I.
Title:
RESEARCH ANALYST : PHHP
Division:
Muskie School
Department: Catherine Cutler Institute for Health and
Social Policy
Location: Augusta
Schedule: Full-time: Flexible
Organizational Relationships:
Reports to: Policy Associate I: PHHP
Supervises: Interns, Research/Policy Assistants, delegates work to support staff.
Coordinates with:
II.
III.
Project staff, Institute and University Staff, state agencies
including the Maine Department of Health and Human Services,
local and regional partners.
Statement of the Job:
The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the development and implementation of
research design and evaluation plans related to public health research questions and programs,
collaboratively with University partners in accordance with funding. The Analyst directs small
projects and portions of larger projects while working independently and as part of multiple
teams. Major responsibilities include the creation and implementation of data collection
protocols, identification and review of the relevant research literature, writing literature
reviews, writing portions of funding applications, determining evidence-based best practices,
and application of health-related data and qualitative data collection. Research and project
initiatives focus on facilitating policy and environmental changes to bring about desirable
behavior changes in targeted populations. Responsibilities also include coordination of project
activities among various partners, review of existing public health assessment tools and training
materials, writing, evaluation and disseminatation of reports, and is active involvement in
project development and Institute work groups and committees.
Essential Functions:
A. Project Design and Proposal Development
1. Independently and with others, defines data and analytic needs.
2. Assists in developing research design, research questions and work plans.
3. Identifies and contributes to project topics and opportunities.
4. Develops and contributes to proposals.
B. Project Administration and Implementation
1. Develops project plans and prepares administrative reports.
2. Monitors monthly budget expenditures.
3. Develops instruction and training for data collection as required for specific projects.
4. Provides data collection training to staff and external partners.
5. Prepares reports for funders on small projects and contributes to reports to funders on
large and complex projects.
6. Acts as a team leader for small, discrete projects and portions of projects as assigned.
7. Assists project director with managing project budget and monitoring work plan.
C. Applied Research
1. Develops and conducts needs assessments and develops evaluation plans.
2. Develops technical approach for analytic plan.
3. Identifies, defines and documents information needs and potential sources of data.
4. Designs data collection tools and develops primary data collection protocols.
5. Collects and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data from case studies, surveys, site
visits and informant interviews.
6. Identifies and evaluates the integrity and relevance of data sources.
D. Publication and Dissemination
1. Writes and disseminates, project reports, presentations, papers, articles and other
scholarly publications.
2. Attends and participates in staff meetings and workgroups, and writes components of
reports in order to contribute to the effective functioning of the organization.
IV.
Marginal Functions:
1. Works with team to identify potential audiences for research initiatives; meets with and
presents to university partners, community leaders and staff to explain research goals and
activities to expand the existing body of knowledge.
2. Identifies potential grant opportunities, conducts literature reviews and compiles supporting
materials. Assists with the preparation of funding applications.
3. Identifies opportunities for students and other academic collaborations.
V.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Provides task supervision to research/policy assistants and students, as appropriate.
VI.
Budget Responsibilities:
Works within budget specifications and monitors expenditures for maintaining a project budget
in excess of $100,000.
VII.
Public/Professional Activities:
Makes presentations at professional conferences or forums; provides assistance to community
agencies, legislators, state agency staff or others on issues related to the research design, data
collection, analyses or evaluation; works with other staff in preparing journal articles or other
materials for scholarly publications. Involved in state or national professional associations.
VIII. Internal and External Contacts:
Muskie School and State level colleagues and co-workers, MNN partners, various public and
private organizations and individuals in the field.
IX.
Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:
1. Demonstrated ability in all aspects of research design.
2. Experience with design of data collection protocols.
3. Demonstrated knowledge and experience incorporating consumer perspectives into all
aspects of research.
4. Demonstrated analytical skills in conducting project evaluations.
5. Experience in managing research and evaluation components of projects and the capability to
work on multiple projects simultaneously.
6. Experience with the development and dissemination of policy briefs and other scholarly
publications.
X.
Qualifications:
Required:
1. Master's degree and one year of relevant professional experience; or Bachelor's degree and
three years experience. Degree in public health or related field.
2. Knowledge of public health systems.
3. Experience in research and evaluation design, and training.
Preferred:
1. Experience with initiatives implementing and evaluating policy and environmental changes
in public health.
2. Experience with and knowledge of qualitative and quantitative data collection and
analysis.Knowledge and understanding of public health strategies and evidence-based best
practices regarding physical activity and nutrition initiatives.
3. Experience working collaboratively with school and community groups.
Approved:
Level:
Unit:
Job Number:
Employee:
1/6/2012
105
UMPSA
2582