Title:
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE I: DISABILITY AND AGING
Division:
Muskie School of Public Service
Department: Program on Disability and Aging, Cutler Institute
Location:
Augusta
Schedule:
part-time, varies
Organizational Relationships:
Reports to: Director of Strategic Development
Supervises: Task supervision of Research Assistants, Graduate Assistants
Coordinates with: Project and Institute staff; contracting agencies and consultants;
USM faculty and professional staff; contracting, funding, and collaborating
organizations; agencies and organizations related to project work.
II.
Statement of the Job:
The Research Associate I is responsible for developing and directing small to medium sized
research and evaluation projects and for making methodological and analytic contributions to
more complex projects. Activities include conceptualization of project design, identification of
funding opportunities and proposal development; design and execution of methodological and
analytic work plans; negotiation and management of contracts with consultants and
subcontractors; analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data; and assurance of
the quality and integrity of work conducted by project team members and subcontractors. The
Research Associate I is responsible for preparation of project reports and disseminating project
findings via presentations and published articles.
III.
Essential Functions:
A. Proposal/Project Development
1. Identifies and conceptualizes project topics and opportunities that advance the
Institute’s program and policy agenda.
2. Identifies funding sources for projects. Critically assesses RFP requirements.
3. Applies research design principles to topics and frames project goals and objectives
to meet criteria of external funding entities.
4. Frames project goals and objectives to meet criteria of external funders.
5. Manages proposal development process, designs research or program methodology,
monitors timelines, develops budgets, oversees submissions from collaborators, and
assures timely submission of proposals.
6. Writes small to medium sized proposals and contributes significantly to larger
proposals.
B. Project Design
1. Develops policy or research questions, timelines and work plans,
analytic/evaluation approach, and allocation of resources for qualitative and
quantitative research projects.
2. Defines data and analytic needs.
3. Defines and coordinates scope of work relative to available resources.
4. Coordinates project planning activities with state and community advisory groups.
5. Prepares applications for and assures compliance with Institutional Review Board
process.
C. Project and Institute Management
1. Acts as project director on small to medium sized projects. Supervises and
coordinates day-to-day project activity, directs staff, manages budget, monitors
work plan, and revises as necessary to assure that project activity is completed on
time and within budget.
2. Negotiates and manages small to medium contracts with project consultants and
subcontractors.
3. Establishes and maintains relationships with funders and collaborators.
4.
5.
6.
Assures that project deliverables are completed on time.
Maintains project data, prepares and submits project interim and final reports.
Writes policy briefs, working papers, study findings, and other documents related to
project activity.
7. Assures and monitors the integrity of qualitative and quantitative interpretation of
information.
8. Negotiates and implements changes in work plans with staff and collaborators.
9. Assures quality and integrity of project work.
10. Reports to funders as required.
11. Serves on Institute committees.
12. Develops and maintains liaisons with relevant state/federal agencies and other
external organizations.
D. Publications & Dissemination
1. Writes final draft of reports, papers, articles, and other documents; publishes
research findings.
2. Prepares drafts of manuscripts for publication.
3. Develops products related to scope of project as applicable: tools, service delivery
systems, operational protocols, surveys, training modules, and technical assistance
directives for change.
4. Develops and organizes dissemination strategies for project products.
5. Cultivates external relationships and markets publications to internal/external
audiences.
6. Develops and presents professional papers at state, regional and/or national
meetings.
E. Data Collection and Analysis
1.
Negotiates data use agreements.
2.
Directs primary data collection activities.
3.
Assures integrity of informed consent protocols.
4.
Conducts and oversees analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
5.
Develops and manages analysis plan and conceptual design for data file
construction and analysis.
6.
Designs and supervises data documentation protocols.
7.
Conceptualizes, designs and implements multivariate analyses with support.
8.
Analyzes and evaluates policy implications from findings.
9.
Interprets and writes relevant findings.
IV.
Marginal Functions: None
V.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
No direct supervisory responsibility. Demonstrates knowledge and experience in
maintaining a safe working/learning environment.
VI.
VII.
Budget Responsibilities:
A.
As project director, reviews B&Es, manages budget, monitors work plan, and
revises as necessary to assure that project activity is completed on time and within
budget.
B.
Negotiates and manages small to medium contracts with project consultants and
subcontractors.
Public and Professional Activities:
A. Participates in appropriate professional and research associations.
B. Develops collaborative relationships with partners and colleagues in and outside of the
University of Southern Maine; cultivates relationships with external funders.
VIII.
Internal/External Contacts:
Develops and maintains liaisons with funding, collaborating and contracting
organizations, especially relevant state/federal agencies, and other external organizations
related to project work.
IX.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Required:
 Demonstrated familiarity with the field of health policy including familiarity with
current health policy issues, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance, and managed
care trends.
 Demonstrated experience in developing health policy, research, demonstration, program
evaluation, and survey instrument design
 Progressive record of responsibility, content, and technical expertise in health policy /
health services research.
 Experience in proposal/project development.
 Experience with project management, including budget monitoring and reporting to
funders.
 Demonstrated ability to work with health care policymakers, providers, and other
professionals.
 Demonstrated ability in oral and written communications.
 Demonstrated ability to prepare policy-relevant reports and presentations.
 Demonstrated knowledge and competence in interpreting qualitative and quantitative
data.
 Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
 Possess an attitude that fosters as respectful, non-threatening workplace environment.
Preferred:
 Familiarity with and interest in disability, employment, community integration,
independent living and related health and community care issues, vulnerable
populations, health care quality, financing, and access.
X.
Qualifications:
Required:
Master’s degree with four years’ experience (five preferred) in health services, public
health, health policy, or related field, including project management in academic, nonprofit or government settings; OR, Bachelor’s degree and seven years of relevant
experience as noted above.
Preferred:
Familiarity with and interest in disability, community integration, independent living
and related health and community issues, vulnerable populations, healthcare quality,
financing and access. Ability to synthesize complex material and present it clearly so
that it can be readily understood. Excellent writing skills. Experience writing technical
reports.
Approved:
Job Family:
Salary Band:
Unit:
CUPA Number:
Position Number:
Employee:
10/02/2011
05
104
UMPSA
2553
00021689
vacant