Community-Based Research Assistant

Heluna Health • South Bend, IN

13d • $30 - $35 • Onsite

About The Position

Heluna Health and RTI International are seeking a Community-Based Research Assistant for a courthouse-based research project involving justice-involved individuals in St. Joseph County, Indiana. The role involves overseeing research project activities and conducting all aspects of data collection for a randomized controlled trial. Key duties include screening individuals for eligibility, obtaining informed consent, collecting quantitative data, providing referrals to social services, and randomizing participants to an intervention group. This is a grant-term limited, 100% time position (40 hours per week) expected to start in summer 2026 and end in winter 2027. The work will be site-based in the St. Joseph County courthouse in downtown South Bend, Indiana, with operating hours from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. No overnight travel is expected. The ideal candidate is flexible, detail-oriented, possesses strong interpersonal skills, and has experience with data collection, trauma-informed practices, and engaging with justice-involved individuals, drug users, and those with mental health concerns.

Requirements

• One (1) year of experience with coordinating research and/or data collection
• One (1) year of experience working with marginalized populations, such as people who are justice-involved, use drugs, and/or have mental health concerns
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (i.e., Access, Word, Outlook, and Excel)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to take initiative and work independently
• Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and good judgement
• Ability to work with others in an office as well as community field setting
• Background clearance required

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
• Experience using computerized data collection programs

Responsibilities

• Organize all research project activities, including setting up and breaking down study materials, managing hospitality and flow in the courthouse lobby, stocking referral resource sheets and hospitality supplies, providing research participants with referrals to health and social services, randomizing participants to the peer-led court navigation intervention group, and managing and maintaining the participant incentive petty cash fund and receipt logs.
• Conduct all data collection activities, including screening individuals for eligibility, conducting informed consent processes, administering structured quantitative surveys, documenting personally identifiable information (PII), and operating computerized data collection programs (CAPI) on a laptop computer.
• Create environments of care, respect, and safety for community members participating in the research.
• Work collaboratively with the Court Navigator/Certified Peer Recovery Coach.
• Ensure compliance with IRB human subjects’ protocols.
• Provide ongoing feedback to the Principal Investigator and Study Director regarding field conditions, study progress, and study needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree