Field Interviewer

On behalf of the state of Minnesota, Vital Research is seeking Field Interviewers to serve as independent contractors to conduct interviews with individuals who are receiving state services to assess participant quality of life and satisfaction with services. Field Interviewers conduct semi-structured interviews in-person or remotely (via Zoom or phone) with older adults and persons who have a disability from varying cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Core questions cover topics such as: accessing essential services, communication with providers, case managers, choice of services, medical transportation, and personal safety, as well as community inclusion and empowerment. Interviews will be conducted for two projects:

• National Core Indicators -Aging and Disabilities (NCI-AD)

• National Core Indicators - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (NCI-IDD)

This temporary project begins with a two-day in person orientation on February 21st and 22nd. The project will last until May 2024 (or until all interviews are completed). Additional training in the form of webinars and self-paced modules will occur after the two-day orientation. Interviewers must agree to schedule and conduct on average 8 interviews a week, each lasting 30-45 minutes.
Responsibilities

• Call potential participants/guardians to explain the project and schedule interviews based on participants' interview mode of preference.
• Organize and manage your own interview schedule.

• Be punctual, work independently, and remain unbiased when conducting interviews.
• Drive to conduct interviews at the respondent's preferred location, usually their home, for in-person interviews.
• Track call dispositions and access participant information on an online file-sharing platform.
• Manage all aspects of Zoom video meetings, including invitations and providing technical support to respondents.
• Record interview outcomes and resolve inconsistencies in responses, review data, and submit completed interviews and findings.

• Comply with confidentiality, federal HIPAA regulations, and adhere to data security requirements.
• Maintain regular communication with Vital Research.

Requirements

• Reside in the state of Minnesota.

• Must be fully vaccinated.
• Self-driven and thrive in independent, remote work environments.
• Tech-savvy and can maneuver through Zoom and other web-based platforms with ease and minimal instruction. In fact, uploading/downloading Excel and Word files are second nature to you and you effortlessly troubleshoot possible technical glitches.
• Comfortable interacting with adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and demonstrate concern and sensitivity to issues of disability, illness, and communication challenges.
• Possess superior communication abilities to secure trust, boost participation, and build rapport with potential participants.

• Have your own car and be comfortable traveling to and interviewing participants in their residences.
• Own a webcam and utilize a private personal computer and a secure Wi-Fi connection (at least 20mpbs/5mbp) for contract work.
• Must be organized and pay attention to details.
• Ability to stay focused, are self-disciplined and nothing falls through the cracks on your watch.

Desired Qualifications

• The ability to read, write, and fluently communicate in Hmong/English, Somalian/English, or Spanish/English is highly desired.
• Experience in research fieldwork, especially interviewing or observation.
• Familiarity with persons who have a disability, group homes or adult foster homes, older adults, or day centers.
• Interest in professional development toward future graduate school or employment in advanced social research.

Compensation
Interviewers will need to invoice Vital Research to receive payment at the following rates:

• $400 flat rate for orientation
• $80 per completed phone interview

• $85 per completed video interview
• $90 per completed in-person interview, depending on the interview distance from interviewer's home

Field interviewers MUST be available to conduct all interview modes (in-person, phone, and video) based on participant preference. All work hours (including scheduling of appointments), travel time, mileage, and supplies are included in the per-interview compensation rate.
All consulting opportunities and offers of employment with Vital Research are conditioned on completing and passing a background check, attending orientation, participating in mandatory testing requirements (e.g., COVID-19), and using designated PPE when required.
Join us in giving underrepresented communities a voice in the future of state services in Minnesota!