Research Assistant

Research Assistant

Job Description:

Marion Edward Associates, Inc (MEA) has contracted with our client to conduct comprehensive research and analysis aimed at improving outcomes for participants in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (TANF VIEW) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) programs. The heart of our work will be centered around conducting interviews, observations, focus groups, data collection, and analysis.

MEA is seeking assistance from two dedicated assistants to provide an estimated 200 hours of project support for two project components over the period of .

Site Visits: Analysts will be required to support MEA onsite in Virginia over the course of two to three weeks with travel to various localities to be determined. The ideal analysts will play a crucial role in supporting data collection and engagement efforts during various site visits with VDSS participants, staff, and community stakeholders.

Research and Analysis: Analysts may also be required to support the Clients’ project team with data gathering, analysis, and visualization to support drafting project deliverables including a preliminary and final report. This may include review and summarization of policies, procedures, and reports, as well as drafting sections of the final report.

Primary Responsibilities:

· Take detailed notes during site visits, documenting discussions and observations

· Assist with conducting one-on-one interviews and cofacilitate focus groups

· Support information-gathering sessions by coordinating logistics and participant engagement

· Collaborate with the team to analyze and summarize findings from site visits

· Conduct research and analysis of policies, procedures, reports

· Assisting with compilation and analysis of data gathered from interviews, focus groups, surveys, reports, and research

Preferences:

· Reside in Virginia, not required

· Bilingual candidates are preferred, (NOT REQUIRED) with a strong emphasis on Spanish, Arabic, or Amharic-speaking analysts

· Availability to complete multiple week-long site visits to Virginia, from October through December

· Flexible hours to accommodate travel and site visit schedules (may include working more than 8 hours a day during site visits to accommodate travel between various sites).

· Strong experience in note taking, interviewing, and writing skills

· Experience with public assistance workforce development programs and policies

Qualifications:

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with excellent listening and typing skills and the ability to work independently and as a part of a team

· Experience in note taking, interviewing, and/or conducting focus groups.

· Excellent listening and typing skills, able to rapidly summarize relevant information and critical details from interviews and discussions

· Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Teams

· Strong analytical, research, and formal writing skills, including experience with data visualization and analysis

· Attention to detail and strong organizational skills

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $20.00 - $40.00 per hour

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Do you have at least 1 year experience documenting information-gathering sessions?
• Do you have at least 2 years experience conducting research and analysis of policies, procedures, reports?
• Do you have at least 2 years experience with assisting with compilation and analysis of data gathered from interviews, focus groups, surveys, reports, and research?
• Do you have experience with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Teams?
• Are you a comfortable driving distance from Blacksburg, VA 24060?

Location:

• Blacksburg, VA 24060 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Blacksburg, VA 24060: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $40