Research Project Manager

Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $53,500 - Midpoint: $66,900 (Salaried E8)

Department/Organization: 204693 - VITAL

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm, some evenings and weekends as necessary

Note to Applicants: Position is eligible for remote work subject to University policy. If an applicant is selected and will request to work from a state where the University does not currently have other regular employees, that applicant may be referred to the University’s 3rd Party Employer of Record, nextSource, to serve as the official employer.

Job Summary: The Research Project Manager provides oversight and planning for the development, implementation, and delivery of research project(s). May supervise staff and provide supervisory guidance to external stakeholders assisting with the project.

Additional Department Summary: The Alabama Mobile Crisis Response Collaborative (A-MCRC) grant proposes to expand and enhance mobile crisis services across the state. The A-MCRC team will assess mobile crisis services statewide, directly assist two community mental health centers in enhancing and expanding services and engaging communities in crisis service awareness—in addition to assisting the state in establishing fidelity measures and guidelines for all mobile crisis services. Through assessing needs and implementation processes, the project will create an implementation work plan that meets national best practices including a sustainable funding model. The project is responsible for creating a standardized level of quality among providers of mobile crisis services through best practices in program design, development, implementation, and continuous quality improvement efforts.

The Project Manager will oversee the implementation of the grant components and activities: overseeing personnel, monitoring budget incoming and outgoing, communicating with the funding agency and the Alabama Department of Mental Health when needed, inputting results from evaluator and collaborating with other grant staff, overall grant administration and monitoring project completion (compliance) and final reporting.

The Project Manager will be the key contributor to assessment, work plan and training module development, and education/training required for state-wide mobile crisis fidelity integration. This position involves a high degree of communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and a foundation of clinical behavioral health and crisis care service knowledge. The incumbent is charged with ensuring the coordination and implementation all clinical services and quality improvement required for the successful administration of programs with the support of the A-MCRC Program Coordinator, and ensuring developed A-MCRC fidelity standards and trainings are completed.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of project management experience; OR master's degree and two (2) years of project management experience.

Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: Must have valid U.S. driver's license. Must be at least 19 years of age at time of hire and have an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report that is in compliance with University policies. Applicants under the age of 21 will have some driving restrictions.

Skills and Knowledge: Strong organizational skills as evidenced by work history. Able to work independently using sound judgment and solid decision-making skills to solve problems and to work through barriers that may impact progress. Program evaluation or applied research expertise. Experience with basic office software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Previous experience with needs assessments and program development. Able to conduct educational sessions for providers and/or community as needed.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in health care administration or a behavioral health-related field, including applied behavioral sciences, psychology, social work, health education, or public health and five (5) years of experience in behavioral health project development administration/behavioral health programs.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.