Research Assistant
- Summary
The Assessment, Policy Development, & Evaluation (APDE) unit of Public Health | Seattle & King County is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Research Assistant to work on a community-engaged Public Health evaluation to join our team. The ideal candidate will be seeking to elevate their Public Health practice through evaluation in this experience.
We aim to promote the professional development of a Research Assistant from communities consistently underrepresented in Public Health fields.
The Research Assistant will work closely with staff in Public Health - Seattle & King County (PHSKC) to support the evaluation of a program that addresses health literacy and COVID-19. This program focuses on a community-engaged process to create and disseminate culturally and linguistically aligned COVID-19 health information, guidance, and training. Graduate students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are strongly encouraged to apply.- The position will last for up to 3 months, June – August 2022, and will not be renewed after the summer.
Criteria:- Applicants must reside in Washington state throughout the employment period.
- Applicants must have completed their COVID-19 vaccine series two weeks before the start date.
- Applicants must have a strong background in qualitative public health evaluation, health education, and health literacy.
ABOUT THIS POSITION:
The Assessment, Policy Development, and Evaluation unit (APDE) of Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) is building opportunities to increase the knowledge, diversity, and skills of evaluators underrepresented in Public Health by sexual orientation, gender, people with disabilities, socioeconomic status (SES), and those from underrepresented racial and ethnic populations.
The Research Assistant will participate in a project that aims to improve access, policy, and overall infrastructures in engaging with racial/ethnic populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This position will work closely with Public Health staff to support evaluation of PHSKC’s community partnership efforts and receive professional and personal development. Through their work, the Research Assistant will learn more about collaborations across PHSKC staff, program managers, community partners, and other King County agencies.
As the only jurisdiction in the world named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
We have a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from vulnerable communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
Applicants should be committed to working with diverse populations throughout King County to provide excellent customer service to a broad range of cultures, in accordance with the King County Equity and Social Justice Ordinance and the King County Strategic Plan.
Who May Apply:This position is open to all qualified applicants.
Work Schedule:The Research Assistant may work up to 40 hours per week during the business hours of 8am – 5pm.
The work associated with this position will be performed predominantly by teleworking; complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.- Job Duties
- Collaborate with the lead evaluator to plan, design, and implement the evaluation plan and data collection tools.
- Work closely with the health literacy team to align evaluation with program goals and to integrate health literacy principles throughout the project.
- Support the lead evaluator in completing evaluation and project deliverables.
- Assist in the design of qualitative evaluation tools, such as surveys and focus group protocols.
- Assist in qualitative data analysis.
- Observe and facilitate focus groups with community-based project partners, as well as conduct informational interviews with internal PHSKC teams.
- Assist in writing up and communicating evaluation results to a variety of internal and community audiences.
- Support quarterly reporting to a federal funder.
- Build and maintain relationships with diverse community partners and advisory group.
- Uphold a commitment and practice of equity and social justice through the use of data and community engagement.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Exceptional skill at developing and maintaining relationships with diverse populations, including community members and internal PHSKC teams.
- Exceptional teamwork skills.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and social justice.
- Intermediate knowledge of qualitative evaluation design.
- Intermediate knowledge of qualitative data analysis.
- Intermediate knowledge of survey design and implementation.
- Intermediate experience with facilitating interviews and focus groups.
- Intermediate skill at presenting data and results to a diverse audience.
- Life experience with issues of health equity and health literacy.
Desired Qualifications:- Desire to attend a graduate program in a health equity-oriented program.
- Experience with qualitative analysis software, such as Dedoose, MAXQDA, and AtlasTI.
- Experience with co-design processes.
- Intermediate experience in peer mentoring and mentoring student interns.
- Experience with Public Health evaluation in a government setting.
- Supplemental Information
- Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
People are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after receiving the final dose of a vaccination approved by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Application process:
Applications will be reviewed after the job posting closes. The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- An electronic application through www.kingcounty.gov/jobs or www.governmentjobs.com (use the "Apply" link) including work history and position duties.
- Responses to supplemental questions.
- Resume.
- Attach a cover letter.
Please do not copy and paste your entire resume, or copy and paste your entire job history, as your answers to the supplemental questions as these will be considered incomplete.
You may attach multiple documents if you wish:
- Copy and paste one or more documents into the text resume section of the application.
- Attach multiple documents/files in the resume attachment section.
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the standard information in the application. Providing information only in a resume will not be considered a complete application.
Your application materials must validate your answers to the supplemental questions. If your answers cannot be validated, you will not proceed to the next steps of the process.
The selected candidate will be required to pass a thorough background investigation. In the event the job classification requires an exam; an offer of employment will be contingent on passing a pre-employment physical exam and must maintain security clearance.
Supplemental Information:
This selection process may include but is not limited to: evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, testing and interviewing. For more information on our selection process, please refer to http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs/applying.aspx
Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
Staff may be required to play an active role in the event of a public health emergency, which may include changes in responsibilities and working hours.
If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Applicants from this job posting may be used to fill temporary or other positions in this classification for a period of up to a 6 months.
Union affiliation:Non-RepresentedContact:
For more information about the application process please contact Mark Lacy at Mlacy@kingcounty.gov.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Do you live in Washington State?
- Yes
- No
02Are you a current graduate student or will you be a graduate student in the fall?- Yes
- No
03Do you have experience with qualitative and/or community engaged research or evaluation?- Yes
- No
04Describe your relevant educational and work experiences that make you a fitting candidate for this position.05Describe how you have applied (or will apply) your personal lived experiences to projects engaged in equity work (e.g., research, evaluation, community service, or other activities).06Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
07If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoffRequired Question