Job Title: Research Assistant 4
Location: Case Main Campus
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 8506
Job Description POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working with a high degree of independence, the program manager and training lead (Research Assistant 4) will be responsible for coordinating major activities of the Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health. Specifically, the Research Assistant 4 position will lead project management and strategic direction of the Building Capacity for Obesity Prevention (BCOP) study, a research partnership conducted in collaboration with The Ohio State University SNAP-Ed program. The goal of BCOP is to develop, disseminate, and evaluate web-based decision-support tools for tailoring implementation of community nutrition interventions (e.g., farmers markets, health food pantries, healthy food retail, etc.) to the unique levels of readiness and capacity within diverse communities throughout Ohio. Additionally, the Research Assistant 4 will lead Center-wide programming focused on training and community education to advance the Swetland Center’s mission and strategic vision focused on the complex interplay between the environment and human health with a focus on translating these findings to advance environmental health equity. In this role, the Research Assistant 4 will provide leadership to implementation of the Center’s summer internship program, recruitment and retention of trainees to the Center, and monthly seminar series as well as technical assistance to ongoing studies in the Center as they seek to train others to apply Center findings to diverse audiences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide input and recommendations to the Center Director regarding significant developments in the BCOP research project and Center-wide training and community education opportunities. Coordinate grant reporting for existing grants and monitor project budgets and expenses. Advise Director on strategies to advance study goals and training opportunities through innovative partnerships and implementation approaches. Contribute to the development of grant applications to advance research in the area of community nutrition and food systems and support development of analyses, manuscripts, reports, and presentations to translate and disseminate study findings. (20%)Lead execution of BCOP study team that includes multiple collaborators from The Ohio State University SNAP-Ed program, CWRU research staff, and web developer(s) supporting maintenance of the study website (https://psereadi.org/). Develop and apply project management, team science, and strategic planning skills to support coordination and collaboration of the multifaceted study team and timely execution of study deliverables. Develop and execute 6-month study timelines and create and implement contingency plans, when needed. Supervise staff employees and student interns involved with the research in various capacities. Manage all sub-contracts related to the study. (25%)Apply principles of health education theory and adult learning pedagogy to develop, implement, and evaluate trainings to support adoption of online decision-support tools to optimize community nutrition interventions (e.g., farmers’ markets, farm-to-school) among SNAP-Ed staff in Ohio. This includes application of diverse teaching approaches and advanced facilitation skills through web-based and in-person trainings. Develop and implement quality improvement methods to maintain and enhance functionality of the study’s web-based tools and related databases and train and support research staff involved in quality improvement processes. Support development of new decision-support tools focused on K-12 schools and emergency food assistance through engagement in collection and analysis of complex quantitative and qualitative data as well as reporting. (30%)Develop, implement, and evaluate Center-wide summer internship program and monthly seminar series. Develop and refine policies and procedures for trainees (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral) in the Center. Support recruitment, retention, and onboarding of trainees. (25%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Engage in staff-wide activities of the Mary Ann Swetland Center and the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences. (<1%)Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)Participate in local, regional, and/or national networks focused on community nutrition and food systems change. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with Center Director and research staff including principal investigator, program managers, research associates, research assistants, graduate research assistants, and other staff of the Mary Ann Swetland Center to implement project goals and Center-wide communication.

University: Occasional contact with university staff related to contracts, grant management, procurement, professional development, and technology supports to maintain project infrastructure.

External: Regular contact with faculty and staff from The Ohio State University and community nutrition regional and county-level staff to provide information, conduct trainings, and solicit feedback as well as with leaders from organizations and institutions to support training and community education programming.

Students: Continuous contact with graduate students, student workers, volunteers, and Swetland Center Interns.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct supervisory responsibility for fulltime research assistant and student workers/interns involved with the project.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 5 to 8 years of experience required.

Education/Licensing: Bachelor’s degree required; a Master’s degree in nutrition, public health, education, or related field is strongly preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Advanced understanding of public health nutrition, environmental health equity, and social determinants of health.Knowledge in public health and/or community nutrition.Demonstrated ability implementing web-based and in-person trainings to promote learning among adult learners. Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and proven ability to help teams successfully follow-through on assigned projects. Self-motivated, self-directed, and independent.Ability to work collaboratively in cross-function teams comprised of individuals from various academic departments and community sectors.Strong, professional and effective verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate with various individuals from a broad spectrum of disciplines, technical and educational backgrounds within the department, school and university, and with individuals outside the university. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.Basic analytical skills.Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, and Zoom.Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.Ability to meet consistent attendance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

There are no special health or safety hazards, environmental conditions or hazardous equipment or supplies. Work is computer-based in an office setting. Some travel (10%) is required to conduct trainings across the state of Ohio and to attend relevant professional meetings in Ohio and across the United States. The position will be remote while CWRU is following stay at home policies through at least spring 2021.

Diversity Statement

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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