Job: Research Specialist

Jobing Description

Research Specialist
Posting Number: #12-216
Closing Date: 2/17/2012
Minimum Salary: $35,000.00 plus/year
Position Status: Full-Time
Hours per week: 40
Benefits Eligibility: Benefitted
Department: Rural Health
Location: Grand Forks, ND
Position Description: The purpose of this grant-funded Research Specialist position is to provide research support to the National Resource Center on Native American Aging and other projects as assigned. This position provides support in the areas of research and data management. Plans, organizes, conducts research on health status and social environment utilizing a variety of research methodologies to collect, analyze, interpret and report data: Analyzes data and prepares statistical reports for various Native American tribes throughout the nation. Prepares statistical reports for state and federal Native elder agencies. Informs policy makers on the tribal, state, regional, and national levels through presentation of research. Is knowledgeable in research methodologies with strong skills in data collection, survey construction, data interpretation and analysis, and report writing. Collaborates with other professional researchers in research design, writing and presentations. Develops and updates health comparison template between individual tribes and the nation using federal agency data as health and vitality benchmarks. Participates in program development through the preparation of reports, research of specific data and collaboration with project staff and other agencies: Actively seeks out funding sources for projects falling within mission of the agency. Networks and coordinates effectively with individuals and organizations. Collaborates in proposal writing. Participates in the development of annual work plan for current and future funding periods. Collaborates with project staff in the assignment of duties, responsibilities and scope of work. Contributes to writing quarterly and annual reports. Designs and conducts regional training activities for Native American researchers in a variety of sites throughout the nation: Develops training protocols for tribal, state, and regional training. Provides training on needs assessments, data collection, sampling methodology, analysis, and dissemination. Infrastructure building through the construction of data driven goals and objectives is stressed. Utilizes a variety of audio/visual formats and teleconference technology to provide training. Knowledgeable in a variety of Native American cultures throughout the U.S. with an emphasis on Mid-Western tribes. Native American culture of storytelling and prayer are implemented into training when appropriate. Provides data management services to personnel using scannable survey instruments in data collection including dataset design, aggregation of files and technical assistance: Operates and maintains an NCS optical scanner. Configures scanner software for specialized instruments and prepares protocols for data management. Locate and extracts information from various electronic sources in SPSS, SAS, Excel or spreadsheet formats. Develops user files for clients in similar series of formats. Trains and supervises graduate and undergraduate research assistants in data entry, methodology, and analysis. Proficient in the use of statistical, graphic, and word processing software. Provides technical assistance on needs assessments, data collection, sampling methodology, analysis, dissemination, and empowerment through written form, the telephone and the Internet: Collaborates with tribes on sampling procedures, data collection, and dissemination. Prepares journal submissions, newsletter articles, in-house publications, and fact sheets. Directs clients to resources available locally and through the Internet. Gives direction on how data can be used to empower tribal programs and communities. Works alongside tribal and other clients providing troubleshooting and technical assistance.
Required Qualifications: ? Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Psychology, Public Administration, Indian Studies or similar field
? Specialized subject knowledge in statistics, gerontology and American Indian/Alaska Native populations
? At least two years experience working with Native American populations
? Knowledge of research methodologies, data collection, survery construction, data interpretation/analysis, and report writing
? Experience working with statistical data using SPSS
? Experience training field research workers in matters of sampling, data collection, and the use of survey data
? Efficient with MS Office, most specifically Word and Excel
? Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
? Must have accuracy and high level of attention to detail
? Must be able to demonstrate cultural competency skills or a sincere willingness to learn them
? Must be willing to travel occasionally to national, regional, or local events and meetings
? Valid driver's license
? Criminal history background check

Preferred Qualifications: ? Experience formatting and operating a NCS optical scanner
? Willingness and interest in working with American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian populations

Special Instructions: Please complete UND Application/Control Card form found online at http://und.edu/finance-operations/human-resources/ referencing job title and posting number. If claiming Veteran s preference, a DD Form 214 must be attached. If claiming Disabled Veterans Preference, a DD Form 214 and a copy of VA statement dated within past year must be attached. All applications must be received or postmarked by the closing date and have complete name and current mailing address.
Special Conditions: 100% grant-funded position.