Research Associate
University of Denver

Denver, Colorado

This job has expired.


Throughout its 75-year history, the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) has administered numerous externally funded projects serving children and families. The Butler Institute for Families (Butler), established in 1994, is affiliated with GSSW and is nationally recognized for our leadership and collaborative work at the national, state, and local level in evaluation, research, and technical assistance aimed at improving the quality of child, youth, and family serving systems. We bring together researchers, practitioners, public and private service system experts, and community members to: engage in program evaluation and research; examine outcomes; and provide technical assistance and training to program administrators, direct service providers, and community leaders. Currently, Butler conducts business in four primary content areas: child welfare, early childhood systems, tribal child welfare, and behavioral health. These content areas operate within a Research to Practice framework that promotes the use, adoption, adaptation, replication, and scaling of research and/or evaluation knowledge, and the integration of this knowledge in practice.

In addition to the benefits offered by the University of Denver (see here for more details: https://www.du.edu/jobs/), Butler offers the opportunity to work with a dedicated group of people committed to using research and evaluation to inform practice and practice to inform research and evaluation. We also offer professional development and job growth opportunities, flexible schedules, and the opportunity to work remotely. Butler stands in solidarity against the systemic oppression of persons of color and American Indian/Alaska Native tribes, communities, and individuals. Butler intentionally partners with family and child serving agencies to create healing, positive systemic change and daily inclusive actions that reflect racial equity.

Position Summary

This Research Associate position is responsible for research and program evaluation activities, including project management, data collection, statistical analysis and interpretation, qualitative analysis and interpretation, as well as report preparation for projects within the Butler Institute. This position is a team member in the early childhood systems content area working on grant projects within Butler's Research-to-Practice framework. Responsibilities also include managing internal project team, coordinating multiple tasks and stakeholders, and collaborating to help write research and evaluation grant proposals and articles. This is a grant funded position.

Essential Functions

Project Management, Data Collection, Statistical Analysis and Interpretation

  • Provide project management for research or evaluation projects including establishing project timelines and ensuring timelines are met
  • Participate in framing of research and evaluation questions
  • Assist in developing data collection protocols, tools and methodologies
  • Verify the quality of data
  • Participate in conducting interviews and focus groups
  • Conduct statistical and qualitative analysis and interpretation activities under guidance from content area director or principal investigators
  • Present data in written reports, infographics, PowerPoint presentations and other dissemination methods
  • Ability to communicate research and evaluation findings with a goal toward data utilization
  • Guide team member tasks and activities on projects
  • Manage and execute the research study and make high level decisions about project direction and scope
  • Maintain positive working relationships with clients, programs, and other key project stakeholders
Reports and Dissemination
  • Contribute to writing of reports, publications, and dissemination materials
  • Participate in the development and presentation of results to stakeholders, funders, and other audiences
  • Present findings at conferences or other dissemination events
  • May assist with writing grant proposals
Supervisory and Other Functions
  • Supervise research assistants, GRAs, work study students, or interns
  • Attend and participate in DU and Butler-related meetings, trainings, and activities, including organizational workgroups and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion activities.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills for preparing reports, presentations, and grant applications, as well as coordinating and communicating with project team and multiple professional and lay stakeholders.
  • Strong analytic skills, including statistical analysis and interpretation.
  • Broad array of research skills, including data collection and management, statistical analysis (including proficiency in SPSS and/or other statistical analysis packages), proficiency with Microsoft Excel, and web-based survey design.
  • Project management skills with multiple stakeholders and tasks involved.
  • Ability to tactfully hold project members and leadership accountable to deadlines.
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize competing timelines and project deliverables.
  • Knowledge of child-, youth-, and family-serving systems.
  • Ability to facilitate constructive interpersonal interaction and teamwork.
  • Strong critical thinking and solution-building skills.
  • Ability to work with members of diverse cultures and communities with respect and humility.
Required Qualifications
  • Master's degree in social work or human services or bachelor's degree in social work or human services with 2 years relevant experience
  • 3-4 years of experience in program evaluation or social sciences research, including planning, design, data collection, data management, qualitative and quantitative analysis
Preferred Qualifications
  • 5 or more years of experience in program evaluation or social sciences research; experience managing evaluation projects and project teams
  • Knowledge of early care and education systems and policies
  • Experience with data visualization software, such as Tableau
  • Experience designing and administering web-based surveys, creating logic models and theories of change, and synthesizing information from literature reviews
  • Initial ability to frame research/evaluation questions
  • Experience working with grant funded environments in government, nonprofit, or university settings
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish
Working Environment

Standard office environment
Noise level is moderate at office location

Physical Activities

Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time
Often required to move about the office/campus and transport objects up to 30 lbs.

Work Schedule
Estimated Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Evenings and weekends as required. Telework/Remote work schedule available as an option, occasional travel required for projects

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 25, 2022.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 10.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $58,000-$65,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate's sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non-discrimination-statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

Advertised: October 11, 2022
Applications close:


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