Research Associate - Social Work Research & Public Service
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Full-time
Research
Posted on April 11, 2024
Social Work Research & Public Service
Regular Full-time
Salary: $50,000 - $60,000 annual
Location: Hybrid- located in Knoxville, TN
The University of Tennessee Knoxville, College of Social Work, through the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is accepting applications for a Researcher 2. As a member of SWORPS' Division of Applied Research and Evaluation (DARE), this position works in collaboration with the lead of the Survey Research & Data Analysis team and peers to develop and execute research and evaluation plans for a variety of sponsored projects. We provide tailored and collaborative research, evaluation, and technical assistance services to create practical solutions and actionable results designed to enhance programs and practices that improve lives in Tennessee and beyond. The external funding for this position varies from year to year so the specific responsibilities vary with each project.
Job duties for this position include, but are not limited to:
Survey Research/Program Evaluation Activities for projects that span content areas
· Assist in developing and updating survey research and program evaluation plans
· Develop or identify data collection tools
· Conduct literature reviews
· Collect data through observation, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and review of administrative data
· Program online/telephone surveys and monitor quotas
· Ensure milestones are met and, when not met, work with the Division’s leadership and/or peer evaluators to devise ways to redirect evaluation activities or revise plan
· Synthesize and analyze qualitative and quantitative data
· Translate the findings, as well as the methods that produced them, for stakeholders who are unfamiliar with survey research and program evaluation practice and terminology
· Communicate with staff from other units to produce work products
· Produce work products tailored to sponsor needs, including reports and presentations
· Tailor survey research/program evaluation findings to stakeholder audience
Data Analysis/Data Management
· Apply analytical techniques using SPSS, Python, R, or other data analysis tools
· Analyze data, identify trends, and visualize data (in graphs, charts, and infographics)
· Design, create, and maintain program dashboards and reports
· Liaison with sponsor/program staff to ensure data quality and completeness
· Work with internal software designers to determine data specification and reporting needs
· Organize and maintain sponsor/program staff data sets for survey research and evaluation projects
Facilitating data interpretation and use
· Develop positive and trusting relationships with sponsors/program staff
· Respond to sponsor communication in a timely and professional manner via telephone and email
· Present evaluation findings to sponsors and other program stakeholders
· Facilitate or monitor changes resulting from recommendations
· Maintain confidentiality
Act as program evaluation champion reinforcing with sponsors/program staff notion that evaluation activities are intended
Qualifications :
Education level/Skills Requirements:
· Master’s degree in public administration, psychology, public health, or related field in social/behavioral sciences
· 2 years social science research/program evaluation experience including work related to database records management or data analysis
· Demonstrated experience with in use of statistical software and data visualization tools (SPSS, SAS, R, Tableau)
· Demonstrated experience with survey programming
· Demonstrated experience with Microsoft platforms including Excel, Visio, Outlook, and PowerPoint
Preferred Education level/skills:
· Doctorate degree in public administration, psychology, public health, or related field in social/behavioral sciences
· Previous experience with ArcGIS or other mapping software
· Experience with Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) software
· Experience with Institution Review Board and guidelines for Human Subjects Research
Competencies/Qualifications:
· Knowledge of research design and statistical concepts and principles
· Proficiency in SPSS, SAS or R including writing code to automate tasks and generate reports
· Knowledgeable about qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methodologies
· Knowledgeable about data collection methods and methods for protecting confidential data
· Demonstrated experience of strong observational, analytical, and critical thinking skills to be able to review trends, information, and outcomes and deduce reasons for the results and consider alternative possibilities for conclusions and recommendations
· Demonstrated strong communication skills to be able to provide clear and concise written and verbal reports that outline findings and highlight the reasoning behind recommendations
· Strong ability to understand the context of a program and how it affects evaluation projects
· Ability to prioritize tasks, follow through to complete assignments in a timely and accurate manner
· Proficiency in MS Office platforms including Excel, Visio, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
· Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
· Ability to work on multiple projects/tasks simultaneously.
