Research Program Specialist - School of Social Work

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for a Research Program Specialist in CPRD within the School of Social Work. The role leads data collection, analysis, reporting, and evaluation projects focused on juvenile and criminal justice, including reports for the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission and OJJDP-aligned data efforts.

The program emphasizes collaboration with funders, state data administrators, and stakeholders, delivering policy briefs, training, and technical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, sociology, or related field; experience with qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership abilities for coordinating multiple work projects.

Responsibilities

• Project Management/Coordination: liaison with funders and stakeholders; manage timelines and deliverables.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: author major reports and develop data collection protocols.
• Training and Technical Assistance: provide trainings and presentations to agencies and teams.
• Other duties as appropriate and assigned by CPRD leadership.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Organization

Solution‑oriented

Communication skills

Report writing

Judgment

Teamwork

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, or related field

Master’s degree in criminal justice, social work, or related field

Tools

JMIS

Job description

Research Program Specialist Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD)

School of Social Work

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Located in Champaign, IL

Job Summary

The Research Program Specialist (RPS) for the Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD), within the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, will lead a team that conducts data collection and analysis, data reporting, and evaluations targeting the juvenile and criminal justice systems. CPRD is a vibrant applied research center with over thirty years of experience. CPRD has a $3.9 million‐dollar portfolio of applied research projects in juvenile justice, substance use prevention, early childhood health, teen pregnancy prevention, and middle school education reform.

They will work on the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission’s initiatives which currently involve tracking all juvenile detention admissions, reporting on juvenile transfers to adult court, and monitoring racial and ethnic disparities. The person in this position will also assist with providing technical assistance to detention centers, circuit clerks and State’s Attorney’s offices regarding data collection. The person in this position will also collaborate with stakeholders on the annual collection, analysis and reporting of R/ED data for the five decision making points required by the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency prevention (OJJDP). They will assist in developing and maintaining a jail removal monitoring universe consistent with the OJJDP requirements. They will also oversee the development, implementation, budgeting and evaluation of multiple work projects and work plans and write or contribute to policy briefs and publications on these efforts. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills are essential to this position.

Duties & Responsibilities

Project Management/Coordination

• Serves as primary liaison between CPRD and funders. Forms mutually beneficial partnerships with funders, state‑level data administrators and foundations regarding issues related to applied research, evaluation design, database development, data collection, interpretation and utilization of evaluation findings and developing a better understanding for how to use data.
• Serves in a project leadership role to ensure the project team delivers work products in a timely, complete and professional manner; and meets all short, intermediate and long‑term goals. Maintains responsibility for timelines, work products, and project completion.
• Advises the Director and CPRD leadership team on issues of pursuing new juvenile and criminal justice funding. Recommends resource allocation on annual budgets to Primary Investigator or Co‑Primary Investigator of CPRD projects.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Author major reports such as the annual detention report, annual juvenile transfer report, jail removal report, and annual RED report.
• Conceptualize research questions to guide the development, management and implementation of applied research protocols, procedures and measures.
• Develop surveys and other data collection instruments and protocols. Data collection, interpretation and utilization of data findings.

Training and Technical Assistance

• Provide consultation and technical assistance to funders, state or national agencies, or communities (e.g., provide trainings on database design and user support to JMIS users).
• Create and present presentations and/or trainings on various topics to juvenile justice councils, the IJJC, and other stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and expertise in criminal and juvenile justice research and practice for the development of research projects, scholarly work, reports, and products for publication and dissemination.
• Other duties as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, community psychology, sociology, education, public health, or related field. Experience with qualitative data collection and analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in criminal justice, social work, community psychology, sociology, education, public health, or related field. Experience with or understanding of the roles of the Juvenile Justice Councils and the State Advisory Group (i.e., the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Excellent interpersonal, time management, organization, and solution‑focused skills. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment. Ability to draft high‑quality reports for public dissemination. Good judgment (e.g., working within contracted role, responding appropriately to requests, verifying information) when representing CPRD externally via trainings, presentations, and site visits. Knowledgeable about Illinois’ juvenile justice system in the following areas including: racial/ethnic disparities at the five points of contact: diversion, arrest, detention, secure confinement, and transfer to adult court, Ability to apply a racial equity lens to juvenile justice reform. Knowledge of evidence‑based practices, policies, and practices in juvenile justice. Knowledge of criminal and juvenile justice, racial and ethnic disparities, and early intervention/prevention needs.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full‑time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12‑month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search posting closes. Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on‑site as needed per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $50,000–$55,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.

At the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first‑generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far‑reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well‑being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign‑Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non‑discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E‑Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217‑333‑0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .