Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Job Summary:
Westat has an opening for a Research Associate to join a small evaluation team in our social policy practice area. This talented, multidisciplinary group of research professionals works on a wide range of cutting edge studies focused on improving the lives of marginalized populations. These projects, funded by federal, state, and local governments, as well as foundations, study how changes in social policies impact our communities.

Some examples of the type of work you can be involved with and help make an impact on include: 

• Mixed-methods evaluations of national and local systems initiatives for youth, families, and single adults experiencing homelessness.
• Environmental scans of services and housing for older adults at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
• Evaluation of a large foundation's strategy for building a culture of health through advancing health equity and addressing structural racism. 
• Development of innovative methods for assessing the effectiveness of a range of programs for youth aging out of foster care. 

This is a full-time position with flexibility for telework and hybrid arrangements with a generous benefits package.

Job Responsibilities: 
As a Research Associate, you would work closely with other team members on a range of activities, including:

• Working with study collaborators and clients on the design, implementation, and analysis of a wide spectrum of mixed methods studies, often managing a task or a smaller scope evaluation.
• Participating in collection, coding, and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, such as secondary and primary data sets, and data from key informant interviews, focus groups, and document reviews.
• Developing and writing proposals, including technical and budget proposals.
• Engaging in evaluation report writing, including the synthesis of mixed-methods work.
• Creating PowerPoint presentations, developing data visualizations, and assisting in their delivery to a range of populations.
• Participating in the development of academic publications.
• Designing and developing webinars, conference proposals, and presentations.

Basic Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in public health, social sciences or health related field and 5 years of research experience or a Ph.D. degree in social sciences or public health field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A strong background in research methods and evaluation design, experience with mixed method approaches and quantitative and qualitative analytic skills. 
• Experience analyzing quantitative data using standard software packages (e.g., SPSS, SAS or R) and/or qualitative data using NVivo or similar software.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Possess excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Work well in both independent and team-based environments.

Links to Westat Projects:
Evaluating a systems approach to address youth homelessness | Westat
Family Homelessness Initiative: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Meeting Spotlights Evaluation Findings | Westat
Culture of Health: A Vision of Health Equity | Westat
Networks Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences Offer Psychologists Key Role | Westat

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Eligible employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Holiday Leave
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

Protecting the health and safety of our employees and survey participants is a top priority for Westat. As a federal government contractor, Westat will require Westat staff, regardless of work location, to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon hire and to follow all safety protocols, subject to approved accommodations under applicable law.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.