Field Interviewer

We are seeking a Field Interviewer for a landmark study of mental health in the general population, begun in 1985 with 1st graders in the Baltimore City Public School System and now in its 10th timepoint of data collection, which entails lengthy face-to-face interviews and extensive cognitive assessments with adults in their early 40's living in the community. This wave is being conducted 14 years after the previous contact with the study participants and is focused on mental health issues and aging.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Interviewers are responsible for implementing under unpredictable and varying field conditions a complex data collection protocol consisting of 2 separate visits to respondents' homes.
• The protocol includes locating and making initial contact with potential participants, including utilization of electronic searches and multiple contact attempts; traveling within a radius of 2-hours from Baltimore; conducting 2-3 hour long structured interviews using a tablet; administering a series of cognitive, vision, and hearing tests; taking physical measurements such as height, weight, grip strength, and blood pressure; instructing participants in the use of simple at-home sleep monitoring technology (actigraphy); and collecting buccal swabs, if needed.
• Other tasks such as data entry, performing quality control functions, and administrative tasks may be required.
• In addition to face-to-face interviews, some portion of data will be collected by telephone.
• They will also conduct short telephone interviews with other designated informants.
• Interviewers are expected to adhere to the highest standards of human subjects protection and will be required to complete related IRB trainings, HIPAA training, and to sign a confidentiality agreement.
• Efficiency and quality of work will be monitored for adherence to study protocol and budget constraints.
• Interviewers will record participant responses on a tablet during two 2-4 hour long home visits. They will also measure blood pressure using a cuff, measure grip strength with a dynamometer and will weigh participants using a standard weight scale. They will need to instruct the participants on the use of an actigraph wristband.
• Interviewers report to the Study Field Manager, who provides assignments and guidance during the study.
• After receiving a caseload of potential participants, interviewers will work individually and relatively independently to locate, contact and interview participants, providing updates at each stage.
• Interviewers can expect to make weekly office visits to review progress and troubleshoot problems. Interviewers will attend a ~4 week paid training program and must pass certification before commencing fieldwork (facilitated by the Field Director).
• Interviewers are expected to attend periodic debriefings, additional trainings, and individual coaching/mentoring sessions with quality control staff and/or Sr. Field Interviewers.

• Work will be part-time, casual, with an expected range of 15-27 hours per week.
• Workflow will vary from week to week and the study cannot guarantee a set number of hours per week.
• Compensation will be provided for travel as well as time.
• The study is expected to last for about 3 years from the date of training.
  

• This role will require driving up to 2 hours at a time, traveling from the office to participants' homes.
• You will also be responsible for carrying equipment from office to car to participant's homes (will include a tablet computer, blood pressure cuff, scale, and a dynamometer, and one briefcase containing cognitive testing materials).
  

• Excellent communication skills and flexibility are a must for this role.
• Interviewers are required to make first contact with participants and recruit them into the study, spend time administering a lengthy and detailed interview and cognitive assessment battery in participants' homes, and ensure that participants enjoy their experience as much as possible in order to retain them in the study.
• Interviewers will need to be able to easily build rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds, at times in unpredictable and chaotic environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public as well as family 'gatekeepers' is important.
• Creative problem solving and grit in the face of challenges is essential for the successful completion of the required work.
• Interviewers need to also be able to communicate effectively with the study team and show willingness to engage in a continuous skills development.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, organization of materials, and ability to manage time effectively are needed in order to succeed as a Field Interviewer.
• Familiarity with the use of a tablet computer, or ability to learn this relatively quickly is expected.

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent, with some college courses preferred.
• Some related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

• Prior experience administering cognitive assessment measures is not essential, as some training will be provided, but would be a significant advantage.

Classified Title: Research Program Assistant
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Field Interviewer
Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CB
Starting Salary Range: Min $15.25 - Max $23.00 HRLY ($25,974 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Casual / On Call
Schedule: Other
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
Location: School of Public Health
Department name: Mental Health Research Projects
Personnel area: School of Public Health

Total Rewards
The referenced salary range is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level. Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here:

Please refer to the job description above to see which forms of equivalency are permitted for this position. If permitted, equivalencies will follow these guidelines:
JHU Equivalency Formula: 30 undergraduate degree credits (semester hours) or 18 graduate degree credits may substitute for one year of experience. Additional related experience may substitute for required education on the same basis. For jobs where equivalency is permitted, up to two years of non-related college course work may be applied towards the total minimum education/experience required for the respective job.


**Applicants who do not meet the posted requirements but are completing their final academic semester/quarter will be considered eligible for employment and may be asked to provide additional information confirming their academic completion date.

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Johns Hopkins is committed to hiring individuals with a justice-involved background, consistent with applicable policies and current practice. A prior criminal history does not automatically preclude candidates from employment at Johns Hopkins University. In accordance with applicable law, the university will review, on an individual basis, the date of a candidate's conviction, the nature of the conviction and how the conviction relates to an essential job-related qualification or function.

The Johns Hopkins University values diversity, equity and inclusion and advances these through our key strategic framework, the JHU Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion .

Accommodation Information

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