Senior Research and Evaluation Specialist - Custody Health Services

County of Santa Clara•Santa Clara, CA

About The Position

Under general direction, the Senior Research and Evaluation Specialist plans, organizes, and directs research and evaluation activities focused on agency and departmental program and service outcomes. The role develops and validates service technologies and best-practice delivery models, and builds partnerships with agencies, departments, universities, and other organizations to share research resources. This recruitment is for one full-time position in Custody Health Services (CHS), on day shifts. CHS provides medical, mental health, and dental services to people in custody at four County detention facilities: Main Jail, Elmwood, Juvenile Hall, and James Ranch. Services include routine, urgent, and emergency care; acute and chronic illness care; preventive and specialty care; a 40-bed acute psychiatric inpatient housing unit at Main Jail; and integrated pediatric medical, mental health, and dental care for justice-involved youth. The position leads and supports applied research, evaluation, assessment, and cost-benefit studies; helps define research agendas and measures; manages research projects, grants, and contracts; and communicates findings to varied audiences. The specialist may lead projects and supervise a small number of staff. The selected candidate must be able to work in a correctional facility and pass a security background check. The role may require travel to alternate locations and assignment as a Disaster Service Worker.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Biostatistics, Criminal Justice, Epidemiology, Health Services, Public Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Work, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.
Three years of full-time experience conducting research, evaluation, or related activities in an academic or professional setting.
Experience must include completing one academic or professional research project whose findings were disseminated through publication, and participating in one professional presentation.
A doctoral degree in one of the listed or related fields may substitute for one year of required experience.
Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work.
If driving, a valid California driver's license is required before appointment, along with the ability to qualify for and maintain County driver authorization.
Ability to pass the security background check required to work in a correctional facility.
Knowledge of government organization and administration; fiscal and program management; and management, supervision, and training.
Knowledge of current research and evaluation methodologies relevant to programs, policies, and services at national, federal, state, and local levels.
Knowledge of funding-source research and persuasive grant writing.
Knowledge of best practices, evidence-based practices, empirical literature, relevant policies, and web-based resources.
Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including research design, interviewing protocols, instrument design, sampling, and data collection.
Knowledge of database conventions, performance measures, standard and statistical software, common computer applications, and English usage.
Knowledge of advanced statistical modeling methods, such as multivariate regression, categorical data analysis, and structural equation modeling.
Ability to lead research and evaluation studies and collaborate with County agency and department directors and managers to define research objectives.
Ability to use research findings to recommend evidence-based practices and inform policy recommendations.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to write, present, and negotiate grant applications.
Ability to develop research studies from research-question formulation through analysis and presentation of findings.
Ability to analyze, interpret, prepare, and present research and evaluation data to broad audiences, including through peer-reviewed publications.
Ability to apply qualitative and quantitative research methods in public and direct-service settings.
Ability to initiate, plan, and complete assignments with minimal supervision.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.

Responsibilities

Lead applied research, evaluation, assessment, and cost-benefit studies of agency programs, services, and community needs.
Help management define research and evaluation agendas, goals, and measures for implementing and assessing services.
Implement funded research and evaluation studies in compliance with funding agency standards.
Assist with preparing and submitting Institutional Review Board proposals.
Develop and manage research and evaluation grants and contracts.
Select appropriate research designs, sampling methods, data collection procedures, and analytical strategies.
Serve as a project lead and potentially supervise a small number of staff working on research and evaluation.
Coordinate or direct monitoring and evaluations of departmental and contracted services, including development of designs, criteria, and procedures.
Identify grant opportunities and prepare grant materials for research, evaluation, needs assessment, and outcome measurement projects.
Liaise with grant writers and collaborate with principals in other agencies on grant-writing activities.
Oversee reports, present research and evaluation findings to various audiences, and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed publications or conferences.
Serve as a departmental resource on relevant research projects.
Maintain liaison relationships with local governments, community organizations, planning agencies, and private groups.
Monitor grant compliance in collaboration with program and finance staff.
Assist with staff selection, supervision, direction, and evaluation, and ensure staff orientation, training, and development.
Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, including regression analysis, weighting, imputation, advanced modeling, interviews, focus groups, and participatory methods.
Conduct structured literature reviews and policy analysis using academic databases and mainstream search engines.
Travel to alternate locations as required in the course of work.
Complete assigned Disaster Service Worker training and return to work as ordered in an emergency.
Perform other related duties as required.