Prevention Science Specialist

Job Summary

The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) encourages applications for a Prevention Science Specialist to join our team. We work directly with diverse partners and communities with the core responsibilities to translate scientific information to practical application, build capacity to use data for equitable decision-making, and enhance understanding and use of standard methodologies in implementation and evaluation of primary prevention strategies, including policy, systems, and environmental changes, at the local level.

The Prevention Science Specialist will provide a system of support, including training and technical assistance, to approximately 40 community partners in Colorado funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to implement the Communities That Care (CTC) model. CTC is a prevention science model that supports local community coalitions to make equitable decisions that reduce risk, promote protection, and address inequities in their community that supply to youth violence, substance use, and mental health. Future rounds of funding will include the implementation of evidence-based local policy and systems change strategies that promote protective factors. CDPHE contracted CSPV to own the statewide evaluation efforts of this shared approach in Colorado and provide communities training on using data for decision-making, integrating evaluation, and monitoring into local quality improvement efforts, advancing equitable approaches.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

CSPV bridges the gap between research and practice by working in partnership with those who seek to use prevention science to create a world where individuals, families, schools, and communities thrive. CSPV is engaged in deep reflection, learning, and discussion about our role in addressing systemic racism, oppression, and inequity in our violence prevention efforts. We are growing in this work and are deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization. Our commitments can be found here: https://cspv.colorado.edu/cspv-official-statement-our-role-in-dismantling-systemic-racism-and-advancing-equity/

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Training and Technical Assistance

• Translate scientific information into practical, applicable terms for a variety of audiences;
• Build local capacity to collect, interpret, and understand data, to identify and prioritize risk and protective factors, assess available resources in the community, and create a comprehensive community action plan;
• Cultivate local understanding and implement strategies that optimally address local issues;
• Create supplementary resources and trainings in response to locally-defined needs.
• Build community capacity to supervise and evaluate local-level strategies and interventions;
• Disseminate results of process and outcome evaluation findings to communities and provide guidance on how to apply data to local context and decision-making;
• Review community action plans to ensure standard methodologies in prevention science, implementation science, and evaluation are used in local comprehensive prevention efforts;
• Facilitate affinity groups for communities implementing similar strategies to encourage learning and collaboration across varied communities and contexts;
• Learn from communities to advise research and scientific findings.

Data Collection

• Conduct case studies and other qualitative research of coalition functioning, CTC implementation, and community-level strategies, as needed;
• Analyze qualitative data collected and produce reports of findings.

Outreach, Dissemination, and Reporting

• Prepare reports, presentations, proposals, and manuscripts to the funding agency and other partners;
• Develop external communications, including website and blog updates, and printed materials to communicate research findings;
• As appropriate, represent CSPV in committees, public events, workshops, and trainings.

Quality Assurance

• Review evaluation tools and reports to ensure accurate data are collected and results are reported;
• Improve processes to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Service to the Organization

• Contribute to a positive, healthy, expansive, and safe work environment;
• Serve on ad hoc actions teams to provide input into the way CSPV advances our vision, direction, and strategy;
• Advance equity and anti-racism approaches at CSPV;
• Attend staff meetings and activities to enhance organizational collaboration and learning.

What You Should Know

• Willingness to travel 25-50% of the time after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, including some overnights, to community meetings across the state (must have or be willing to obtain driver’s license and vehicle);
• A space to work from home with reliable internet access (a laptop will be provided). Due to COVID-19, we are currently working from home full-time, but will require 1-2 days/week in the office in Boulder, CO (additional days can be worked from home) when we return to work in the office.

What We Can Offer

Salary Range: $55,000-$60,000

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be Curious. Be Resourceful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s Degree in public health, social sciences, or related field.

What You Will Need

• Exceptional interpersonal communications skills, including ability to listen and speak to a variety of diverse audiences, facilitate groups and meetings, and write expertly;
• Flexible and adaptable to tailor a standardized process to meet local needs and context;
• Ability to understand the bigger picture, analyze the details within, and synthesize sophisticated information;
• Critical thinking skills with the ability to objectively analyze an issue to creatively find a solution;
• Ability to be highly self-directed, as well as a collaborative teammate;
• Accountability to self, supervisor, colleagues, and partners;
• Ability to address and resolve conflict directly and in a timely manner;
• Success in supporting excellence in diversity, inclusivity, and equity in a work environment.

What We Would Like You To Have

• Experience in advising, consulting, or providing technical assistance to diverse partners or communities to implement community-level systems changes, including policy, physical/built environment, and systems changes;
• Experience organizing and mobilizing efforts to address racial or intersectional injustices;
• Expertise in collaborative relationship building and working with community-based partners, including government agencies, non-profit agencies, schools, community members, and youth.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

During the application process, applicants will need to enter contact information for three references and we will request letters of recommendation and additional materials if needed, as the search progresses.

Please apply by Friday, January 8, 2021 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu