Research Assistant (Per diem)

Job Description

SUMMARY:

Reporting to a Survey Manager, the Research Assistant supports data collection and related tasks for a statewide maternal health survey. The Research Assistant is responsible for supporting the day-to-day activities of the project, including preparing for and recruiting participants, administering surveys over the phone, entering completed surveys, and tracking survey participation. This is a hybrid position for which some in-person time is required each week. It is expected that the Research Assistant will work approximately 20 hours per week, with some evenings and weekends (Saturday).

[CREEHS](http://www.montclair.edu/creehs) is a University-based research and evaluation center that provides independent and objective program evaluation, applied research, and program planning services to state and municipal agencies, school districts, colleges and universities, community organizations, and foundations to assist them in meeting their program improvement and accountability needs in the areas of education, public health, and human services. Since its inception in 2011, CREEHS’s goal has been to help our clients collect and use information in ways that improve their programs.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Operations

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of survey administration processes, infrastructure, and workflows in alignment with state and federal survey administration protocols.
• Contribute to the preparation and submission of regular progress reports to the client (grant sponsor).
• Maintain organized project documentation to support reporting, monitoring, and compliance requirements.
• Assist with applications to and ensure compliance with the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Survey Administration and Data Collection

• Collaborate with team members to plan and carry out survey administration, including preparing and mailing recruitment packets and reminder letters, administering the survey over the phone, providing support to participants completing the survey via phone or email, receiving and processing completed surveys, tracking participation, and related tasks.
• Participate in federal, state, and team trainings related to the project.

Data Management and Quality Assurance

• Support data quality and data tracking activities related to survey recruitment, administration, participant tracking, and data entry.
• Assist with monitoring data completeness and follow up on missing or inconsistent information as needed.

The Research Assistant may perform other duties as assigned. Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a social science field, including public health, education, evaluation, public administration, psychology, or other social science
• Minimum 1 year of post-degree professional experience providing applied research, program evaluation, public health, or related services to clients or partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Bilingual Spanish proficiency

Preferred:

• Experience working in maternal and child health in an administrative or research capacity
• Experience supporting survey administration efforts as part of an IRB-approved research study
• Familiarity with research methods or following a standardized protocol
• Strong attention to detail, with respect to both numerical accuracy and proofreading
• Strong interpersonal skills, including comfort in facilitating communication in person and remotely
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing multiple projects and tasks while maintaining high-quality standards
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a team while also being able to take initiative and work independently
• Familiarity with the Google Suite (e.g., Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar)