Research Associate III

JBS International; Rockville (MD); Remote; USD 94,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement savings

Paid time off

Job summary

JBS International is seeking a behavioral and mental health specialist with extensive experience in statistical and data analytic studies related to rural health transformation initiatives. The role emphasizes CMS data expertise, collaboration with federal clients, and leading national evaluation projects to inform program improvements.

The position requires strong statistical skills, ability to supervise research staff, and capacity to design and implement data collection tools, analysis, and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in public health, epidemiology, economics, sociology, or related social science fields.
• 8 years of experience, with 5+ years related to essential functions; CMS data experience preferred.
• PhD in related fields preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designs evaluation studies (quantitative and mixed methods) to assess health initiatives and outcomes, with rural health focus.
• Lead data collection, data management, and development of data collection tools and databases.
• Oversee statistical analysis, data cleaning, and advanced data wrangling.
• Prepare client-ready reports, dashboards, and infographics to communicate findings.
• Lead statistical analyses with minimal supervision and create merged datasets.
• Develop IRB/OMB submission materials with minimal supervision.
• Assist with project budgets, schedules, and staffing; manage contract compliance.
• Collaborate with federal clients, partner organizations, and rural communities.

Skills

Project management

Supervisory

Statistical analysis

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Master's degree in public health

PhD preferred

Tools

SAS

R

Python

SQL

ATLAS.ti

Microsoft Office

Job description

Work at JBS--a values driven health consulting firm dedicated to improving the lives of real people every day --and build a career with impact. Our over 400 passionate and diverse employees across the country create sustainable change in health care, social services, and education by providing our clients with individualized service and big reach. Our deep expertise is enhanced by access to JBS' parent company, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (BCBSSC) and its team of subsidiary companies, the Celerian Group.

We are looking for a behavioral and mental health specialist with progressive experience conducting complex and multi-faceted statistical and data analytic studies related to rural health transformation initiatives, and expert in analysis Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data. This position requires strong statistical and data analytic skills, expertise in various study designs and data sampling methods particularly using CMS data, rural health transformation initiatives, and demonstrated experience in collaborating with multiple stakeholders to apply evaluation findings to inform continuous improvement in behavioral and mental initiatives and programs. This position requires demonstrated expertise to serve as the point person on national evaluation technical assistance projects and community-level projects consisting of federal awardees including expertise in making staffing, financial and evaluation design decisions to align the project activities with the intended outcomes. This position will facilitate collaborative input and engagement with federal clients, partner organizations and rural communities to complete workplan. Proactively, the specialist mitigates project implementation problems and identifies and pursues areas of opportunity to further support clients and project teams by identifying service delivery models that work in rural areas.

This position functions in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary work team; leads data preparation and data analysis supporting research and evaluation projects or roles within complex projects wherein research and evaluation activities are a critical component of the work. This position supervises Research Assistants and Research Associates working on research and evaluation tasks including sampling, weighting, data management, statistical analysis, continuous quality improvement, reports and presentation. Proactively, this position mitigates project implementation problems and identifies and pursues areas of opportunity to further support clients and project teams by developing and proposing appropriate solutions and services related to rural health. This position is responsible for collaborating with senior staff on continued strategic project and business needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Designs evaluation quantitative and mixed methods studies to assess effects of health initiatives and programs on health outcomes, sustainability, capacity, and access. A focus on rural health is preferred.
• Manages literature reviews and information synthesis
• Designs data collection instruments and protocol that may include surveys, qualitative interviews, data abstraction tools, quality assessment tools related to behavioral and mental health.
• Leads and oversees data collection and the development of data collection databases
• Leads and oversees statistical and data analysis including implementing data cleaning protocols, and addressing data quality, and applying advanced data wrangling processes
• Prepares client-ready written materials including reports, PowerPoint presentations, issue briefs, and case studies that include data visualizations such as charts, tables, dashboards, and infographics to convey findings and communicate information in a manner tailored to the intended audience
• Leads and conducts statistical and data analysis with minimal supervision including monitoring the creation of cleaned, merged datasets, creates variables.
• Develops IRB and OMB submission materials with minimal supervision
• Assists with management of project budgets, schedules, and staffing with minimal supervision
• Manages tasks and deliverables for contract compliance with minimal supervision

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Master's Degree in public health, epidemiology, economics, sociology, or other related social science fields
• 8 years of experience, including 5 years directly related to the essential job functions are required. Direct experience analyzing CMS data is preferred.
• Preferred PhD in public health, epidemiology, economics, sociology, or other related social science fields

Software Proficiency:

• SAS, R, Python, SQL, or other statistical packages or languages
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• ATLAS.ti or other qualitative software

Strong project management, supervisory, problem-solving, and communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with clients, translate technical concepts for diverse audiences, and demonstrate confidence in client-facing interactions

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Ability to conduct advanced statistical analyses with minimal supervision

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Ability to write clearly and concisely with attention to detail and target audience focus with minimal supervision

Language:

English fluency (oral and written)

Location:

This is a remote position with the consideration that if a candidate lives within a 50-mile radius of our North Bethesda or San Mateo offices, employment will be considered hybrid.

Security Clearance:

Ability to attain a Public Trust Clearance

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for prolonged 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:

• Experience leading national evaluation technical assistance projects and community-level projects
• Experience in funding procurement for and management of contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants with respect to rural health initiatives and programs
• Expertise in operations and financial management to monitor and improve program outcomes against operational and budget goals
• Experience in leading behavioral and mental health federal projects including being the point of contact; making staffing, financial, and other decisions to align project activities with project outcomes
• Proven facilitator and engagement with federal, community organizations, and rural communities to implement behavioral and mental health initiatives and programs.

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.

Salary Range: $94,250 - $122,750 annually.

Compensation is determined by years of directly relevant experience, education, certificates, specialized skills, contract labor category requirements, and internal equity considerations. Final salary offers may vary within the posted range.

JBS International provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, paid time off, and other employee programs.

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" 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.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.