Needs Assessment Coordinator, Texas HHS

Job Description

Research Specialist V performs highly advanced (senior-level) research work by overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of mixed methods data analysis projects for the Division for Community Health Improvement (CHI). Reports to the Manager of the Surveillance and Data Analytics Group and is a member of the Child and Adolescent Health & Oral Health Epidemiology Team. Serves as program needs assessment and evaluation methodology specialist within the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (MCH Epi) Unit, with minimal supervision and extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Work involves overseeing, planning, and conducting needs assessments and evaluation studies, statistical analyses, research studies, and other projects, and interpreting research findings to gauge the effectiveness of CHI programs, projects, and initiatives. Work also involves directing and conducting qualitative data collection efforts including focus groups, key informant interviews, and other qualitative research efforts. Consults with research professionals, including staff both within and external to MCH Epi, to define and solve specific problems and to assure quality control for statistical analyses and research designs. Prepares reports, scientific papers/articles, and presentations for distribution and/or publication, including writing reports for federal and state partners. Performs scientific literature searches and reviews publications, research proposals, legislation, and state and federal policies to inform policy and practice related to CHI and public health. Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the impact of legislation, regulations, and policies affecting CHI programs. Provides data-related consultation and technical assistance to CHI program areas on needs assessment, health impact, research methods, survey development, and program evaluation/assessment of CHI practices, programs, and issues. Participates in cross-functional training and provides technical advice within MCH Epi and beyond. Represents MCH Epi and CHI on committees, workgroups, and projects to meet research and data analysis needs. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Essential Job Functions

1. Serves as program needs assessment and evaluation methodology specialist within the Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology (MCH Epi) Unit, with minimal supervision and extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Work involves overseeing, planning, and conducting needs assessments and evaluation studies, statistical analyses, research studies, and other projects, and interpreting research findings to gauge the effectiveness of CHI programs, projects, and initiatives. Work also involves directing and conducting qualitative data collection efforts including focus groups, key informant interviews, and other qualitative research efforts. (40%)
2. Consults with research professionals, including staff both within and external to MCH Epi, to define and solve specific problems and to assure quality control for statistical analyses and research designs. Prepares reports, scientific papers/articles, and presentations for distribution and/or publication, including writing reports for federal and state partners on the topics of child health, adolescent health, and children with special health care needs. (15%)
3. Performs scientific literature searches and reviews publications, research proposals, legislation, and state and federal policies to inform policy and practice related to CHI and public health. Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the impact of legislation, regulations, and policies affecting CHI programs. (15%)
4. Provides data-related consultation and technical assistance to CHI program areas on needs assessment, health impact, research methods, survey development, and program evaluation/assessment of CHI practices, programs, and issues. Participates in cross-functional training and provides technical advice within MCH Epi and beyond. (15%)
5. Represents MCH Epi and CHI on committees, workgroups, and projects to meet research and data analysis needs. (10%)
6. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the array of research planning, needs assessment, and evaluation methods; mixed methods research approaches including quantitative (statistical analysis) and qualitative (including focus groups, interviews, and other methodologies) data collection and analysis; scientific research methods, survey studies, statistical concepts and methods and their application to research analysis, analysis of large datasets; computer software applications, especially SAS or other software used to conduct statistical analyses, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access), and geographical information systems software (e.g., ArcGIS).

Skills

• Good coordination, communication, and writing skills; development of procedures to monitor and evaluate progress in achieving project objectives, including feedback to policy makers to provide input into the ongoing research process; strong project management skills to organize major project activities into a logical sequence with a reasonable and achievable set of deadlines; ability to facilitate meeting agendas to achieve planned outcomes and to convey planning alternatives or recommendations to a variety of audiences including DSHS staff, the public, and decision makers; strong technical writing skills to clearly and succinctly communicate project/research information for correspondence with state and federal agencies, grant applications and plans, state rules and planning procedures.

Abilities

• To work independently; to take initiative and participate actively in meetings, stakeholder groups and committees representing M&CH epi and working well independently as well as part of a team; to gather information from a variety of sources and to synthesize and translate detailed information into simpler terms; to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing; to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about research/data methods, procedures or DSHS policies; to assess the reliability, validity, and appropriateness of proposed data collection methods and designs; to plan, organize, and conduct assigned phases of complex research projects; to interpret complex statistical analysis, charts, and tables; to develop and analyze measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity; to formulate reasonable hypotheses and structure research designs to account for variables; to communicate effectively; to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to work with others as part of a team.

How to Apply 

To read more about the position details and apply online, click here!