Research Associate Ii/ Data Scientist

The Research Associate II (RAII) will lead data preparation and quantitative data analysis for research and evaluation projects for clients such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). Experience working with health care claims data (preferably Medicare fee-for-service and/or Medicaid data) and beneficiary-level enrollment or other data files is required. In this capacity, the RAII will develop, design, and conduct analyses for various projects that examine the impact of health care interventions. These tasks include data cleaning and manipulating large, complex datasets, data management, statistical analysis, and developing reports and presentations tailored to a variety of audiences. The RAII will work collaboratively with teams to define research and evaluation questions, evaluate the strengths and limitations of potential data sources, and specify appropriate analyses necessary to answer questions.

***Applicants will need to pass a drug screening and client background check and have proof of residency in the United States for at least the last 5 years.

***If you are within a 50 mile location of our San Mateo, CA or North Bethesda, MD offices this position would be a hybrid position with possibly 2 days in office. For the ideal candidate will consider other remote locations.***

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Research and Evaluation Activities

• Lead analytic activities for evaluation research studies which may include but are not limited to studies on public health and behavioral health;

• Contribute to complex research and evaluation studies and designs including multi-site surveys, randomized controlled trials, and quasi experimental studies;
• Provide analytical expertise in inferential statistics, multivariate statistics, and multilevel statistical modeling;
• Provide expertise for robust statistical analyses (e.g., Time Series, Growth Curve Models, Propensity Score Matching, Regression Discontinuity, Difference-in-Differences);

• Conduct data analysis in collaboration with other staff or alone; apply sufficient knowledge of statistical procedures and statistical programming to work independently on statistical analysis;

• Lead data interpretation, report preparation, and publications;
• Lead research and evaluation designs in collaboration with other team members;
• Leads conversion of data outputs to charts, tables, infographics, and text for use in presentations and reports
• Develops issue briefs, case studies, white papers and other materials to convey study findings, best practices, and recommendations to a wide audience

Data Management and Data Collection

• Provide expertise in managing large complex secondary data sources including Federal and State health care claims and other administrative data sources;
• Support and lead primary data collection efforts;

• Develop and monitor data collection plans;
• Develop data collection training materials and training protocols.

Business Development Support

• Develop plans and proposals in response to federal contract requests;
• Use specialized knowledge of a region or area of expertise to assist senior staff in investigating and developing new business opportunities through review of potential proposal requests, networking with other research organizations, contacting and recruiting subject matter experts in the areas of interest.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with existing clients and partners and will also seek out potential new relationships by managing projects with excellence and providing consistently excellent customer service.
• Engage in a process of continuous commitment to excellent client relations, as focus on these relationships is one of the primary strategic roles of the position across all areas of their work.

Logistical and Administrative Tasks

• Manage projects or lead key tasks, as directed;
• Manage and help manage workshops for clients, as needed;
• Handle job tasks with minimal supervision, completing them in an accurate and timely manner.
• Collaborate with senior staff and model an excellent approach to teamwork.

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Language: English Fluency

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public health-related field (e.g., Sociology, Statistics, Education, Economics, Social Sciences, Community Psychology) with coursework in statistics.

Knowledge: Knowledge of research and evaluation design and statistical analysis techniques. Must demonstrate prior work experience managing, cleaning, and analyzing Medicare fee-for-service claims data.

Soft Skills: Ability to communicate effectively, ability to work independently or work collaboratively with a team. Ability to work in fast paced environment with multiple deadlines. Must demonstrate initiative.

Experience: For applicants with a bachelor’s degree, 8 years of experience is required including 3 years of focused experience conducting surveys, quantitative research and evaluation using claims data is required.

Software Proficiency: Experience conducting data management and analyses in SAS, SPSS, andSQL are preferred. Experience in other languages such as Stata or R may be sufficient. Proficiency in MS Excel, MS Word, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, and Alchemer (or other online survey tools).

Location: San Mateo, California; North Bethesda, Maryland; or remote location is negotiable.

Additional Requirements: Applicants will need to pass a drug screening and client background check and have proof of residency in the United States for at least the last 5 years.

Physical/Mental Requirements:

• Ability to sit forprolonged periods at a desk or computer workstation.
• Regularly uses a computer, keyboard, and mouse.
• Normal or corrected vision to read documents, view computer screens, and perform tasks that require visual accuracy.
• Ability to hear and understand spoken information in person and over the phone.
• Minimal lifting and carrying may be required, typically light office supplies or documents.
• Ability to move within the office environment to access equipment, files, and interact with colleagues.
• Ability to handle occasional stress related to deadlines, workloads, or challenging tasks.

PREFERRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Master’s degreewithfive years of experience, including 3 years of focused experience conducting surveys, quantitative research and evaluation using claims data is required.

Software Proficiency: Advanced experience with database development and management using MS Access or other tools and/or familiarity with SQL or SQLPlus and dynamic data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).

Experience: Expertise with process mapping and principal component analysis.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: This position description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position, nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

This position is subject to availability of funds and to any and all restrictions contained in the contract or contracts that provide funding for this position.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

If you meet the minimum requirements for this position, please click on the "Apply" link posted below and complete the application. Please include a cover letter, resume, and at least three (3) professional references.

Our company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Applicants can learn more about the company's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the federal "EEO is the Law" poster at EEOPost.pdf.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.