Research Consultant II, RHTP

State of Utah Office of the Governor•Salt Lake City, UT

2d•$30 - $50•Hybrid

About The Position

The Utah Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a five-year initiative funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) focused on building resilient, sustainable rural health systems. The Special Projects Coordinator, Research Consultant II, will support high-priority special projects and complex public health initiatives with a high degree of independence. This role also involves supporting the director, program managers, and data evaluation coordinator in overseeing the program's data and digital infrastructures, directly contributing to the RHTP's strategic goals: Making Rural Utahns Healthy, Workforce Development, Innovation and Access, and Technology Innovation.

Requirements

Qualtrics workflow architecture and data collection
Website management and content modernization
Document control, versioning, and shared drive organization
Strategic communication, including drafting slide decks, briefings, and external messaging
Performance metric tracking and data gathering
Ability to work with a high degree of autonomy while supporting a collaborative team

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of federal grant compliance and reporting
Understanding of state procurement and contracting processes
Familiarity with the Results-Based Accountability (RBA) framework
Proficiency in Qualtrics & Web content management systems
Experience in culturally competent intergovernmental relations, specifically tribal engagement
Proficiency with AI tools (e.g., Gemini)

Responsibilities

Act as a dedicated operational liaison assisting the data evaluation coordinator to track grant performance metrics and outcome measures across the seven core RHTP initiatives.
Coordinate directly with internal data evaluation coordinator, program managers and external subrecipient partners to ensure the timely and accurate collection of quarterly, annual, and final progress data required by CMS.
Support the administrative workflows needed to monitor the Results-Based Accountability (RBA) framework.
Lead strategic outreach and manage intergovernmental collaboration with Utah's tribal nations.
Build and maintain critical, culturally competent relationships with tribal governments, the Utah Indian Health Advisory Board (UIHAB), and Indian Health System (I/T/U) partners.
Facilitate ongoing tribal consultations to inform and guide RHTP support.
Develop high-impact presentations, slide decks, and informational materials for DHHS leadership, the RHTP Steering Committee, CMS, and community partners.
Synthesize complex data and policy goals into easily digestible briefings.
Architect and maintain data collection workflows in Qualtrics.
Modernize, update, and manage the official Utah RHTP website (dhhs.utah.gov/ruralhealth).
Draft high-level external communications, ensuring adherence to CMS Stevens Amendment requirements.
Independently manage specialized public health initiatives and coordinate interagency communications with sister agencies and internal DHHS partners.