Behavioral Health Evaluation Specialist

Position Summary
Dr. Paul Lanier is the principal investigator of a research team called the Administrative data Network for Child Health Outcomes Research ( ANCHOR ) Project. While the positions primary focus will be supporting the ANCHOR project the Behavioral Health Evaluation Specialist may also contribute to other research and evaluation initiatives on behalf of Dr. Lanier. This project partners with a national nonprofit agency to examine outcomes of youth who have received evidence-based programs (EBPs) using linked administrative data. The EBPs include 1) an intensive in-home parenting program for youth at risk of foster care entry and 2) a community-based program for transition age youth exiting the foster care system. The project is currently planning to expand to a multi-state research network to better understand service effectiveness across settings and populations. The current project team includes faculty in the School of Social Work and other departments on campus and data science activities are organized through a team at the Sheps Center for Health Services Research. The Behavioral Health Evaluation Specialist will work with the multidisciplinary ANCHOR team including the PI and the Sheps data science team to track and coordinate activities required to produce research deliverables (e.g. research briefs data presentations journal articles conference presentations and summary evaluation reports). The Behavioral Health Evaluation Specialist will track timelines coordinate meeting schedules with multiple study sites and support the data science team activities for the successful development implementation and monitoring of data analysis activities. This includes conducting literature reviews measure development defining study populations developing research questions as well as tracking decision points and resolving gaps that occur during the planning and analysis process. This position involves collaboration with university faculty research staff and identified internal and external subject matter experts. This position will support behavioral health evaluation analytic activities through regularly attending team meetings developing agendas taking notes optimizing workflows and tracking milestones using identified project management tools. This hybrid position requires in-person engagement at UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work and the Sheps Center. This position will report to the ANCHOR Project PI (Dr. Lanier).

Required Qualifications Competencies And Experience
Professional experience working in behavioral health services research or program evaluation Experience coordinating projects using health services research and implementation science tools and strategies Experience coordinating teams focused on research design and using data to evaluate program effectiveness Ability to work both independently and collaboratively without immediate direct supervision Strong communication and organization skills and experience with process development and improvement

Preferred Qualifications Competencies And Experience
Masters degree in social work human services public administration psychology public health education or related field of study Experience working on teams using administrative data and electronic health records for health services research Knowledge and experience working with behavioral health systems of care Medicaid and child welfare systems Experiencing coordinating large multi-site research teams Ability to manage conflict and communicate effectively with a variety of workforce populations and settings