JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut School of Social Work’s Innovations Institute seeks qualified applicants for an Evaluation Specialist position to support new and ongoing evaluation projects. The successful applicant will be hired at either the Senior Evaluation Specialist (Research Assistant 3) or Lead Evaluation Specialist (Research Associate 1) level, depending on qualifications.

The ideal candidate will play a central role in planning and coordinating process and outcome evaluations of evidence-based models that have been designed by Innovations, including Wraparound (intensive care coordination), FOCUS (intermediate care coordination), Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), and Parent Peer Support. This person will also collaborate with local, state, and federal government agencies and other stakeholder groups supported by the Innovations Institute. Under the supervision of the Innovations research faculty, the Evaluation Specialist will help coordinate a team of research assistants tasked with collecting, processing, and analyzing data and will present findings to various stakeholders to inform future implementation efforts at the system and provider levels. Additionally, the person in this position will support the internal dissemination of evaluation findings, ensuring effective communication of insights across teams to foster informed decision-making. This role involves developing and refining processes based on lessons learned from evaluation data. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of children, youth, and their families!

WORK SETTING

As a part of the School of Social Work, the Innovations Institute advances research-based, inclusive, culturally responsive, and transformative solutions for child-, youth-, and family-serving public systems through implementation support, workforce development, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement (CQI). Positions with the Innovations Institute are fully remote, with expected travel to UConn’s Hartford Campus annually at the employee’s expense. A VISA sponsorship is not possible for this position. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Senior Evaluation Specialist (Research Assistant 3):

• Work closely with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including social workers, educators, healthcare providers, and community organizations to identify evaluation needs.
• Contribute to developing evaluation plans and processes, including study design, measurement, data collection, and data analysis.
• Incorporate innovative approaches to data gathering/reporting and problem-solving.
• Engage stakeholders throughout the evaluation process to facilitate data sharing, collaborative problem-solving, and data use.
• Provide technical assistance to service providers and public agencies in developing data collection procedures, building data collection instruments, regularly reviewing data, and providing feedback to resolve data quality and implementation issues.
• Manage data sets using statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, STATA).
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analyses that will provide actionable insights.
• Use data visualization templates and summaries to facilitate insights from the data collected for internal and external stakeholders.
• Tailor presentations and reports to suit different audiences, making complex data accessible and understandable.
• Use implementation science frameworks to guide evaluation designs and strategies to disseminate lessons learned.
• Work with policymakers and organizational leaders to integrate evaluation data and findings into policy and practice.
• Collaborate with researchers and evaluators from Innovations to integrate lessons learned from evaluation projects into future work.
• Perform related duties as required.

Lead Evaluation Specialist (Research Associate 1):

• The Lead Evaluation Specialist will be expected to complete all the Senior Evaluation Specialist duties and responsibilities listed above.
• In addition, the Lead Evaluation Specialist will be expected to:

• Work independently to design evaluation plans and processes.
• Oversee all stages of evaluation projects, from design to reporting findings.
• Oversee the preparation of evaluation reports by research staff, including reviewing reports for quality and accuracy, and ensuring that reporting deadlines are met.
• Co-author manuscripts to be submitted to peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to grant writing.
• Perform related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Senior Evaluation Specialist (Research Assistant 3):

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, social work, human development, education, public policy, statistics, information management, or another field related to children’s behavioral health and/or child welfare services.
• Four to five years of post-degree experience or have a Master’s degree in social sciences, social work, human development, education, public policy, statistics, information management, or another field related to children’s behavioral health and/or child welfare services and two to four years of post-degree experience.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative processes and outcome evaluation methodologies.
• Experience in statistical programming, data/statistical analysis, and interpreting findings using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, STATA) as well as spreadsheet applications.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and organizational skills.

Lead Evaluation Specialist (Research Associate 1):

• A PhD in social sciences, social work, human development, education, public policy, statistics, information management, or another field related to children’s behavioral health and/or child welfare services; or a Master’s degree in one of these fields with at least 8 years of post-degree experience.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative processes and outcome evaluation methodologies.
• Experience in statistical programming, data/statistical analysis, and interpreting findings using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, STATA) as well as spreadsheet applications.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and organizational skills.
• A track record of publishing empirical articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Evidence of contributing to funding proposals (grants and/or contracts).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with rapid-cycle evaluation, data visualization, and/or geospatial analysis.
• Ability to convey complex information in writing and verbally so that it is easily understood by stakeholders and organizations.
• Experience maintaining effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders to carry out research and/or evaluation activities.
• Subject matter knowledge related to children’s behavioral health, child welfare, and/or implementation science.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, end-date position subject to renewal based on funding and satisfactory performance. Positions with the Innovations Institute are fully remote, subject to the Alternate Work Arrangements Policy, with expected travel to UConn’s Hartford Campus once annually at the employee’s expense. Occasional sponsor-funded travel to contracting states and sites may also be required. Preference will be given to local, Connecticut-resident candidates. A VISA sponsorship is not possible for this position. 

Compensation and rank will be based on experience and will range from $80,000 to $105,000 depending on qualifications. A generous benefits package is provided that includes health, retirement, paid time off, employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and other benefits. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498623 to upload a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting will remain open until the position is filled, although preference will be given to applications received by October 1, 2024. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.