Research Associate I

University of Denver•Quinte West, ON

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Throughout its 75 year history, the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) has administered numerous externally funded projects serving children and families. The Butler Institute for Families (Butler), established in 1994, is affiliated with GSSW and is nationally recognized for our leadership and collaborative work at the national, state, and local level in evaluation, research, and technical assistance aimed at improving the quality of child, youth, and family serving systems. We bring together researchers, practitioners, public and private service system experts, and community members to: engage in program evaluation and research; examine outcomes; and provide technical assistance and training to program administrators, direct service providers, and community leaders. Currently, Butler conducts business in four primary content areas: child welfare, early childhood systems, tribal child welfare, and behavioral health. These content areas operate within a Research to Practice framework that promotes the use, adoption, adaptation, replication, and scaling of research and/or evaluation knowledge, and the integration of this knowledge in practice. In addition to the benefits offered by the University of Denver (see here for more details: https://www.du.edu/jobs/), Butler offers the opportunity to work with a dedicated group of people committed to using research and evaluation to inform practice and practice to inform research and evaluation. We also offer professional development and job growth opportunities, flexible schedules, and the opportunity to work remotely. Butler stands in solidarity against the systemic oppression of persons of color and American Indian/Alaska Native tribes, communities, and individuals. Butler intentionally partners with family and child serving agencies to create healing, positive systemic change and daily inclusive actions that reflect racial equity. Position Summary This position will support Butler’s portfolio of behavioral health and early childhood systems programs. The successful Research Associate candidate has significant research experience, preferably in tribal communities and/or communities of color. This position requires experience designing and conducting evaluation projects using culturally responsive methodologies, such as mixed methods approaches. Research Associates are responsible for supporting research design activities, overseeing data collection and management activities, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, report writing and dissemination, and collaboration with funders, community partners, providers, and stakeholders. This position may contribute to developing proposals and grants. This is a grant-funded position.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or relevant field OR bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related field and 2 years of relevant professional experience
3-4 years of experience (for those with a Master’s OR 5-6 years for those with a Bachelor’s) working in program evaluation or social sciences research, including evaluation planning, design, data collection, data management, and data analysis
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for preparing reports, presentations, and grant applications, as well as coordinating and communicating with project team and multiple stakeholders.
Broad array of research skills, including data collection and management, web-based survey design (e.g., through Qualtrics), data analysis and interpretation, proficiency with Microsoft Excel and statistical or analytic software (such as SPSS and NVivo).
Project management skills that can accommodate multiple stakeholders and tasks involved.
Ability to tactfully hold project members and leadership accountable to deadlines.
Ability to prioritize competing timelines and project deliverables.
Ability to facilitate teamwork and constructive interpersonal interactions.
Strong critical thinking and solution building skills.
Ability to work with members of various cultures and communities with respect and humility.
Strong attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in research methods, statistics, evaluation, and/or qualitative approaches
Experience with data visualization software (such as Tableau)
Experience designing and administering web-based surveys
Experience creating logic models and/or theories of change
Experience using mixed-methods approaches
Experience working with grant-funded projects in government, nonprofit, or university settings
Knowledge of child-, youth-, and family-serving systems
One or more years of experience supervising staff, students, or others
Experience working in Tribal communities and/or communities of color
Bi-lingual English/Spanish

Responsibilities

Provide project management for research and/or evaluation studies including establishing project timelines and ensuring timelines are met.
Participate in framing of research and evaluation questions.
Assist in developing evaluation plans, data collection protocols, tools, and methodologies.
Qualitative study design, coordinate, and conduct interviews and focus groups.
Quantitative data collection and conducting statistical analyses and interpretation activities under guidance from project Principal Investigators.
Guide team member tasks and activities on projects.
Maintain positive working relationships with clients, programs, and other key project stakeholders.
Conduct project management for research and/or evaluation studies or major components of complex evaluations.
Use a broad array of skills, which may include proficiency in Atlas.ti, NVivo, SPSS, and other statistical analysis/visualization tools.
May assist in writing grant proposals.
Participate in the development and presentation of results to key stakeholders, funders, and other audiences.
Contribute to reports, publications, conference presentations, and other dissemination opportunities as a co-author or co-presenter.
Communicate with community and interdisciplinary collaborators and act as a spokesperson.
Attend and participate in DU and Butler-related meetings, trainings, and activities, including organizational workgroups and Inclusion activities.
Other duties as assigned.