Title: Research Project Coordinator – Health and Nutrition
Appointment:Full-time, Academic Professional and Administrative,
Post-Doctoral Associate, Job Code 9546
Duration:Temporary, four-year position, annually renewable
Program Area: Extension Center for Family Development
Reports to:Researcher 6
Office Location: Coffey Hall (St. Paul Campus)
Application Deadline:May 6, 2016
ABOUT EXTENSION
The University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota, a land grant institution with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. The mission of the University of Minnesota Extension is: Making a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota.
As one of four centers, the Extension Center for Family Development helps families make informed decisions leading to better health, financial security, and well-being. We accomplish this by developing, delivering and evaluating credible, relevant and research-based education; working closely with others across Minnesota to build the strengths of individuals and families of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds; conducting and collaborating on research projects; recruiting and retaining expert faculty and staff passionate about families and their success; increasing the understanding of our work among key stakeholders; and securing resources to sustain and grow programs that meet emerging needs and support strategic priorities. Extension Center for Family Development programs currently focus on family resiliency and health and nutrition, with special effort in the areas of children’s mental health, families in transition, building healthy and strong families, and preparing for an aging Minnesota.
ABOUT THIS POSITION
The Extension Center for Family Development (“Family Development”) is looking for a Research Project Coordinator to coordinate two projects taking place within the Applied Research and Evaluation team.
•Padres Informados/JovenesPreparados Grant – Family Development partnered with two other University of Minnesota departments and Latino community-serving agencies to develop Padres Informados/JovenesPreparados (also known as “Padres”). Padres is a community-based participatory research (CBPR) intervention that aims to prevent tobacco and other substance use amongst Latino youth (age 10-14) by engaging families in culturally and linguistically appropriate family-skills training. Family Development was recently awarded a federal 5 year grant to expand Padres. This grant project will focus on 1) adapting the program to incorporate nutrition and health content, and 2) expanding the program applicability to Latino families, particularly fathers.
•SNAP-Ed Pilots – One significant effort within the Health and Nutrition program area is the administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) grant. Using grant dollars, educators work throughout the state to make the healthy choice the easy choice for Minnesotans with limited financial resources. For more information on the SNAP-Ed program, visit Plans are currently underway to identify two communities in greater Minnesota and two communities in the urban/metro area to pilot new ways to engage participants and community agencies. For each pilot site, participants and agencies will co-develop multi-level, multi-faceted approaches to integrate direct education and systems and environment changes to promote healthy eating and improved physical activities.
The Research Project Coordinator will manage all aspects related to these two research projects, including develop and implement evaluation protocols, coordinate ongoing communication between internal and external partners, and lead scholarship efforts related to the projects. The person in this position will be trained and mentored by the supervisor, others on the research team and associated faculty related to the research grants.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Ph.D. in social science, public health, or a related discipline.
•Demonstrated experience in designing, conducting, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative applied research.
•Experience and interest in leading scholarship efforts, including writing journal articles and presenting at conferences.
•Demonstrated experience in planning, organizing, problem solving, and successfully completing multiple/multi-site projects under pressure of deadline.
•Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
•Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals, organizations, and/or communities representing new, culturally diverse, economically diverse, and underserved audiences.
•Respectful and professional communication style, with good written and verbal communication skills.
•Ability to fluently speak, read, and write in Spanish.
•Strong computer skills including: high level of comfort using a variety of qualitative and quantitative statistical software; creating documents in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; competent keyboarding/data entry skills; and experience doing internet searches and using email.
•Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle with required liability insurance, to be utilized for frequent travel within Minnesota and infrequent travel outside Minnesota.
•Personal cell phone that can be used, as needed, for work purposes.
•Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including an occasional evening or weekend work.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Two years of experience with coordinating research projects in community settings, preferably related to health disparities.
•Experience working in or with community health and/or Latino-serving community organizations
•Working understanding of metro and out-state Minnesota communities and culture
•Familiarity with the University of Minnesota Extension, Health and Nutrition programs, or SNAP Education.
•Experience working in a program that serves individuals experiencing issues and challenges related to living on a limited income.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Implement the Padres Informados/JovenesPreparados Grant (40%)
•Oversee all day-to-day efforts and decision making for the Padres project, to ensure that it meets the timeline and deliverables set forth in the grant.
•Identify and connect with community partners who can act as host sites and/or recruitment sources.
•Work with the project team to develop the evaluation plan
•Work with the project team to revise the Padres intervention.
•Coordinate efforts to pilot the revised Padres intervention at six community sites.
•Lead implementation of the evaluation plan and manage all data collection for the project.
•Maintaining quality communication to University and community collaborators, the funding agency, human subject review boards, Extension Center for Family Development leadership, and others.
Coordinate the SNAP-Ed Pilots Research (40%)
•Develop evaluation protocols to measure the success of the pilots.
•Travel to the pilot sites to facilitate the day-to-day data collection, working closely with the community partners who are collecting their own data.
•Manage all data collected for the pilot sites.
•Analyze the data to provide rapid feedback to community partners.
Lead Communications and Scholarship Efforts for the Projects (20%)
•Keep the project team, including Family Development and Applied Research and Evaluation leadership, faculty, educators, and external partners, informed about the projects.
•Write reports about the projects.
•Work with the project teams to disseminate information about the projects to the communities involved.
•Write scholarly research articles about the projects.
•Present the research at national conferences.
Other responsibilities assigned as needed
APPOINTMENT AND BENEFITS
This is a temporary, four-year, full-time Academic Professional and Administrative position as Post-Doctoral Associate, job code 9546. This is an annually renewable appointment based on performance and funding.
Salary commensurate with experience and education.
University of Minnesota Benefits apply
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Annual performance evaluation will be provided according to Extension policies and procedures.
TRAVEL
Some occasional travel may be expected and will be reimbursed according to Extension and University policies.
TO APPLY
Job Opening ID: 309105
Please apply online:
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Complete the brief application and include the following attachments with your online application:
1.Resume or vitae.
2.Cover letter which:
a.Describes your qualifications for the position based upon the job requirements and position responsibilities.
b.Includes examples of your proven ability to perform this job.
3.List of three professional references with complete phone and email contact information.
4.Transcripts for all college work.
Instructions for how to submit your transcript(s) and list of three professional references are online at:
Click on Employment
Click on “Using the Job Application System” (5th bullet on the left hand side of the screen)
Click on “My Activity” under “Application Activities”
First apply online and submit your cover letter and resume.
After you apply online on top of the screen you will see “My Activities”. Click on “My Activities” and attach your transcripts and list of three professional references.
For questions about applying online, contact:
Naaz Babvani
Extension Human Resources
260 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave.
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108
Telephone: 612-624-3717
Fax: 612-624-7749
For questions about this position, contact Ghaffar Ali Hurtado, Research Associate (; 612-624-2709).
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
University of Minnesota Extension shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.