Community-Engaged Research and Training Specialist

Position Title: Community-Engaged Research and Training Specialist

Job Description:

The Division of Community Engagement, an integral unit within the Provost's Office, is currently seeking a Community-Engaged Research and Training Specialist. This position will play a pivotal role in advancing community-engaged research at Virginia Commonwealth University. The primary focus is on integrating the research needs of both VCU and our community partners, while simultaneously enhancing the capacity of VCU researchers and students to address societal challenges through community-engaged research practices.

Key responsibilities include developing and implementing policies and practices that nurture and sustain high-impact community-engaged research. This role contributes to our university's regional and national reputation as a leader in this field. VCU, recognized as a prominent urban R1 university, has already established a robust presence in community-engaged research across various units.

We are actively seeking a candidate with a proven track record in community-engaged research scholarship who can craft tailored curricula and Training programs. These initiatives will serve both the VCU community and our valued community partners, promoting engaged research practices that specifically target local and regional needs, with a particular emphasis on addressing social determinants of health.

A primary objective of this role is to significantly increase the number of well-trained staff, students, and faculty members proficient in community-engaged research at VCU. This position is situated within the Division of Community Engagement and will report to the AVP of Community Partnerships. The selected candidate will join a dynamic Division of Community Engagement team and collaborate closely with various community-engaged and research units across VCU to ensure that VCU faculty, students, and staff receive the essential training and support needed to excel in community-engaged research within the VCU community. Demonstrated success in community-engaged research training and research itself will be crucial, as well as the ability to work collaboratively while staying focused on the VCU mission and core values.

Qualifications:

1. Educational Background: A Ph.D. in a relevant field, such as social sciences, public health, education, or a related discipline.

2. Training Experience: Proven experience in curriculum development and Training at the university level, with an emphasis on community-engaged research methods, practices and scholarship.

3. Research Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in community-engaged research, including a track record of successful grant funding (NIH, NSF) and securing external funding, including foundation grants, for community-engaged research projects.

4. Community Engagement: Experience integrating academic research with community partner needs and promoting bidirectional application and benefit of research Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively train and support faculty, students, and community stakeholders to promote community engaged research.

5. Leadership Abilities: Strong leadership skills to work collaboratively and guide and mentor faculty and students in community-engaged research.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Teaching and Training: Develop sustainable training modules for students, faculty and staff to obtain credentialing in community-engaged Research and academic-community partnership best practices aligned with One VCU and Quest 2028 Thriving Communities theme. Develop and implement sustainable training modules for community partners to build stakeholder capacity to address identified community need to advance social and economic development. 

2. Grant Writing: Assist faculty and students in identifying funding opportunities and provide support in writing successful grant proposals for community-engaged research projects.

3. Mentorship: Provide mentorship and guidance to faculty and students involved in community-engaged research, helping them navigate research processes and community engagement.

4. Research Support: Offer expertise and support in designing, implementing, and evaluating community-engaged research projects.

5. Infrastructure: In partnership with research units, advocate for the alignment of policies and procedures to support community-engagement in research 

6. Networking: Promote VCU community engaged research scholarship with other universities and institutions to promote research collaborations and disseminate exemplary community-engaged research efforts 

Tasks:

Develop curriculum and provide training (online and in person) for faculty, staff, and students on core components of community-engaged research to increase the number of staff, students, and faculty trained in community-engaged research core competencies. 

Provide consultation and support to university and community partners specific to community-engaged Research and design, ensuring they align with university goals and ethical standards. 

Develop procedures for the alignment of community-engaged research with VCU's focus on priority communities and addressing societal challenges. 

Work collaboratively with the appropriate VCU units to evaluate the impact of community-engaged research initiatives and provide recommendations for improvement. 

Develop and maintain a database of funding opportunities for community-engaged research. 

Identify varied opportunities to promote VCU's commitment to community engagement and research through presentations, publications, and the participation of faculty, staff, students, and/or community partners in relevant conferences and data dissemination events.

Posting Details:

Job Family: Community Engagement and Outreach

University Job Title: Senior Education Specialist CE

Department: Office of the Provost
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt

ORP Eligible: No

Salary Range: $85,000-$100,000