Junior Program Evaluation Specialist

ARA; Alexandria (VA); Remote; USD 87,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) seeks a Junior Program Evaluation Specialist to support a multidisciplinary team delivering data analysis, logic models, and performance metrics for DHS S&T research and other DHS components.

You will assist senior evaluators in evidence-building and developing evaluation plans aligned with federal policy. This role is ideal for early-career professionals who enjoy solving operational problems, working with diverse teams, and learning DHS evaluation

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of program evaluation, social science research, or performance measurement.
• Must be a US citizen.
• Bachelor's degree with 2-4 years of experience OR master's degree with 0-2 years of experience.
• Ability to collect and organize data reliably.
• Interest in homeland security, science and technology, or applied research environments.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Flexibility to know when other methods may be appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing evaluation plans aligned with Evidence Act, DHS evaluation policies, and S&T priorities.
• Support creation of logic models, theories of change, and performance metrics for RDT&E programs.
• Conduct foundational data collection and validation activities (interviews, surveys, literature reviews, document analysis, data analysis).
• Perform entry-level qualitative and quantitative analyses under supervision.
• Prepare draft summaries, visualizations, and findings for internal review.
• Help track evaluation tasks, timelines, and documentation across multiple projects.
• Ensure compliance with DHS data governance, privacy, and information security standards.
• Participate in learning agenda activities and assist with compiling evidence inventories.

Skills

Foundational knowledge of program eval

US citizenship

Data collection and organization

Interests in homeland security/ S&T

Team collaboration

Flexibility in methods

Education

Bachelor's degree with 2-4 years experience

Master's degree with 0-2 years experience

Tools

None

Job description

The Capabilities, Analysis and Development (CAD) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) has an outstanding opportunity for a Junior Program Evaluation Specialist to support a multi-disciplinary team providing data analysis, business intelligence, operations research, and decision support across the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mission space. As a Junior Program Evaluation Specialist, you will support evidence-building, program assessment, and data-driven decision-making for DHS Science & Technology (S&T) research and innovation portfolios and other DHS components. This position assists senior evaluators and program managers in developing logic models, collecting data, and conducting basic analyses that inform S&T’s applied research, technology transition, and operational capability development. This role is ideal for early-career individuals passionate about solving real operational problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in developing evaluation plans aligned with the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act (Evidence Act), DHS evaluation policies, and S&T strategic priorities.
• Support creation of logic models, theories of change, and performance metrics for RDT&E programs.
• Conduct foundational data collection and validation activities (interviews, surveys, literature reviews, document analysis, data analysis).
• Perform entry-level qualitative and quantitative analyses under supervision.
• Prepare draft summaries, visualizations, and findings for internal review.
• Help track evaluation tasks, timelines, and documentation across multiple projects.
• Ensure compliance with DHS data governance, privacy, and information security standards.
• Participate in learning agenda activities and assist with compiling evidence inventories.

Required Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of program evaluation, social science research, or performance measurement.
• Must be a US citizen.
• Bachelors degree with 2-4 years of experience OR masters degree with 0-2 years of experience.
• Ability to collect and organize data reliably.
• Interest in homeland security, science and technology, or applied research environments.
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams.
• Flexibility to know when other methods may be appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience (internships, coursework, or projects) in evaluation, data analysis, or program assessment.
• Familiarity with Evidence Act principles, DHS mission areas, or federal RDT&E processes.

Working Conditions

• Work will be remote with occasional travel to client site and potential evaluation sites. Client offices are at DHS’ St. Elizabeth campus in Washington, D.C.

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay Ranges: From $87,000.00 - $116,000.00 per year based on years of experience, degree and any special skills and knowledge that you may bring to the position. We mostly reserve the upper half of our compensation bands for internal growth. During all call with one of our recruiters or hiring managers, they can further clarify the salary range and total compensation. ARA offers competitive benefits that address our employees’ needs now and in the future. Learn more about each of our benefits at https://www.ara.com/benefits/

Company Information

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 1200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.