Research Specialist V

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.

The Research Specialist will be part of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Office of Data and Systems Improvement (ODSI). The position will act as an analyst in the newly established Applied Research Team. ODSI works to build a preeminent system for protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by partnering with DFPS leadership to continuously and proactively improve the agency’s processes, practices, and functioning to ensure optimal outcomes for the people the agency serves.The ACE division works with leadership to strategically use data to identify what parts of the system are working well and areas to target for improvement. The teams then work with the multiple divisions to explore the different aspects of a system (the people, policy, and processes) to find out why particular areas are performing well or need improvement. Working with leadership and, when appropriate, external stakeholders, the team brainstorms what to do, helps implement plans, and tracks and reports on progress.

The Research Specialist V works as a member of the Applied Research Team to design and deliver evaluations of DFPS policy and programs and further the team’s strategic goals of evaluation capacity building and driving evidence-based policy and practice. They work under the supervision of the Applied Research team manager with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. They provide technical guidance to policy and program teams, lead projects, and work together in cross-functional teams to deliver high quality evaluations.

Requirements

• Qualitative research skills including conducting interviews and discussion groups, and thematic analysis of qualitative data.
• Quantitative analysis skills - ability to conduct data analysis and interpret findings including both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques.
• Ability to creatively problem solve, including accessing needed resources from multiple areas and sources, and helping management think outside-the-box in developing solutions
• An attitude of customer service with demonstrated experience in team-building and collaboration - providing actionable and relevant recommendations, helping management stay focused on outcomes to be achieved, but being flexible and deferring to management with respect to how to best accomplish objectives
• Communication skills - the ability to communicate information orally and in writing in a way that is understandable for multiple different audiences, including taking complicated information and making it understandable
• An ability to work with staff, regardless of their role, from direct delivery caseworkers up to executive leadership
• Knowledge of evaluation concepts and methods including measurement, testing, random sampling, research methods, principles, techniques, and philosophies.
• An understanding of and ability to apply process and systems improvement principles
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university at a minimum.
• Ability to travel (up to 5%)
• Experience communicating with individuals of differing levels of experience, knowledge, and authority.
• Experience in quantitative data analysis and use of Excel, at a minimum.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in program evaluation, including experience designing and conducting large-scale or multi-site evaluations.
• Knowledge of the child welfare system
• Understanding of and demonstrated skill in project management - specifically being able to keep plans on track
• Master’s degree or higher preferred.
• Experience in qualitative data analysis using qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo, ATLAS.ti or similar preferred.
• Experience with SQL, Tableau, and/or an analytics tool such as SAS, Stata, SPSS, R, or Python preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth analyses and evaluations of statewide programs and initiatives to proactively identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement.
• When areas needing improvement are identified, support state office leadership and external partners in understanding root causes and implementing continuous quality improvement strategies.
• Identify and create tools or reports that encourage work efficiency and data-driven decision making.
• Facilitate and foster collaborative approaches to change, incorporating diverse perspectives through focus groups, workgroups, surveys, or similar methods.
• Provide technical advice to a range of internal and external stakeholders on evaluation design, research methods and relevant ethical issues.
• Present and explain complex data analysis in a way that is easily understandable and engaging for someone with limited knowledge of technical terms or analytical jargon.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees