Research &Evaluation Specialist

A National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), a national organization representing approximately 3,000 local health departments (LHDs) nationwide, has an immediate opening for a Full-time Research &Evaluation Specialist.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Specialist is responsible for providing professional support for programs or internal functional activities and typically performs moderately difficult analysis, research, evaluation, writing, and project coordination, usually under the direction of a Director. The Specialist understands policies, standards, and their application to their work. An advanced degree may be substituted for work experience on a case-by-case basis. The person typically performs analysis, research, writing, or project management and can complete projects or components of large scale projects/programs with little supervision. This may include project contract management and project management tasks such as shepherding contracts through the NACCHO contracts process. Specialists may have frequent contact with outside organizations or internal customers that may involve project coordination, information sharing, or resolution of problems. They may be required to represent NACCHO at meetings.

POSITION-SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Research

• Conducts, or provides support for, periodic surveys, interviews, or focus groups under direction of the Director of Research.
• Conducts cleaning and quality assurance checks on data, data collection instruments, and documentation.
• Performs statistical analyses on survey data.
• Conducts literature reviews and environmental scans.
• Independently develops charts, figures, and analytical text for briefs and reports of study findings (white papers as well as peer-reviewed abstracts and manuscripts).
• Acts as a consultant to other NACCHO staff by providing analytic support to research and evaluation projects across NACCHO, including providing expertise on equity and data methods

Program Evaluation

• Contributes to the design and management of evaluation activities for NACCHO programs under the Director of Evaluation.
• Conducts evaluation data collection activities, including interviews and focus groups, pre/post test of program interventions; qualitative and quantitative data analysis; report development and other dissemination activities.
• Serves as a consultant and subject matter expert (SME) to other NACCHO programs for evaluation activities.

Data Collection and Management

• Contributes to NACCHO-wide research and evaluation activities through quantitative and qualitative data collection, management, and analysis.
• Aids project and program managers in research management and administration activities, including contracts and project task management.

Other Research & Evaluation Contributions

• Co-authors written products based on R&E-led studies, including methodology, charts, figures, and analytical text.
• Performs other duties as needed.

COMPETENCIES AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Thinks carefully about the likely effects on others of one's words, actions, appearance, and mode of behavior.
• Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Demonstrates a desire and effort to increase knowledge around embedding equity in research practice
• Demonstrates eagerness to acquire necessary technical knowledge, skills, and judgment to accomplish a result or to serve a members' needs effectively. Has desire and drive to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to perform job more effectively.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant professional field with a minimum of 1-3 years of relevant experience and/or advanced technical training; or equivalent combination of education and experience, including a relevant certification. An advanced degree may be substituted for work experience.
• Experience working on a team conducting research or evaluation activities (quantitative and/or qualitative).
• Spreadsheet, word processing, and web-based survey software experience required.
• Experience programming with statistical packages (Stata preferred, but programming experience in other packages is alright as well). Experience computing basic descriptive statistics (percentages, means, medians) including cross tabulations and confidence intervals required.
• Ability to present data and research findings in a variety of formats that clearly identify patterns in the data and potential inequities (e.g., reports, oral and visual presentations, such as data visualizations or geospatial mapping)
• Ability to conduct telephone interviews and accurately summarize the content of those interviews.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Occasionally required to sit.
• Occasionally required to walk.
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to bend, lift or climb stairs.
• Occasionally required to lift light weights (less than 25 pounds).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The noise level in the work environment usually is moderate

 

SELECTION PROCESS:

Mandatory Vaccination Policy: As a Public Health organization, NACCHO follows CDC guidelines and advisories relating to the health of all. NACCHO has adopted a mandatory vaccination policy applicable to all NACCHO employees to safeguard the health of our employees from the hazard of COVID-19.

We only accept applications that follow the electronic process. No phone calls please. This position is subject to background screening. Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and complete the online application, with salary requirements to: PN-508 Research and Evaluation Specialist using the following link:

https://naccho.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/d555b5df-a005-fc9c-5a8d-007...

NACCHO offers generous benefits plan including but not limited to 13 days of sick leave annual leave allowable accumulation up to 225 hours, and paid vacation leave, as well as other types of leave. NACCHO benefits include a generous health, dental, and vision plan, 5 percent of base salary contribution to 403(b) plan, (not a matching contribution); paid short- and long-term disability plan and paid term life insurance. Hybrid Remote work available.

At NACCHO, our commitment to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action seeks to ensure a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.