"Researcher 5"

Job Details

About the Job

Position Overview

A 100% Researcher 5 position is open in the Institute on Community Integration’s (ICI) Community Living and Educational Policy and Practice programs. The position supports sponsored research projects currently funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the National Institute for Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR). The person holding this position will coordinate the day-to-day implementation of two to three research projects working with two ICI principal investigators. This is an onsite position that involves work within the community and semi-regular in-state travel. Research, evaluation, and development activities include co-coordination of the implementation of a randomized control trial of the Ready to Ride Transportation Training Program for Transition Age Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Minneapolis-St. Paul and Rochester MN, contributing to data collection and analysis of a project designed to develop a 21st Century framework for the community inclusion of people with IDD, and the development and piloting of a supported decision-making training program for transition-age youth with IDD and the family members. Successful applicants will need multi-tasking skills needed to contribute to multiple projects and support the achievement of project goals and objectives in a timely manner. Tasks will be multifaceted and vary depending on the specific project in question and current phase of research.

This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager.

Job Responsibilities

Coordination of Project Activities (40%)

• Serve as a liaison between ICI and community service organization partners for day-to-day project activities. This includes answering questions about training and research protocols; assisting with problem-solving; supporting participant recruitment.
• Task management: Oversee the progress of the project teams and help project staff accomplish tasks
• Communication: Keep project participants and community organizations informed of the project's status and objectives, and work with PI and CoPIs to identify and remove barriers to program implementation
• Reporting: Support PI and CoPI in generating reports about project to funding agencies
• Compliance: Monitor and ensure project compliance with IRB regulations and policies
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks that could affect the project's success and work with PIs and CoPIs to develop plans to reduce the chances of those risks occurring

Data collection and data management (20%)

• Build and manage relationships with research participants and project partners.
• Coordinate collection and management of qualitative or quantitative research data using project online survey data management systems
• Work with interviewers or interview participants themselves in a manner that maintains the integrity of data being collected
• Assist with preparation of data for analysis including organizing and securely storing research records, and reviewing incoming data for accuracy
• Evaluate data for completeness and accuracy based on established protocols and follow-up with data collection teams to clarify any questions staff may have related to the data itself or data analysis procedures.
• Monitor incoming data and produce quarterly brief reports to PIs/CoPIs and PIs/Co-PIs that summarize samples and findings.
• Communicate with project partners and participants to resolve data issues and ensure data quality.

Data reporting and dissemination (20%)

• Support the authorship or co-authorship of literature reviews, technical reports, peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and other academic products describing research findings for academic audiences.
• Prepare and proof tables, figures and graphs displaying research findings.
• Collaborate with the web development team to update data in online products as new data are released
• Assist with translation of research findings into knowledge translation products for policy makers, service providers, funding agency (e.g., brief reports of key findings and implications and other non-academic audiences (e.g., general public, people with disabilities, & family members
• Respond to technical assistance requests related to study findings from project participants, policy makers, practitioners, and people with disabilities family members

Recruitment (10%)

• Assist with recruitment of transition age students with IDD, families of transition-age students and adults with IDD, service providers, and other stakeholders to take part in projects
• Coordinate recruitment of project participants with supporting community organizations
• Determination of eligibility for inclusion in projects

Training (10%)

• Participate in training project staff and peer mentors from community organizations to implement the Ready to Ride Transportation Training Program with a high degree of fidelity
• Participate I the training for per mentors for the Ready to Ride program

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, public health, psychology, special education, public policy, or related disciplines
• A minimum of one year of personal or professional experience in working on projects focused on people with disabilities in human services, healthcare, or education
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for an inclusive environment for all backgrounds, abilities, and identities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of personal or professional experience working on research and/or evaluation projects associated with supporting the community inclusion of people with disabilities
• Working knowledge of human services policies and regulations related to home and community-based/waivered services
• Experience with respect to both data collection (e.g., interviewing, administering surveys) and data management as they relate to supporting the inclusion of people with disabilities
• Strong professional writing skills as evidenced in published technical reports, peer reviewed journal articles, or other print or electronic products.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Previous work experience or academic background in federal, state or local governmental social service or policy agencies (e.g., public health department or a Protection and Advocacy organization).
• Effective communication skills and experience working collaboratively with internal and external colleagues.
• Experience with Covidence as used in conducting scoping reviews and research syntheses
• Experience with NVivo or another qualitative software analysis application.
• Demonstrated ability to use spreadsheets (e.g., Excel), presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint), word processing (e.g., Word), and online meeting (e.g., Zoom) software.

About the Department

Department Overview

The Institute on Community Integration (ICI) at the University of Minnesota pushes the edge of inclusion through an intensive focus on policies and practices that affect children, youth, and adults with disabilities, and those receiving educational supports. ICI’s collaborative research, training, and information-sharing ensure that people with disabilities are valued by, included in, and contribute to their communities of choice throughout their lifetime. ICI works with service providers, policymakers, educators, employers, advocacy organizations, researchers, families, community members, and individuals with disabilities around the world, building communities that are inclusive. ICI is a designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, part of a national network of similar programs in major universities and teaching hospitals across the country. The Institute is home to over 70 projects and six Affiliated Centers, addressing disability issues across the lifespan.

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 $ 76,600 - $85,000 per year . 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

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.

Please include:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Proof of Highest Degree
• Writing Sample

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.