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.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.

Job Summary: 
Westat is seeking an individual to lead and support projects that address the need of individuals with behavioral health conditions and disabilities. In this highly collaborative role, you will work closely with project leadership, multi-disciplinary project teams, and with client teams. The role requires substantial experience managing complex studies throughout the project life cycle, from conceptualizing and implementing processes and procedures, project management, data collection/data management, data analysis and repot writing, to development of project deliverables. You will also work on business development and with networks of internal and external staff on proposals and projects from a variety of federal agencies, states, and foundations. Your subject matter expertise will enable you to consult on behavioral health and disabilities issues as needed with researchers within and outside of Westat to publish peer-reviewed and technical reports based on your project work. You will also provide direction, management, and support to evaluations, technical assistance, and training contracts, and more.  

Job Responsibilities: 
•    Manage day-to-day operations of behavioral health research projects.
•    Assist with operationalizing project scope, goals, dependencies and deliverables including: 

• Develop, monitor and adjust long- and short-term plans. 
• Set target milestones and goals for adhering to deadlines. 
• Define staffing needs, roles, and responsibilities.
• Monitor budget and staff productivity.  
• In collaboration with the project director, delegate tasks to appropriate team members. 

•    Collaborate with team leads to develop and implement methods to monitor productivity, costs, quality control, and the effectiveness of processes, protocols and procedures. 
•    Develop project management deliverables and review other key deliverables.

Basic Qualifications: 
•    A Master's degree in psychology, social sciences or health field with 8 years of experience or a Ph.D. degree in psychology, social science or health field with 3 years of experience.  
•    Experience will include working in behavioral health policy with federal and state clients and managing day-to-day operations of large data collection efforts including developing and monitoring project budgets and complex project schedules for federal contracts. 
•    Experience developing technical, staffing and cost proposals. 

Preferred Qualifications: 
•    In-depth experience collaborating with IT system developers to conceptualize, develop and test management and data collection systems. 
•    Experience planning and implementing technical expert panels, meetings to foster consensus-based decision making, and other public and closed-door meetings. 
•    Experience translating science into resources for target audiences including federal, state, country, agency, provider, consumer, and families. 
•    Experience with website design and data entry system use planning. 

Minimum Qualifications:
•    Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills. 
•    Excellent technical skills for translating project needs to IT solutions
•    Ability to anticipate and problem-solve potential issues that may arise during all phases of a research project's life cycle.

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.