Research Associate I

at  Centerstone

Centerstone is among the nation’s leading nonprofit behavioral health systems with thousands of employees dedicated to delivering care that changes people’s lives. A dynamic, well-established organization, we offer rewarding opportunities to serve all ages in a variety of settings. Come talk to us about joining the Centerstone team!
Job Description:

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Centerstone’s Institute works to support the organization’s mission of delivering care that changes people’s lives by generating knowledge that transforms behavioral healthcare and translating that knowledge meaningfully into behavioral healthcare practice. Our main goal is closing the research-to-practice gap so our clients can receive excellent behavioral healthcare and achieve their best outcomes. We bring technology, innovation, and multidisciplinary approaches to the forefront in all we do. We aim to set standards for the mental health care field as a whole.
As a Research Associate at Centerstone’s Institute, you will provide a wide array of support for evaluation projects, including Data Collection and Data Management, Research/Evaluation Planning, Data Reporting and Dissemination, and other tasks related to program evaluation. You will work closely with the Lead Evaluator and clinical program staff to achieve program goals and objectives and address any barriers to achieving these goals. The ideal candidate will demonstrate effective communication skills, the capacity to work effectively independently, and within a functional team, while managing responsibilities and prioritizing tasks in an environment with overlapping activities and competing priorities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to effectively work remotely and maintain a professional demeanor
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, supervisors and others.
• Possesses organizational skills to maintain records and coordinate other tasks.
• Skilled in speaking and writing to persons of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
• Familiarity with behavioral sciences
• Competent in the use of personal computers and software (i.e. Excel, Access, SPSS, Atlas ti). Able to perform basic qualitative and/or quantitative data analysis. Assists in quality improvement activities.
• Capacity to work both independently as well as within a team,.
• Capacity and interest in learning how to apply social science research methods to the field of evaluation, which aims to improve the performance or efficiency of individuals, groups, programs, policies, government and others, capacity to manage responsibilities and prioritize tasks in an environment with many activities and competing priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Level

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Associate’s degree OR equivalent combination of four (4) years of post-secondary education, training, and experience in social sciences, mental health, or experience providing customer service or technical support will be accepted in lieu of the Associate’s degree.

Years of Experience

• Minimum of 1 year of progressive experience in program evaluation or research, and superior performance on an evaluation or research project is preferred

Certification/Licensure
Possess a valid driver’s license, current auto insurance and willing/able to travel locally

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Standing – 10%
Sitting – 90%
Squatting – Occasional
Kneeling – Occasional
Bending – Occasional
Driving – Occasional
Lifting – Occasional

Research/Evaluation Planning and Organizing
Contribute to the planning, implementation, and maintenance of evaluation and research projects
Assist with the recruitment and tracking of evaluation participants
Conduct surveys, interviews and engage in other primary and secondary data collection
Support the evaluation team in the development of surveys, questionnaires, reports and presentations
Data Collection, management, and analysis
Collect and submit all project data as required by funding agencies (e.g., adhere to follow-up data collection schedules, conduct phone calls/text communication, maintain databases, and complete data entry within specific time requirements) as directed by the Lead Evaluator
Assist with coding and organizing data for analysis and interpretation
Use hardware and software for data management, data analysis, document creation, and system maintenance, that may include (but not be limited to) Microsoft Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, SPSS, REDCap, SPARS, Atlas ti
Data Reporting and Dissemination
Communicate clearly and effectively with staff, supervisors, and others of diverse social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds
Maintain accurate records, coordinate multiple tasks, and ensure comprehensive documentation of operations
Assist the Lead Evaluator, evaluation staff, and clinical personnel in the effective dissemination and utilization of evaluation information
Assist with the creation of data visualization graphics and narrative interpretation
When able, attend and present program findings at conferences
Organizational Development
Participate in Program Evaluation Departmental initiatives and meetings, Institute, and Centerstone as a whole, including attendance at Town Halls, Table Topics, Employee Resource Groups, and other developmental or educational activities as directed by the Lead Evaluator or supervisor