Researcher 5 (Title IV-E Program Eval)

About the Job

Position Overview

This position is fully funded by sponsored funds.

The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare is located in the School of Social Work in the College of Education and Human Development. CASCW supports the education and training of child welfare professionals, identifies and examines effective child welfare practice methods, informs the public and policy makers about various child welfare issues, and incorporates research and evaluation findings into School of Social Work curriculum and training opportunities.

The Title IV-E Program Evaluator hired into this 12-month, 1.0 FTE, annually-renewable Researcher 5 (9742R5) position works collaboratively with CASCW leadership to:

1. Develop and implement research to assess the effectiveness of the Title IV-E MSW Child Welfare Fellowship program
2. Develop and implement evaluation activities to assess the effectiveness of the Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) and Phoenix Learning Xchange Certificate (PLX) programs
3. Develop and implement research aimed at best practices for supporting graduates of Title IV-E Fellowship programs as they enter the child welfare workforce.

It is expected that the Title IV-E Program Evaluator will carry out their work with attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of the evaluation process and while collaborating with others in this work, including University and external stakeholders (e.g., Department of Children, Youth, and Families, non-profit agencies, child welfare agencies, etc.). Primary duties will involve evaluation design and implementation (e.g. evaluation instrument development, data collection and management, data analysis and writing technical and translational reports). The researcher in this position will also co-author reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, research briefs, and other dissemination products and present findings to a wide stakeholder audience, including researchers, administrators, and policy makers.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Job Responsibilities

Develop and Implement Program Evaluation (95%)

• Co-design and implement research and evaluation projects involving both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methodologies (e.g., research instrument design and development, data collection and management, data analysis, etc).Integrate a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all aspects of the research process.
• Collaborate on the development of reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, research briefs, and other dissemination products that provide useful information to researchers, practitioners, policy makers, administrators, and other stakeholders.
• Develop, monitor, and ensure compliance with standard operating procedures, data management systems, institutional review board, and relevant policy and procedures processes for human subjects research.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including representatives of CASCW, the School of Social Work, the College of Education and Human Development, and local, state, regional, and national stakeholders and partners.
• Develop and implement processes to ensure that work plans and timelines meet project goals.
• Oversee reporting to funding agencies, such as progress reports, and ad hoc reporting requests.

Administration & Planning (5%)

• Participate in CASCW, project-specific, and SSW Council meetings.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in social work, public health, education, or related social science discipline with on or more years of research or evaluation training
• Demonstrated capacity to consult and collaborate with external stakeholders from diverse fields, communities, and with diverse perspectives/experiences on project planning, research design, and dissemination
• Experience designing and completing analyses for research and evaluation projects that employ a variety of research methodologies
• Strong verbal and written communication skills – both technical and scholarly – to meet the diverse communication needs and styles of project stakeholders and the broader community
• Demonstrated ability to translate research and evaluation findings into reports and presentations accessible by frontline practitioners and educators
• Ability to work independently and in team-based settings
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for an inclusive environment for all backgrounds and identities
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in social work, family studies, education, or related field with substantial research & publication record
• Demonstrated project development and project management skills
• Experience providing technical assistance to community and University partners
• Knowledge of and experience working with statistical computing and coding software (Stata, SPSS, R, NVivo)
• Understanding of child welfare and/or foster care service delivery, including disparities and social inequities evident in these systems
• Understanding of evaluation issues pertinent to child welfare workforce development and systems change
• Direct practice experience working with children and families

About the Department

Department Overview

Founded in 1917 on its Dakota homeland, the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is part of a public, research-intensive university and one of seven administrative units in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). The School offers several graduate and undergraduate educational programs including: a PhD in Social Work; a Master of Social Work; a Master of Education in Youth Development Leadership; a Bachelor of Science in Youth Studies, and undergraduate minors in Family Violence Prevention, Social Justice, and Youth Studies. Underlying all these multidisciplinary programs is a social justice value base and a commitment to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in our society. The curricula of our educational programs, and faculty research and engagement, intentionally seek to emphasize and expand anti-racist perspectives, social, economic and racial justice, and decolonization. The School is the home to a variety of labs and centers that actively involve our students, staff, faculty, and community partners, e.g., the Youth Work Learning Lab, the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, the Center for Practice Transformation, and the Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy, an innovative partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services that is funded by the state legislature to further develop equitable child welfare practices.

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That’s why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay and Benefits



Pay Range: The salary range for this position is $70,000 - $80,000. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position requires that you attach the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).