Research Associate- Social Work Research & Public Service

Research Associate- Social Work Research & Public Service

Research Associate– CSW:

Social Work Office of Research and Public Service

Salary Range: $68,000 - $75,000

The University of Tennessee Knoxville, College of Social Work, through the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is accepting applications for a Research Associate. As a member of SWORPS Division of Applied Research and Evaluation, this position works in collaboration with the Associate Director and peers to develop and execute research and evaluation plans for a variety of sponsored projects, including projects related to child maltreatment prevention, child well-being, youth development, and early childhood education. We provide tailored and collaborative research, evaluation, and technical assistance services to create practical solutions and actionable results designed to enhance programs and practices that improve lives in Tennessee and beyond.

Key Areas of Responsibility

The following job duties include, but not limited to:

• Planning, designing, and conducting applied research and program evaluation activities
• Provide leadership regarding effective evaluation models, methods, and systems.
• Conduct and develop literature reviews related to field-specific research, evaluation, and assessment as directed or as needed for projects.
• Collect data through observations, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and review of administrative data.
• Ensure milestones are met and, when not met, work with Associate Director to devise ways to redirect applied research and evaluation activities or revise previously developed plan.
• Synthesize and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
• Translate the findings, as well as the methods that produced them, for stakeholders who are unfamiliar with evaluation practice and terminology.
• Author technical memos, TA tools, issue briefs, webinar presentations, sections of reports, and journal manuscripts.
• Support clients and partners on the use of applied research and program evaluation data.
• Supervise graduate level interns and entry level professionals in SWORPS Division of Applied Research and Evaluation.
• Communicate with SWORPS members from other divisions/units to produce work products.
• Support development of applied research and evaluation proposals in response to RFPs, RFQs, or direct requests from potential clients.

Managing client relationships and needs

• Develop positive and trusting relationships with sponsors/program staff.
• Respond to client communication in a timely and professional manner via telephone and email.
• Present applied research and evaluation findings to clients and other program stakeholders.
• Facilitate or monitor changes resulting from recommendations.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Act as program evaluation champion reinforcing with sponsors/program staff the notion that evaluation activities are intended to be helpful to staff and other decision makers.

Data Management and Analysis

• Identify potential data sources.
• Draw on a variety of evaluation instruments and procedures.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of using existing instruments and tools.
• Construct reliable and valid instruments.
• Execute statistical analysis/modeling.
• Liaison with clients/program staff to ensure data quality and completeness.
• Work with internal software designers to determine data specification and reporting.
• Organize and maintain client/program staff data sets for applied research and evaluation projects.
• Other duties/projects as assigned.

Education

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Sociology, Human Development, Public Health, or related field. Doctoral degree preferred.

Required Work Experience

• 5 years of work experience as program evaluator or research analyst (minimum of 3 yrs outside of coursework)
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative data collection and analysis skills, analysis of longitudinal data sets, and/or survey development.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing applied research or program evaluation projects including establishing project timelines, delegating work, and supporting team members.
• Fluency in participant confidentiality and data security protocols.
• Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Preferred experience

• Demonstrated skill in data visualization techniques.
• Applied experience with implementation science and/or fidelity monitoring.
• Knowledge of the field of Education (early education, higher education, and workforce development).
• Experience with leading multi-site evaluations.

Exempt Position: Market Range, 11.

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday with occasional weekends, evenings, and overnight travel.

WORK LOCATION: Remote- Knoxville, TN (position is remote with occasional state-wide travel in TN)

Application Process: Interested individuals should provide a cover letter addressing professional experience relevant to each required and preferred qualifications, a resume, and complete contact information for 3 professional references. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.