Research Specialist I

Salary : $64,467.94 - $86,978.94 Annually
Location : Riverside
Job Type: Regular
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 24-79837-01JH
Department: Behavioral Health (RUHS)
Division: Research
Opening Date: 04/02/2024
Closing Date: 4/9/2024 12:00 AM Pacific
ABOUT THE POSITION
The County of Riverside's Research Unit at Riverside University Health System (RUHS) - Behavioral Health Department seeks a Research Specialist I to join our team in Riverside.
The incumbent will be responsible for participating in the planning, implementation, and direction of research and/or program evaluation projects. The incumbent will work with other research and technology staff and other RUHS-BH staff and contracting providers to ensure that local, state, federal, and other reporting requirements are followed. Collaborating with internal and external customers on data collection and reporting specifications, regular reporting responsibilities, and responding to urgent data requests.
Desired Qualifications:

• Masters/Ph.D. with graduate-level work in research design, data collection methods, and advanced statistics.
  
• Two years experience in research and/or evaluation activities which included research/evaluation design, data collection, electronic data storage, statistical analysis, and report or grant writing preferred.
  
• Proficiency with statistical software (SPSS and/or r), report design in SSRS, Power BI, and/or Crystal Reports.
  
• Possess SQL and/or GIS skills
  
• Experience in behavioral health and using electronic health record data.

Work Schedule:
9/80 or 5/8
Monday through Friday - Day Shift
Remote work every other week at the department's discretion and after applicable training period.
Meet the Team!
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Initiate research and statistical investigations and plan, design, and conduct the activities of such investigations; recognize the need for research and statistical investigations in the delivery of services and program planning and evaluation.
• Assists in the coordination with staff and outside agencies to obtain data; designs, organizes and develops research plans and evaluation designs.
• May assist in defining study populations and sample criteria; design, develop and maintain databases; write queries to extract data to produce ongoing and unexpected management reports; create, test and administer surveys and questionnaires; conduct focus and personal interviews; develop forms, procedures, schedules and sampling criteria for data collection.
• Advise administrators of research findings and/or procedures; prepare narrative reports of findings with valid conclusions and statistical significance; project program impacts and provide trend analysis.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from a recognized college with a Master's degree in social science, statistics, mathematics, economics, business/public administration, public health, data processing, or any of the natural sciences.
Experience:
OPTION I
Two years of progressively responsible experience in administrative, professional, investigative, technical or other responsible work which included statistical analysis, research or program design and data collection, and electronic data storage and report generation or grant writing.
Knowledge of: policies, procedures, practices and legislation governing the provision of social service delivery systems; advanced research and statistical methods including data collection and analysis; computer programming and processing methods; principles of management including planning, organizing and evaluating programs; social service concepts and issues.
Ability to: develop and prepare concise and coherent oral and written reports and recommendations; analyze, interpret and evaluate statistical data and research findings; use statistical software packages on personal computers; maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; design and carry out research topics related to social service.
License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Reasonable AccommodationsThe County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). If you are a qualified individual and need a reasonable accommodation to take this exam, contact the recruiter before taking the exam. For additional information and the accommodation form, visit the Disability Access Office web page at:
Veterans' PreferenceThe County has a Veteran's Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy.
Pre-EmploymentAll employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment).
Probationary PeriodAs an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
What's Next?This recruitment is open to all applicants.
Application Period
BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. All applicants must submit a complete application by the closing date of this recruitment. No late applications will be permitted.
Include relevant work experience details on your resume and/or application.
Applicants who fail to provide information demonstrating they possess the position requirements may not be considered further in the application process. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ().
For questions regarding this recruitment contact the recruiter, Jeremy Holforty : jholfort@rivco.org/ 951-955-5558.
GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
• Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
• Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.

A new member is defined as any of the following:

1. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
2. A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.
3. A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0 < 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4 < 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.
01
Do you possess a valid California Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

02
What is the highest level of education you have from an accredited college or university in social science, statistics, mathematics, economics, business/public administration, public health, data processing, or any of the natural sciences?

• None of these
• Less than 30 semester or 45 quarter units
• At least 30 semester or 45 quarter units
• At least 60 semester or 90 quarter units
• At least 90 semester or 135 quarter units
• At least 120 semester or 180 units
• I have my Associates degree
• I have my Bachelors degree
• I have my Masters degree
• I have my Doctorate degree

03
Have you taken graduate-level coursework in research design, data collection methods, and/or advanced statistics?

• Yes
• No

04
How many years of experience do you possess of professional, technical or other responsible work which included statistical analysis, research or program design and data collection, and electronic data storage and report generation or grant writing?

• None
• Less than 12 months
• 1 year or more, but less than 2
• 2 years or more, but less than 3
• 3 years or more, but less than 4
• 4 years or more, but less than 5
• 5 years or more, but less than 6
• 6 years or more

05
How many years of experience do you possess that is equivalent to the Riverside County Research Specialist I?

• None
• Less than 12 months
• 1 year or more, but less than 2
• 2 years or more, but less than 3
• 3 years or more, but less than 4
• 4 years or more, but less than 5
• 5 years or more, but less than 6
• 6 y...