Research Associate III

Job no: 523706
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: Institute Community Inclusion
Pay Grade: 34

Date opened: 13 Jun 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 15 Jul 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

General Summary:

The Research Associate III initiates, develops, participates in the work of and manages research projects addressing state and federal services and public policy that support employment and community inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The incumbent will be responsible for developing project work plans, designing and implementing research protocols, coordinating data collection and data cleaning, and designing and implementing overall plans for data analysis. The Research Associate III will be responsible for clear communication with external collaborators and partners. They will initiate the pursuit of funding opportunities and will take a leadership role in the development of responses to state, federal, and foundation requests for proposals. They will design and develop written and video products for multiple constituencies including individuals with disabilities, family members, state and federal policy makers, and the research community. The RA III will conduct outreach activities to address issues related to research, employment and community supports, systems change, and public policy formulation, and will work closely with ICI training and technical assistance staff. This position works with an interdisciplinary team on the development of products that will be disseminated locally and nationally addressing issues related to employment and community engagement of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This position can be held remotely from within the United States. Occasional Local, State, or National travel is required.

Examples of Duties:

• As part of a team, manages a variety of state and federal projects including monitoring subcontracts and partnerships, meeting state and federal reporting requirements, ensuring projects are implemented in a timely fashion and in accordance with contractual commitments. Organizes and supervises the activities of designated staff.
• Develops new project opportunities and topics, identifies funding opportunities and develops proposals in cooperation with other ICI staff and external collaborators.
• Oversees and coordinates the collection, cleaning, and analysis of data.
• Develops written products for multiple constituencies including juried research manuscripts, research reports, plain language and research-to-practice summaries, brief products, public policy papers, and public policy and systemic change manuals.
• Collaborates with knowledge translation, marketing, and communications staff to create and disseminate research-based resources for multiple stakeholders.
• Conducts outreach activities and demonstrates leadership capacities in establishing and maintaining a network of relationships in the disability and research communities.
• Incorporates a participatory action research approach that engages all relevant stakeholders and in particular individuals with lived experience and individuals from diverse linguistic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Performs and monitors all personnel functions for designated staff, subject to established university and college personnel policies and in consultation with ICI Financial Manager and Program Manager.
• Stays abreast of changes in the field related to employment and community engagement and the supports and services available for individuals with disabilities and individuals from diverse linguistic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Participates in ICI technical assistance and training provided to local, state, and federal partners. Contributes to the state policy work of the State Employment Leadership Network.
• Works with other research staff and other staff of the ICI in the development of their skills in the design and implementation of research, model demonstration and capacity building. Provides research and evaluation support to other ICI project teams.
• Provides guidance to the senior ICI staff on innovations and findings that offer implications for new program practices or policy formulation at the local, state and national levels.
• Serves as a leader in the field of employment services policy for other entities in the University Centers for Excellence system and develops partnerships at the national and state levels.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in public policy, rehabilitation, special education, disability studies or a related field and a minimum of five years of previous experience in developing and conducting research and evaluation with a focus on employment and community engagement for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is required. Knowledge of public social service systems and research such as but not limited to vocational rehabilitation, home and community-based waivers, developmental disability services are required. Experience in providing community-based services and supports to persons with disabilities or in disability policy and research is strongly preferred. Advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative research methods are required. Managerial and analytical skills that facilitate implementation of complex systems and programs that cross departmental/divisional lines required.

• Prior supervisory experience required.
• Knowledge of the theories, principles, and concepts in research design and implementation.
• Ability to conceptualize, organize, and negotiate project tasks and engage collaborators from outside the institution including individuals with lived experience, family members, community agencies, state and federal agency personnel, and collaborating researchers.
• Ability to present information and findings in a cogent fashion to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to foster a positive and cooperative workplace.
• Ability to work with and manage a diverse workforce.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and balance competing priorities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link:

Grade: 34

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of Feb 28, 2026, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact or .

Applications close: 15 Jul 2024 Eastern Daylight Time