develop or modify established policies, guidelines, practices, etc. Incumbents work with a high level of autonomy and discretion with little to no supervisory controls and errors in data / recommendations may have significant impact to the agency, local governments, and the public at large.

Incumbents may functionally or directly supervise.

Note : as of April 8, 2024, DHHS employees will be working a hybrid schedule, which includes 2 office days per week and 3 telework days.

Why work for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services? In addition to the rich benefits the State of Utah offers, the department offers :

• On-site fitness center, for a minimal membership fee
• UTA Eco Pass, at a discounted monthly rate
• Teleworking opportunities with a minimum 2 office days per week beginning 04 / 2024.
• On-site day care center at the Cannon Health Building with First Steps Day Care - contact for rates and availability, 801-538-6996

For more information on the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, please click here .

If offered this position, your employment will be contingent upon passing a background check and review. There will be no cost to you for this check.

This check will include fingerprinting, which will be available at various DHHS locations for your convenience. Fingerprinting will be completed prior to your first day of employment.

You may review the policy by clicking here.

Example of Duties

• Manages a research program; directs the research and / or analysis of projects by establishing priorities, setting goals, and developing research standards.
• Coordinates or leads program activities, services, and / or program implementation, etc.
• Regularly presents final recommendations and issues directly to senior management, boards, commissions, local governments, or the legislature.
• Develops and implements procedures in response to agency policy, state and federal laws, etc.
• Develops approaches for implementation of an idea, program or change in operations.
• Interprets, clarifies, explains and applies agency policy and procedures, business practices, federal or state laws and regulations, etc.
• Evaluates all aspects of research projects, project findings, and operational data regarding technical merits and implications.
• Writes policy and position papers, technical reports, articles or related material based on research, investigation or analysis.
• Designs, develops, and conducts a variety of research projects; determines appropriate methodologies, information sources, sampling strategies, and data-collection tools, etc.
• Analyzes, summarizes and / or reviews data; reports findings, interprets results and / or makes recommendations.
• Facilitates the use of research data to improve existing programs and utilization of resources.
• Testifies at hearings to provide pertinent agency information and technical support.
• Participates in conferences on technical improvements; reviews literature pertinent to research objectives, design, data-collection, and project implementation.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal and / or state laws, regulations, and / or agency rules, standards and guidelines, etc.
• Develops or modifies rules, policies, or standards, etc.
• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and / or facilitates decisions related to public information.
• Supervises and / or leads subordinate personnel.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Knowledge of applications and programming.
• Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Teaching others how to do something.
• Selecting and using training / instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.

g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Supplemental Information

• Effective July 1, 2021, State of Utah Employees must either reside in Utah or be in the process of relocating to within 30 days of their start date.
• This position may currently be a hybrid of both in-office and remote work days. Please note, a position's eligibility for remote work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion, at any time and for any reason.
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending;

carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.