Job Title: Research Specialist V
Organization: Texas Department of State Health Services
Number of Openings: 1
Posting Number: 92722
Location: Austin, TX
Compensation: $3,843.83 – $5,843.33 per month
Position Description: Performs highly advanced professional research and epidemiological work requiring specialized knowledge of specific health and behavior related topics on women, infants and children. Functions as lead scientist, plans and conducts investigations related to prevention and control of public health issues with a strong focus on the evaluation of efforts to increase services received by children receiving Medicaid. Work includes measuring programmatic efforts, developing performance measures, creating evaluation strategies, developing and/or refining theoretical concepts, designing and implementing complex evaluation/surveillance/research studies, coordinating studies, collecting, analyzing and evaluating data, and communicating results. Develops and directs grant-funded projects; and generates scientific publications, public health reports and presentations of completed work to agency/program management. Work is performed under limited direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Manager, Family Health Research and Program Development.
Essential Functions: (60%) – Work involves developing, planning, designing and implementing evaluations of specific activities planned by Texas Health Steps. Provide consultation on appropriate and valid study designs and standard scientific methods. Develop and implement new and innovative approaches to sampling, measurement, scientific protocols, and study design to demonstrate effectiveness of programmatic activities. Projects will include assessing the effectiveness of outreach activities, evaluating strategies to increase the number of clients enrolled in specific services, and public health issues/conditions relevant to women, infants and children health and any other population related to the Division of Family and Community Health Services (FCHS) programs. Applies appropriate advanced statistical analysis procedures to data collected. (20%) – Provides research consultation and technical assistance to FCHS programs areas on epidemiological methods, research/surveillance design and program evaluation/assessment of public health practices. Performs scientific literature searches (traditional, internet, database) and reviews various types of materials including legislation, regulations, scientific protocols, policies to develop research proposals and to support on-going investigations/projects. Consults with research professionals, researchers/epidemiologists, administrators, and statistical staff to define and solve specific problems and to assure quality control across experimental methods, research design and statistical analysis. Works in collaboration with Statistical Reporting Unit, other DSHS data centers and state/federal agencies (e.g., Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], Maternal and Child Health Bureau [MCHB]). (10%) – Preparation of articles, papers, and reports for publication, in-house distribution and to support program management and others DSHS activities, includes use of standard graphic applications and scientific GIS mapping. (10%) – Participates in cross-functional training within the Unit. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Knowledge of: the array of research planning and evaluation methods; principles and methods of MCH epidemiology and related biostatistics; the evaluation of outreach strategies; health services research; major functions of public health; total quality management/continuous quality improvement concept; scientific research methods, principles, and philosophy; statistical concepts and methods and their application to research analysis; standards and appropriate research sources and texts; measurement, testing, and evaluation procedures; analysis of large datasets; the publication process from submission to publication; computer software packages application (SPSS, SUDAAN, SAS) to biostatistics, word processing (WordPerfect, Word), spreadsheet (Excel), graphics (Power Point, Harvard Graphics), geographical information systems (ArcView) and database (Access). Skills: strong leadership skills; strong communication and writing skills; development of procedures to monitor and evaluate progress in achieving project objectives, including feedback to policy makers to provide input into the ongoing research process; strong project management skills to organize major project activities into a logical sequence with a reasonable and achievable schedule of deadlines; strong oral communication skills to facilitate meeting agendas to achieve planned outcomes, and to convey planning alternatives or recommendations to a variety of audiences including DSHS staff, the public and decision makers; strong technical writing skills to clearly and succinctly communicate project / research information for correspondence with state and federal agencies, grant applications and plans, state rules and planning procedures. Abilities: to work independently; to gather information from a variety of sources and to synthesize and translate detailed information into simpler terms; to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing; to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about research/data methods, procedures or DSHS policies; to assess the reliability, validity, and appropriateness of proposed data collection methods and epidemiologic designs; to plan, organize and conduct assigned phases of complex research projects; to interpret complex statistical data, charts, and tables; to develop and analyze measuring instruments with respect to reliability, relevance, and validity; to formulate reasonable hypothesis and structure research designs to account for variables; to communicate effectively; to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to work with others as part of a team.
Closing Date: None
Desired Starting Date:
Application Web Address: <https://rm.accesshr.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/careerportal/default.cfm?szUniqueCareerPortalID=fbc767e0-79>
