Senior Research Associate - Center for Justice & Public Health Initiatives - OJJDP

The Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) is a Florida-based, nonprofit corporation specializing in criminal justice (law enforcement focus), homeland security, and public health/behavioral health issues.

America's substance use crisis is a public safety and public health emergency that threatens the well-being of individuals who use and misuse drugs as well as their families, communities, and, ultimately, the nation. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's (OJJDP) Community and Schools Youth Drug Prevention Program supports new or existing local nonprofit programs to implement best practices or promising approaches for drug prevention programs targeted to youth in school and extracurricular settings. The program's overall objective is to provide project sites with the training and technical assistance (TTA) needed to develop strategies, partnerships, and processes to deliver substance use prevention and intervention education in schools and in extracurricular programming. This may include the implementation of new programs and/or referrals to treatment services.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Description

The Senior Research Associate for the Center for Justice and Public Health Initiatives (JPHI) at the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) possesses extensive knowledge and experience in developing and delivering programmatic and technical assistance for programs at the intersection of public safety and public health concerns. This position provides primary support to all areas of program engagement and requires significant knowledge and experience in subaward management, training and technical assistance (TTA) development and delivery, and project subject-matter expertise focusing on the impact of opioids and other substances on youth, their families, and their communities.

Responsibilities

• Administer a national grant award process to non-profit entities to develop community and school interventions for youth affected by substance use disorders to include the solicitation, selection, and monitoring of awarded sites
• Oversee contractual agreements with TTA partners and researchers to deliver resources to awarded sites and measure the impact of awarded programming
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver documents and outreach products through an online resource hub
• Coordinate and facilitate on-site and virtual technical assistance and training events, including large-scale conferences that prioritize attendee engagement and peer connection via innovative tools and intentional agenda development
• Facilitate group discussions and conduct training and informational presentations
• Work with key stakeholders, including government agencies, to plan and coordinate criminal justice services to the field
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing with agency executives, senior officials, coworkers, and others
• Develop project plans and serve as lead to oversee task teams or short- and long-term specialized projects
• Leverage and connect complementary programs and activities externally and internally, including programs across IIR's Centers of Excellence
• Other duties, as assigned

Knowledge and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required (public health, criminal justice, or a related field)
• Master's degree or doctoral degree in public health, criminal justice or related field preferred
• Minimum 8 years of directly related experience or a combination of education and professional experience
• Knowledge diversion programs serving justice-involved youth with substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder (MHSUD) needs will be prioritized
• Knowledge of public health, the criminal and juvenile justice systems, a law enforcement background, and/or experience in public health or law enforcement preferred
• Ability to analyze complex issues from various stakeholder perspectives at both the macro and micro levels and develop strategies to ensure successful outcomes
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and business acumen to interact with many different departments and decision-makers (within and outside the organization) and community members across the nation with a commitment to building partnerships, advancing collaboration, and promoting a collegial programmatic environment
• Detail-oriented
• Strong analytical and customer-support skills
• Strong facilitation skills
• Strong personal and professional values
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks
• Ability to clearly, professionally, and effectively convey information and concepts, orally and in writing
• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and the Internet

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Most work is performed in a highly productive and fast-paced virtual office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Employees must be able to maintain a quiet, noise-free remote office space that is free of distractions. Some assignments may require travel.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by managers, as appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and IIR reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as appropriate.

Candidates who have accepted an offer will be required to submit to a background investigation, including criminal history, credit history, employment history, educational history, and personal and professional references.