Research Assistant II

Job description

Job Description

The Health Promotion, Practice, and Innovation (HPPI) Portfolio, within EDCs US Division has an opening for a full-time Research Assistant II, reporting to the SPRC Senior Prevention Specialist. The position is eligible to work in EDCs Washington, DC or Waltham, MA offices and is open to telecommuters.

The HPPI portfolio includes a range of projects that aim to promote social and emotional wellbeing, promote mental and behavioral health, and to prevent risky behaviors such as substance misuse, violence, and suicide. Our project beneficiaries range from state agencies (e.g., state departments of public health and education), community-based organizations, and school districts. Our funders include federal agencies, state agencies, foundations, community-based organizations, and school districts. Our work includes trainings and professional development opportunities, technical assistance and consultation, and research and evaluation.

We are seeking aResearch Assistant IIto join our team. The Research Assistant II will work primarily on needs assessments, information gathering, and environmental scans. In addition, this person will support the state infrastructure advisory committee and other related projects for the State and Community Initiatives with the Suicide Prevention Resource Center project. The person in this position would contribute to gathering and presenting research and information to inform the discussion, debate, and planning of suicide prevention decision-makers at national, state, and local levels. The candidates primary responsibilities will be to support the state suicide Prevention Specialists who provide technical assistance and consultation to states and US territories in implementing the state suicide prevention infrastructure recommendations. They will be responsible for conducting literature searches, data management, maintaining files, assisting with data analysis, and generating correspondence, reports, graphics, and presentations.

TheResearch AssistantII will demonstrate communication, accountability, flexibility/adaptability, judgment/problem solving, customer service, and core values while fulfilling job duties.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

Under management guidance, the Research Assistant II provides support to qualitative &/or quantitative investigation efforts, including:

* Researching & analyzing, using independent judgment in consultation to support technical assistance needs
* Developing written materials and new resources based on literature scans and external subject matter expert input
* Providing or facilitating individual and group consultation on suicide prevention topics
* Compiling research for use with project work, including preparing presentations for conferences and events
* Documenting & cataloging
* Maintaining records
* Preparing recommendations
* Disseminating information
* Researching and gathering public record data and managing data sharing agreements and records with partners
* Planning and facilitating online/virtual events, including managing timelines, writing goals and objectives, recruiting speakers, and coordinating with tech staff
* Conducting literature reviews, including identifying the scope and inclusion/exclusion parameters for the review and summarizing findings
* Supporting development of PowerPoint presentations, information summaries, and other visualizations of data and information

The Research Assistant II:

* Coordinates data and information collection
* Facilitates project teamwork; engages collaboratively in feedback, including troubleshooting complex problems, proposing alternatives, and recommending or negotiating solutions
* Leads specific administrative tasks
* Assists with quality assurance
* Provides logistical support, utilizing technology experience to work independently
* May lead parts of a project or coordinate sections of larger projects
* May train junior staff; may provide direction to support staff
* May be expected to travel