Junior Program Evaluation Specialist

ARA•Alexandria, VA

1d•$87,000 - $116,000•Remote

About The Position

The Capabilities, Analysis and Development (CAD) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is hiring a Junior Program Evaluation Specialist to support a multidisciplinary team providing data analysis, business intelligence, operations research, and decision support across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission space. The role supports evidence-building, program assessment, and data-driven decision-making for DHS Science & Technology (S&T) research and innovation portfolios and other DHS components. The specialist assists senior evaluators and program managers with logic models, data collection, and basic analyses that inform applied research, technology transition, and operational capability development. It is intended for early-career candidates interested in solving operational problems. The position is remote, with occasional travel to client and potential evaluation sites. Client offices are at DHS’ St. Elizabeth campus in Washington, D.C. The salary range is $87,000 to $116,000 per year, based on experience, degree, and relevant skills and knowledge. ARA describes its benefits as competitive and provides further information through its benefits website.

Requirements

Foundational knowledge of program evaluation, social science research, or performance measurement.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be able to obtain and maintain DHS Suitability.
Bachelor’s degree with 2–4 years of experience, or master’s degree with 0–2 years of experience.
Ability to collect and organize data reliably.
Interest in homeland security, science and technology, or applied research environments.
Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.
Flexibility to recognize when other methods may be appropriate.

Nice To Haves

Experience through internships, coursework, or projects in evaluation, data analysis, or program assessment.
Familiarity with Evidence Act principles, DHS mission areas, or federal RDT&E processes.

Responsibilities

Assist in developing evaluation plans aligned with the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act), DHS evaluation policies, and S&T strategic priorities.
Support the creation of logic models, theories of change, and performance metrics for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) programs.
Conduct foundational data collection and validation, including interviews, surveys, literature reviews, document analysis, and data analysis.
Perform entry-level qualitative and quantitative analyses under supervision.
Prepare draft summaries, visualizations, and findings for internal review.
Help track evaluation tasks, timelines, and documentation across multiple projects.
Ensure compliance with DHS data governance, privacy, and information security standards.
Participate in learning agenda activities and assist with compiling evidence inventories.