Associate Researcher (OPT-In Data Liaison)

CHAPIN HALL CENTER FOR CHILDREN•Chicago, IL

3d•Remote

About The Position

Chapin Hall is seeking an Associate Researcher for a time-limited 2-year fellowship to serve as a Data Liaison for the OPT-In For Families initiative funded by the Doris Duke Foundation. This initiative is a multi-state pilot designed to strengthen community-based responses for families screened out from the Child Protective Services Hotline. Chapin Hall is the evaluator for OPT-In, and the Data Liaison will support site-specific data management, analysis, and reporting for the evaluation. The role will work closely with state/jurisdiction child welfare and self-sufficiency agencies, and community-based partners in one of four OPT-In's demonstration sites (Kentucky, Oregon, South Carolina, or Washington, D.C.). The Data Liaison will provide technical assistance to support data-informed decision-making for implementation and evaluation activities. Each Data Liaison will be assigned to support one OPT-In demonstration site and will work closely with the corresponding Chapin Hall Site Lead and jurisdiction partners. Preference will be given to individuals residing in one of the four sites to support strong relationship-building and a deep understanding of the local context. The Data Liaison will be responsible for assisting with the management and analysis of OPT-In program data and administrative data (e.g., # of families referred, outreach attempts, and services provided). The Data Liaison will assist with translating existing implementation and evaluation data to generate clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences, including community-based providers, government partners, and Advisory members with lived expertise. The Data Liaison will also work closely with community-based and jurisdictional partners to identify opportunities for new data analyses and quality control measures, as well as providing in-person hands-on technical assistance to improve data coordination, data management, and capacity building. The Data Liaison will assist all jurisdictional partners with OPT-In related case reviews, business process mapping, data entry, and reporting activities – all designed to enhance the evaluability and sustainability of the OPT-In initiative. This position is ideal for an early-career professional with strong attention to detail, communication skills, and high levels of computer and data literacy who is passionate about applying data to advance equitable systems change. Chapin Hall commits to supporting the development of leadership skills, policy analysis, and research competencies through direct engagement (i.e., workshops, training, educational/development), coaching, and mentoring. The position will report to a Chapin Hall OPT-In Site Lead and is a time-limited 2-year fellowship position. Chapin Hall embraces a Work from Anywhere approach, offering flexible remote work from anywhere in the United States. Our fully remote model is grounded in trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to high-quality work and collaboration, regardless of location. While our work is remote, we intentionally create opportunities for connection and belonging. We offer in-person opportunities for staff to build relationships and connection, team cohesion and creativity, and a strong sense of belonging to the organization. Staff are expected to participate in occasional work-related travel, including attendance at in-person All Hall Convenings, which emphasize shared learning, collaboration, and community. Reasonable accommodations are made for those who require modifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required (e.g., data science, statistics, public policy, sociology, economics, social work, or related field) or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Strong preference for candidates located in or with strong familiarity with one of OPT-In’s demonstration sites (Kentucky, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, D.C.), as each Data Liaison will be assigned to support a specific site.
Ability to travel up to 50% and work directly with jurisdictional partners in person onsite is required.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and requests, prioritize effectively, and maintain accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Demonstrated ability to work with data, including organizing, cleaning, and analyzing datasets, and using tools (e.g., Excel or similar) to produce summaries, reports, or visualizations for non-technical audiences.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) is required.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners (e.g., government agencies, community-based organizations), including communicating clearly, incorporating feedback, and contributing to shared goals.
Ability to identify data-related challenges and contribute to practical, solutions-oriented approaches in collaboration with internal and external team members and partners.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to translate complex information (including data) into clear, accessible written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.
Ability to work independently while managing priorities and proactively seeking guidance when needed.
Demonstrated judgment and discretion in handling sensitive or confidential data.

Nice To Haves

Experience with statistical programming (R, Python, etc.) is preferred but not required.
Experience creating data visualizations and presenting data in accessible formats is strongly preferred.
Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, or similar) is preferred.
Experience working with or alongside government agencies, child welfare staff, community-based organizations, or in similar research/evaluation settings preferred.
Lived experience related to child welfare, family support systems, or community-based services is valued and will be considered an asset, particularly in roles involving community engagement or systems navigation.

Responsibilities

Conducts data entry, data cleaning, validation, and quality assurance across multiple data sources.
Generates routine and ad hoc data pulls and reports of OPT-In program data for jurisdiction and TA partners to support implementation improvement, evaluation activities (e.g., engagement rates, referral outcomes, flexible funds distribution), external funding requests, updates to policy makers and state executive leadership.
Develops clear, visually engaging data summaries (e.g., slide decks, charts, dashboards) for diverse audiences.
Translates quantitative findings into accessible insights for non-technical stakeholders, including community partners and Advisory members.
Collaborates with Site Leads and jurisdictional partners to interpret data trends and inform implementation and decision-making.
Conducts in-depth case reviews to understand implementation approaches and makes recommendations for quality assurance and fidelity measures to the evaluation team.
Manages multiple concurrent data requests and deliverables, prioritizing effectively across internal and external partners.
Builds and sustains collaborative relationships with internal teams and external partners (e.g., state agencies, community-based organizations) to support data sharing, interpretation, and use.
Provides in person, onsite, hands-on data related technical assistance to all jurisdictional partners to support capacity building, rigorous evaluation data infrastructure, and long-term data infrastructure sustainability.
Coordinates across the Chapin Hall evaluation team and all jurisdiction and TA partners to ensure data accuracy, completeness, and alignment to support a rigorous consistent multi-site evaluation.
Performs additional duties as assigned.