Lead Research Associate (Tribal Child Welfare) - Remote

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:
The Capacity Building Center for Tribes provides technical assistance to Tribal child welfare programs. As a collaborating organization in the Center for the Tribes, Westat provides capacity building services around data and technology. These services include working directly with Tribal child welfare programs on building capacity to collect, manage, report, and use program data, as well as developing data and technology related tools and resources for Tribal programs. Westat also leads continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities within the Center to support the improvement of services. We are looking to add a new staff member to our team with experience in Tribal child welfare, strong data knowledge and skills, and a commitment to honoring and supporting Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous knowledge.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with other Center staff to conduct capacity building projects with Tribal child welfare programs, which may include assessing the data and technology needs of the program and identifying and implementing strategies to address data and technology needs and increase program capacity to manage and use data.
• Develop useful and easy to understand written materials, tools, and other resources geared toward Tribal child welfare program staff on data and technology topics (including data system procurement and implementation, CQI planning, data quality, geographic information systems, etc.)
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning connections between Tribal child welfare programs on data and technology topics.
• Support Center CQI process through data analysis and facilitating learning discussions among Center staff.
• Research, document, and disseminate information on emerging technologies, best practices, available resources, federal guidance, and other data and technology related topics.
• Participate in Center meetings, discussions, and evaluation activities as needed.
• Contribute to other child welfare or tribally focused projects at Westat.

Basic Qualifications:

• A Master's degree in social work, public health, behavioral health, data science, social sciences, or other relevant disciplines and a minimum of 2-4 years' experience working with Tribal child welfare or social service programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of child welfare program data and data systems.
• Demonstrated writing skills for a practitioner audience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience in procuring, designing, and/or implementing a child welfare data system in a Tribal, State, or county agency.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret analytic data.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated communication skills
• Collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients
• Organization skills, including time management ability
• Detail oriented

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

Employee Stock Ownership Plan
401(k) Retirement Plan
Paid Parental Leave
Vacation Leave (15 days per year)
Sick Leave (10 days per year)
Holiday Leave (7 government holidays plus 2 floating holidays)
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

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.

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