Senior Evaluator Child Welfare- Social Work Research & Public Service
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Full-time
Social Service
Posted on May 17, 2024
Senior Evaluator – Child Welfare: Social Work Office of Research & Public Service (SWORPS)
Regular Full time, Exempt position - Market Range 11 – Salary range: 72 K
This position requires the flexibility of working occasional nights, weekends, and overnight travel.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville, College of Social Work, through the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is accepting applications for Senior Evaluator – Child Welfare. As a member of SWORPS' Division of Applied Research & Evaluation, this position works in collaboration with the Program Evaluation Manager and peer evaluators to develop and execute research and evaluation plans for a variety of sponsored projects, including projects related to child maltreatment prevention, child well-being, and youth development. We provide tailored and collaborative research, evaluation, and technical assistance services to create practical solutions and actionable results designed to enhance programs and practices that improve lives in Tennessee and beyond.
Job duties are primarily the following:
Planning, Designing, and Conducting Applied Research and Program Evaluation Activities
-Provide leadership regarding effective evaluation models, methods, and systems.
-Conduct and develop literature reviews related to field-specific research, evaluation, and assessment as directed or as needed for projects.
-Collect data through observation, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and review of administrative data.
-Ensure milestones are met and, when not met, work with Program Evaluation Manager to devise ways to redirect applied research and evaluation activities or revise previously developed plan.
-Synthesize and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
-Translate the findings, as well as the methods that produced them, for stakeholders who are unfamiliar with evaluation practice and terminology.
-Support clients and partners on the use of applied research and program evaluation data.
-Supervise graduate level interns and entry level professionals in SWORPS' Division of Applied Research & Evaluation.
-Communicate with SWORPS members from other units to produce work products.
-Support development of applied research and evaluation proposals in response to RFPs, RFQs, or direct requests from potential clients.
Managing Client Relationship
-Develop positive and trusting relationships with sponsors/program staff.
-Respond to client communication in a timely and professional manner via telephone and email.
-Present evaluation findings to clients and other program stakeholders.
-Facilitate or monitor changes resulting from recommendations.
-Maintain confidentiality.
-Act as program evaluation champion reinforcing with sponsors/program staff the notion that evaluation activities are intended to be helpful to staff and other decision makers.- Maintain positive relationships with TDHS - particularly Child Support - to ensure consistency and cooperation
Data Management and Analysis
-Identify potential data sources.
-Draw on a variety of evaluation instruments and procedures.
-Evaluate the appropriateness of using existing instruments and tools.
-Construct reliable and valid instruments.
-Execute statistical analysis/modeling.
-Liaison with clients/program staff to ensure data quality and completeness.
-Work with internal software designers to determine data specification and reporting.
-Organize and maintain client/program staff data sets for applied research and evaluation projects
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications :
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- Master’s degree in Public Administration, Public Health, Social Work or a related Social Science Field
- 5 years of work experience as a program evaluator or research analyst (minimum 3 years outside of course work)
- Demonstrated experience with quantitative data collection and analysis skills, management, and analysis of longitudinal data sets, and/or survey development.
- Fluency in participant confidentiality and data security protocols.
- Strong written, oral, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Preferred Requirements:
- Doctoral degree in Public Administration, Public Health, Social Work or a related Social Science Field
- Previous consulting experience, working either independently or as member of a research, evaluation, or consulting firm.
- Familiarity with the Family First Preservation Services Act (FFPSA).
- Demonstrated knowledge of, and relevant experiences with, sponsored research projects/proposals.
Competencies/Qualifications:
- Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of research and program evaluation practices, particularly culturally-responsive and equitable evaluation.
- Knowledgeable about qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methodologies.
- Knowledge of measurement theories and experience with design, validity, and reliability of instruments.
- Knowledgeable about data collection methods and methods for protecting confidential data.
- Demonstrated experience of strong observational, analytical, and critical thinking skills to be able to review trends, information, and outcomes and deduce reasons for the results and consider alternative possibilities for conclusions and recommendations.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills with the ability to provide clear and concise written and verbal reports that outline findings.
- Strong ability to understand the context of a program and how it affects evaluation projects.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with clients, peers, and administrators.
- Ability to prioritize tasks, follow through to complete assignments in a timely and accurate manner.
- Project management skills and preferred proficiency in MS Office platforms including Excel, SharePoint, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting.
- Ability to work on multiple projects/tasks simultaneously.
Application Process: Interested individuals should provide a cover letter addressing professional experience relevant to each required and preferred qualifications, a resume, and complete contact information for 3 professional references. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
