Research AssistantAssociate (Survey Research Operations Manager)

Responsibilities

This position is responsible to the Center Director and reports to the Centers Managing Director on a day-to-day basis providing ongoing updates as requested.

Collaborate with Research Team: Work with researchers to translate study designs into practical data collection plans including sampling recruitment and incentive administration.

Project Management: Develop/update project workplans manage timelines oversee daily activities for data collection efforts.

o Coordinate with state agencies to ensure ADA compliance of survey materials including non-English versions.

o Coordinate with external partners including printing/mailing house and directory providers. Provide leadership at printing house to ensure adherence to quality control measures.

o Work with other lead researchers to prepare samples across several surveys including cohort rebalancing and creating lists for target remails and for follow-up efforts.

o Coordinate with CATI lab to monitor phone samples on an ongoing basis.

o Manage technology and systems needed for processing data and for tracking/monitoring progress (e.g. SPSS Excel Access SQL OMR software such as Remark).

o Work with other lead researchers to produce clean survey datasets across all modes conduct statistical analysis and produce data summary files and reports and other deliverable documents.

o Provide regular updates to survey team and Center leadership.

Data Collection Oversight: Manage the deployment and execution of various survey modes (mail web phone in-person) to maximize response rates and to reach diverse populations.

• Mail Surveys: Oversee printing mailing logistics and tracking returns. Work with others to oversee data processing of incoming mail including rigorous checks coding data cleaning and privacy protection.
• Web Surveys: Oversee the programming of online platforms such as Qualtrics managing access and monitor completion rates.
• Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI): Work closely with others to set up call center procedures/protocols including training monitoring interviewer performance tracking interviewing hours against numbers of completes etc.
• In-Person/Field Interviews: Coordinate field staff logistics and data collection methods.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control: Implement quality control measures.

o Ensure data integrity and compliance with IRB research protocols. Work with others on IRB submissions and amendments.

o Ensure all data collection methods strictly follow the approved research design and methodology.

o Monitor data collection progress and seek innovative strategies to increase survey response rates.

o Monitor verify and correct data quality errors during collection across all modes.

Staff Management: Assist others in hiring training and supervising survey research staff (interviewers student assistants support staff) and provide ongoing support and quality control.

Initiate grant proposals in the areas of survey research and/or program evaluation including: identifying funding sources and RFPs; conducting literature reviews; developing research question; designing research methods data analysis plan and data collection procedures.

Assist in the preparation of articles for consideration in refereed journals on an ongoing basis.

• 2-5 years of solid experience managing operations of surveys or similar processes especially in an academic setting.
• Excellent command of the English language both written and spoken. Bilingual in Spanish or Arabic is a plus.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

A strong working knowledge of social science research methods and experience in managing primary data collection procedures (mail surveys CATI lab web-based surveys in-person interviews focus groups etc.) and practicalities of implementation required.

Ability to manage several projects simultaneously prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines. Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Effectively utilize software necessary to convert and process data (e.g. SAS SPSS Excel Access Dbase Remark). Computer programming capability including CATI programming software is an advantage. Experience in statistical analyses is a plus.

Supervision skills and experience including effective recruitment strategies and performance assessment.

Flexible and adaptable style; a professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently and as a team player to take initiative and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time.

Strong diplomatic skills to present and answer questions and concerns effectively.

Outstanding written and oral communication skills

Annual competitive salary range is $65000 to $85000 based on training and professional experience. Benefits include health care dental vision life insurance retirement savings plan tuition assistance vacation and illness hours long-term disability long-term care insurance and flexible spending accounts.

Provide: Resume/Vita; writing samples including survey reports; transcript of highest degree (unofficial is acceptable); at least 3 references are required.