EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms.  EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives.

EDC has a commitment to promoting equity and access to high-quality education and health services that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. EDC expresses its commitment to increasing equity through its strategies, services, and products, contributing to building capacity and transforming lives.

At EDC, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, and clients above all else. In response to the increased transmissibility with recent variants and in compliance with President Biden’s Executive Order for Federal Contractors, all US-based EDC employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, as a condition of employment. Accommodations due to medical or religious exemptions will be considered.

EDC is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The Health Promotion, Practice, and Innovation (HPPI) Portfolio, within EDC’s US Division has an opening for a full-time Research Assistant II, reporting to the SPRC Senior Prevention Specialist. The position is eligible to work in EDC’s Washington, DC or Waltham, MA offices and is open to telecommuters.

The HPPI portfolio includes a range of projects that aim to promote social and emotional wellbeing, promote mental and behavioral health, and to prevent risky behaviors such as substance misuse, violence, and suicide. Our project beneficiaries range from state agencies (e.g., state departments of public health and education), community-based organizations, and school districts. Our funders include federal agencies, state agencies, foundations, community-based organizations, and school districts. Our work includes trainings and professional development opportunities, technical assistance and consultation, and research and evaluation.

We are seeking a Research Assistant II to join our team. The Research Assistant II will work primarily on needs assessments, information gathering, and environmental scans. In addition, this person will support the state infrastructure advisory committee and other related projects for the State and Community Initiatives with the Suicide Prevention Resource Center project. The person in this position would contribute to gathering and presenting research and information to inform the discussion, debate, and planning of suicide prevention decision-makers at national, state, and local levels. The candidate’s primary responsibilities will be to support the state suicide Prevention Specialists who provide technical assistance and consultation to states and US territories in implementing the state suicide prevention infrastructure recommendations. They will be responsible for conducting literature searches, data management, maintaining files, assisting with data analysis, and generating correspondence, reports, graphics, and presentations.

The Research Assistant II will demonstrate communication, accountability, flexibility/adaptability, judgment/problem solving, customer service, and core values while fulfilling job duties.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.

Under management guidance, the Research Assistant II provides support to qualitative &/or quantitative investigation efforts, including:

• Researching & analyzing, using independent judgment in consultation to support technical assistance needs
• Developing written materials and new resources based on literature scans and external subject matter expert input
• Providing or facilitating individual and group consultation on suicide prevention topics
• Compiling research for use with project work, including preparing presentations for conferences and events
• Documenting & cataloging
• Maintaining records
• Preparing recommendations
• Disseminating information
• Researching and gathering public record data and managing data sharing agreements and records with partners
• Planning and facilitating online/virtual events, including managing timelines, writing goals and objectives, recruiting speakers, and coordinating with tech staff
• Conducting literature reviews, including identifying the scope and inclusion/exclusion parameters for the review and summarizing findings
• Supporting development of PowerPoint presentations, information summaries, and other visualizations of data and information

The Research Assistant II:

• Coordinates data and information collection
• Facilitates project teamwork; engages collaboratively in feedback, including troubleshooting complex problems, proposing alternatives, and recommending or negotiating solutions
• Leads specific administrative tasks
• Assists with quality assurance
• Provides logistical support, utilizing technology experience to work independently
• May lead parts of a project or coordinate sections of larger projects
• May train junior staff; may provide direction to support staff
• May be expected to travel

This unique opportunity provides the excitement of working for a successful, high-growth, mission-driven organization, continuing to grow as a trusted, objective leader in the field of suicide prevention. Candidates should have knowledge in the areas below and the following skills, abilities, and personal characteristics.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships with colleagues, partners, and funders over long distances.
• Collaboration: Ability to work both on a team and independently without close oversight. Skilled as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside EDC. Skilled at facilitating consensus-building and priority setting, especially with priority partners outside EDC.
• Communications: Strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in supervisory relationships, with colleagues, and with project partners and funders. Experience developing and reviewing written materials for outside audiences.
• Organization: Ability to manage time and successfully work on multiple projects at once.

This position requires educational achievement; excellent writing skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; and strong interpersonal and organizational skills. Specific requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education & experience in a related field such as research, public health, evaluation, or data analysis
• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of training & education in a related field such as epidemiology, evaluation, or research, preferred
• 3–5 years related behavioral health, public health, suicide prevention, research, education, or administrative coordination, requiring experience with computer applications (including databases) and Internet research
• Experience with Qualtrics or another online survey program preferred
• Strong proficiency with Excel and experience with SAS, SPSS, STATA, R, or Python or another industry-leading statistical software (required)
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in data visualization (required) with experience with Tableau, PowerBI, or another database software (preferred)
• Experience with NVivo, ATLAS, or other industry-leading qualitative software (preferred)

Applications should be submitted directly via our website (www.edc.org/careers-edc). Applicants are required to submit both a cover letter and a resume. Applicants are advised to combine their cover letter and resume into a single file for submission. The cover letter should be a succinct statement of interest to include highlights of relevant qualifications and experience for the role desired and should not exceed 2 pages. The resume should not exceed 5 pages. Applications without requested items will not be considered. Candidates selected for an interview may be asked to provide writing samples and/or participate in exercises to demonstrate skills and experience as part of the interview process. 

As an EOE/AA employer, EDC does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status. EDC is a smoke-free workplace.