Visiting Scholar
Early Childhood Mental Health Care
Location:
Youth Research, Inc. (YRI)
5 University Place
Building 5, 4th Fl.
Rensselaer, NY 12144
Appointment Type:
Full-time, 12-24 Month Appointment
Duties:
Under the supervision of the Vice President (VP) of Organizational Development the Visiting Scholar will serve as a content expert and evaluator for research and/or pilot projects that are intended to improve youth and family services provided by OCFS and its partners in the community. With the support of the visiting scholar, YRI will expand the quantity and quality of individuals equipped to improve the lives of children and families who interact with OCFS in any of its service areas. The Visiting Scholar will:
Guide research projects conducted by YRI
Conduct evaluation and provide feedback throughout the life of research and/or pilot projects
Guide YRI and OCFS in developing policy and best practice implementation
Support policy and best practice implementation through training for direct service providers.
The Visiting Scholar will serve the same purpose as an external evaluator, bringing an outside perspective to research and pilot programs and ultimately to enrich OCFS’s and its partners’ understanding of what works in the various fields in which they serve. To this end, the Visiting Scholar will:
Make connections outside the core project partnership team to widely disseminate new findings
Expand YRI’s ability to conduct research that improves the lives of children, youth, and families in New York and beyond.
Collaborate with project partners to use data associated with the implementation of pilot projects conducted throughout New York State to develop recommendations for best practices and guide training efforts to support implementation of best practices statewide.
In order to successfully evaluate the project and develop recommendations for statewide implementation, the Visiting Scholar must possess skills that would enable them to effectively complete the following duties:
Collect and analyze significant amounts of statistical data for the purposes of measuring outcomes and making strategic recommendations. Discover trends and patterns from data and use visualization techniques to present recommendations.
Recognize emergent needs and recommend necessary project adjustments based on pilot program implementation data.
Assess success of recommended changes as they are implemented by practitioners to ensure accurate and appropriate data collection.
Work with fellow researchers and experts in the field to use data to develop a series of recommendations based on what worked best in pilot projects.
Communicate effectively in writing and through group and individual instruction to support training providers as they prepare program practitioners to use the new evidence-based model and follow best practices recommended as a result of the pilot project implementation.
Disseminate pilot project outcomes and conclusions to network of partners and experts to improve knowledge in the field.
Deliver formal lectures and host forums or workshops for practitioners about research and related topics of interest.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Doctorate from an accredited college or university in psychology, psychiatry, sociology, social work, public policy, public administration, early childhood development, criminal justice, or closely related discipline (dependent on current research priorities). A Master’s degree with accompanying experience will be considered.
At least 5 years of demonstrably progressive research experience.
Well-developed analytical skills with an ability to synthesize complex information and apply it to strategic recommendations.
Superior proficiency working with SPSS or similar software used for data analytics, interpretation, outcome analysis, and statistically driven recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to manage large scale projects and significant amounts of data.
Outstanding written and verbal communication.
Proven ability to manage project outcomes.
Commitment to teamwork and proactively fostering a collegial work environment.
Intermediate-level computer skills required – including high proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and project management software.
Experience working with diverse groups and populations.
Additional Information:
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. YRI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. YRI is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for persons with disabilities and workplace diversity. It is the policy of YRI to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position for which they are applying or for which they are employed. YRI does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under title I of the ADA.