Consultant and Facilitator

Consultant and Facilitator

Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here .

Job Code 19221
Recruitment Pool All Applicants
Posting Number req6396
Unit L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs
Department Center for Public Policy/Survey Evaluation Research Laboratory, L. Douglas Wilder School
Department Website Link wilder.vcu.edu
Location VCU
Address 700 West Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23284 USA
Duties & Responsibilities

Summary:

The Center for Public Policy in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs invites applications for up to two Consultant & Facilitator positions. The Center for Public Policy (CPP) examines public issues and social problems through applied research and evaluation techniques to broaden and improve public discourse and decision making. The CPP serves the research and evaluation needs of federal, state, and local government, universities, and organizations in the non-profit and private sectors by providing a diverse range of research activities including polls, specialized survey research projects, evaluation studies, and community-based capacity development programs. The CPP also provides data management services, including set up and design of long-term data collection systems, technical expertise in multi-site data collection and training for data collection entities.

This position performs professional work with significant levels of independence, supporting the day-to-day management of the multi-year Safer Communities program evaluation project for the CPP. Responsibilities include: collecting and analyzing interpreting information; conduct geospatial and regional data analysis; facilitate consulting client interviews and workgroups, including planning, conducting, and documenting results and action items for current projects and for following on opportunities. Engage stakeholders to gather input, build consensus, and drive decision-making while ensuring productive and inclusive discussions to meet project objectives. Present findings to stakeholders through presentations, data visualizations, and reports in requests for proposals and communicate critical information to primary stakeholders.

This work happens in coordination with overall goals and objectives of the CPP. This position may also perform functions on complex web-based and mail survey projects to include: Literature search on topical or methodological issues, documentation of final instrument, cleaning and preparing data and documentation for transfer to clients, performing data analyses as assigned, preparing and participating in project briefings and training sessions, providing support when the CPP responds to requests for proposals, and other duties as assigned.

This position is only open to current VCU employees.

The employee understands that the continuation of this position depends upon the availability of sponsored funding.

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2024-2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 39. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu .

Typical Duties

1. Perform project direction/management for multiple, diverse, research projects:

• Able to create a clear and concise work plan on how goals/objectives will be met on program evaluation research projects.
• Able to meet goals and objectives of the projects assigned to manage in a timely manner.
• Successfully executives research activities associated with the project.
• Successfully meets deadlines on assigned projects.
• Communicates well with all those involved on the project.
• Provides frequent, constructive feedback to those working on their research projects.
• Demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish goals.
• Ability to conduct literature searches on topical or methodological issues.
• Documentation of final instrument.
• Able to program web-based surveys.
• Able to conduct descriptive statistics using SPSS or Excel.
• Ability to independently write final reports.
  

2. Engage with clients and potential clients in conjunction with principal investigators to assist with the design and execution of survey and evaluation research projects:

• Ability to provide clear and concise communication with clients.
• Ability to address the needs of clients in a timely manner.
• Ability to understand and meet client expectations.
• Ability to proactively update clients on progress of projects as necessary.
• Ability to proactively communicate other aspects of projects to clients as necessary.
  

3. Train and mentor support staff in matters of research administration as needed:

• Ability to create trainings related to general research activities and present to support staff and students.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor support staff and students.
  

4. Other Duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications/Hiring Standards


Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of professional skills and/or experience. Working primarily independently, exhibits excellent attention to detail, written/verbal communication, analytical skills, and the ability to generate/interpret reports; experience with Microsoft Office Suite; knowledge of or prior work experience with various social science research methodologies including sampling, research design, data collection, data management, and writing technical research reports. Works well independently. Strong in multi-tasking in a fast paced, non-hierarchical atmosphere and meeting direct time constraints.

Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications/Hiring Standards


Experience working with state agencies or state/local government; experience with business development; knowledge and experience working with a variety of individual and organizational assessment tools.
Experience with the Microsoft Office Suite including database design in MS-Access; experience with IBM SPSS; experience with the REDCap web-based survey package and IMPAN; understanding of staffing and work flow in a university-based public policy center; strong written, verbal and presentation communication skills; direct work experience with various social science research methodologies, including sampling, research design, survey design, data collection, data management, and writing technical research reports. Works well independently. Strong in multi-tasking in a fast paced, non-hierarchical atmosphere and meeting direct time constraints.

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements


Physical Demands and Activities (Essential):

• Light lifting (<20 lbs.)
• Pushing/pulling
• Standing
• Sitting
• Emotional Demands (Essential):
• Fast pace/Average pace
• Multiple stimuli
• Frequent change
• Intense customer interaction
  

M ental/Sensory Demands (Essential):

• Memory
• Reading
• Reasoning
• Hearing
• Logic
• Analyzing
• Verbal communication
• Written Communication

Application Information/Other Information


All applications should include a cover letter and a detailed resume with the names and contact information of three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

“Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability”.

FLSA University Employee
Job FTE 1
Exemption Status Exempt
Restricted Position Yes
E-Class UF - University Employee FT
Job Category University Employee
ORP Eligible Yes
Salary Range $58,000 - $68,000
Compensation Type Salaried
Target Hire Date 11/25/2024
Contact Information for Candidates

Cameron Carter
ccarter4@vcu.edu

Documents Needed to Apply