Research Associate II-Child Welfare Data Expert or Child Welfare CQI Expert

The Child Welfare Data Expert functions in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary team with a continued commitment to excellence. The Child Welfare Data Expert conducts and/or leads data analysis supporting complex data driven and continuous quality improvement projects. conducting data analytics tasks and developing reports and presentations. This role serves as the primary point of contact for data related tasks and information for jurisdictions and assists with, the development and implementation of quality assurance and continuous quality improvement (CQI) protocols and activities including but not limited to:

• Support and advise jurisdictions on root cause analysis and data driven strategies to support performance improvement plans
• Link quality-relevant findings to plan data collection processes
• Support and advise jurisdictions on root cause analysis and data driven strategies to support performance improvement plans
• Support the implementation of improved data collection processes based upon performance improvement plans and federal review findings

PROJECT-SPECIFIC JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Distills complex information into key ideas and concepts; and making information easily accessible to child welfare professionals for the purpose of program improvement and systems change
• Designs data analytic tools, data visualization reports, presentations, and dashboards, and data-driven assistance workplans
• Leads and or/supports internal project team in exploring jurisdictional data to understand challenges, assess and address data quality concerns, and make data driven decisions
• Leads and or/supports project team in responding to jurisdictional needs regarding continuous quality improvement using CQI frameworks (e.g., Plan Do Study Act (PDSA), Results Based Accountability (RBA), Define, Asses, Plan, Implement, Monitor (DAPIM); Define Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC))
• Provides consultation and support to public child welfare agencies (jurisdictions) in understanding, analyzing, visualizing, using, and sharing their child welfare data with a range of partners to inform decision-making and strategy selection
• Contributes to tracking key performance metrics relevant to child welfare (safety, permanency, and well-being)
• Identifies trends, patterns, and correlations in child welfare data to inform technical assistance development and delivery
• Develops and provides training to child welfare staff on data literacy, interpretation, root cause analysis, and application to daily workflow
• Provides consultation and support to public child welfare agencies to more deeply explore performance using available quantitative and qualitative data and identifying areas for additional data collection (i.e., using data to test theories/hypotheses, training and coaching and review of the completeness of problem exploration)
• Supports connecting CQI activities with data collection processes and findings
• Supports development of jurisdictional improvement plans, and implementation of improved processes based upon federal review findings
• Manages tasks and deliverables for contract compliance with minimal supervision

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Education:

• Master’s Degree and 6 years of experience comprising of 3 years of focus experience required (focus experience may vary based upon assignment).

Experience:

• Experience in child welfare and/or highly related field
• Experience analyzing and visualizing child welfare administrative data sets including state administrative data, and/or federal child welfare reporting such as the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) reporting
• Experience with child welfare federal reporting processes such as: Child and Family Services Plans (CFSP) and Annual Progress and Services Reports (APSRs), Child and Family Services Review (CFSR)-related documents and reports including the Statewide Data Indicators (SWDI), FFPSA prevention plans, materials related to other federal reviews (e.g., National Youth in Transition Database), formula grant plans (e.g., Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and Children’s Justice Act), demonstration grants reports, discretionary grant work plans and reports, Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) applications, Court Improvement Program (CIP) plans and other sources to systematically assess the needs of state and territorial public child welfare agencies
• Familiarity with Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems (CCWIS) requirements
• Experience working in and/or providing consultation and support to public child welfare agencies to select, implement, and monitor the use of risk and safety assessment tools and protocols (i.e., assessment selection or protocol development; implementation; training; coaching; and examination of assessment reliability/validity)
• Experience interpreting and communication jurisdictions’ needs and strengths through use of data

Software Proficiency:

• Expert knowledge in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Proficient in using Tableau and PowerBI independently
• Proficient in Project Management/CRM software (e.g., Monday.com, Smartsheet, Salesforce)
• Experience with one or more statistical packages such as SPSS, SAS, R, or other statistical packages
• (Preferred) Proficient in Python, SQL, and in cloud-based data management platform (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks)

Competencies:

• Ability to work with jurisdictions, including agency leadership and program manager staff
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, to interact effectively with project team and jurisdiction, specifically the ability to communicate data results effectively to any audience and confidently make data-informed decisions
• Strong knowledge of child welfare federal reviews and child welfare data systems
• Creative and innovative thinking, to design and deliver data-driven solutions that increase efficiencies and reduce burden for jurisdictions and within the project team
• Analytical skills to extract data insights, trends, and outcomes
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to conduct advanced statistical analyses with minimal supervision preferred
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to write clear and concise copy with attention to detail and target audience focus with minimal supervision
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, analytical skills
• Self-motivated and proactive, to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision and guidance. Adaptable and flexible, to cope with changing requirements and technologies
• Leadership and management skills to initiate, plan, execute, and deliver data-driven projects with a growth mindset

Language:

English fluency (oral and written)

(Preferred) Spanish fluency (oral and written)

Location:

Remote

Security Clearance:

Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Clearance (federal government background check).

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk or computer workstation
• Regularly uses a computer, keyboard, and mouse
• Normal or corrected vision to read documents, view computer screens, and perform tasks that require visual accuracy
• Ability to hear and understand spoken information in person and over the phone
• Minimal lifting and carrying may be required, typically light office supplies or documents
• Ability to move within the office environment to access equipment, files, and interact with colleagues
• Ability to handle occasional stress related to deadlines, workloads, or challenging tasks
• Ability to travel 10% -20%, on average, based on the project needs

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position, nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

If you meet the minimum requirements for this position, please click on the "Apply" link posted below and complete the application. Please include cover letter, resume, and at least (3) professional references.

1. company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Applicants can learn more about the company's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the federal "EEO is the Law" poster at EEOPost.pdf. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.