Evaluation and Applied Research Lead

Hiring Department

Community Innovation and Action Center

Job Description

The Evaluation and Applied Research Lead is a new leadership team member of UMSL’s Community Innovation and Action Center (CIAC), which serves as a convener, collaborator, evaluator, data strategist, facilitator, and research partner across UMSL and the St. Louis Region — including leading the St. Louis Regional Data Alliance and Coro Fellowship and supporting a variety of efforts with the Children’s Funding Project, St. Louis City and County, St. Louis Community Information Exchange, the St. Louis System of Care, St. Louis Mental Health Board, and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). CIAC works to support UMSL’s mission to deliver exceptional educational, research, and engagement experiences that inform, prepare, challenge, and inspire across the region and state.

In addition to developing and supporting CIAC’s overall evaluation strategy, this Lead role will implement multi-method evaluation strategies to demonstrate the outcomes and impact of federal grants, including grants such as the Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities (CCR) grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the UMSL ADVANCE grant through the National Science Foundation. The Evaluation and Applied Research Lead will work closely with the project teams to navigate data collection and analysis from multiple data sources and partners to evaluate the impact of the program. These evaluations are meant to be participatory in nature, so the analyst should be comfortable working with community members and community based organizations, as well as academic faculty and staff.

CIAC aims for the Evaluation and Applied Research Lead to be a permanent position; it is currently supported by grants and will work closely with the rest of the leadership team on a long-term sustainability plan. Pay for CIAC Lead roles is $70,000 - $80,000 annually with competitive benefits. Together with four additional CIAC Leads and its two Co-Directors, this role will help build a collaborative, equitable, and exciting approach to university projects and partnerships that is deeply responsive to community priorities. This is a hybrid position.

Position is open until filled, though preference is given to candidates who apply before Wednesday, February 8th, 2023.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

Shift

40 hours/week

Salary

Pay for CIAC Lead roles is $70,000 - $80,000 annually.
Grade: 11
University Title: Director, Program/Project Operations

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 5 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience working in academia, project-based roles (like consulting firms), local government, nonprofit management, community development, social entrepreneurship, partnership management, or a related field.
• Substantial knowledge of evaluation and applied research methods, strategies, and project management
• Knowledge of community health workers and other community-based public health interventions
• Demonstrated leadership of collaborative projects with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to navigate university contexts and incentive structures

Position Specific Qualifications:

• Has a Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience in public health, public policy, urban planning, social work, education, or a related field
• Can serve as lead staff for specific CIAC projects, initially focused on the evaluation of a CDC-funded effort to expand the impact community health workers, where they will have demonstrated experience and/or an ability to:
  • implement multi-method evaluation strategies to demonstrate the outcomes and impact of interventions
  • navigate data collection and analysis from multiple data sources and partners
  • working with community members and community based organizations, as well as academic faculty and staff, on participatory evaluation and applied research approaches
  • assist with applied research projects led by faculty members, including community-based research design, ethical data collection approaches, and project facilitation;
  • design and manage implementation plans;
  • communicate with key internal / external stakeholders;
  • facilitate internal and external meetings;
  • provide project updates as needed;
  • complete other implementation tasks as needed.
• Supervise and support direct reports and manage hiring processes, as needed.

Qualifications for All CIAC Leads:

• Ability to serve on the CIAC leadership team, including: collaborate with other CIAC leads to promote effective Center strategy, processes, and culture; represent CIAC at community and university meetings; assist with fundraising and development activities as needed.
• Experience developing trusting collaborative relationships with community coalitions, partners, and stakeholders
• Experience facilitating action among a diverse collection of community stakeholders — including professionals at nonprofits and local governments, neighborhood advocates, academics, consultants, technologists, and students
• Experience applying racial and social equity frameworks to community projects
• Has strong verbal and written communication skills
• Can manage projects independently and transparently
• Can assist with developing funding strategies, proposals, and presentations
• Demonstrates commitment and ability to work collaboratively across emerging projects
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills

Application Materials

Applicants must prepare a cover letter, current resume and list of three references. Documents should be packaged as a single PDF and submitted through http://umsl.jobs

Inclusive Excellence Statement

As one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse campuses in Missouri, UMSL is committed to maintaining a climate where all students, faculty, staff and visitors can explore their interests, refine their talents and flourish. Inclusive excellence is embedded in our strategic plan which focuses on actions to recruit and retain diverse students and employees and promote activities that encourage civil and constructive discourse, reasoned thought and sustained dialogue in an environment of inclusion, respect and appreciation.

Benefit Eligibility

The University of Missouri - St. Louis offers benefit-eligible employees a wide variety of benefits including: health, dental and vision coverage effective on the first day of employment, retirement, paid time off, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents and employee and dependent life insurance. For more information about our benefits, please visit:

https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

Diversity Commitment

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

English Version

EEO is the Law Spanish Version

EEO is the Law Chinese Version