Organizational Summary:

The School Mental Health Collaborative (SMHC) Research, Training, and Technical Assistance Center at the University of South Florida (USF) is seeking a Senior (Sr.) Social and Behavioral Researcher to join its existing personnel. SMHC (www.smhcollaborative.org) is a multi-university consortium that conducts research that informs policy and practice related to the promotion of social-emotional and behavioral success of all youth. The Senior Social and Behavioral Researcher would join a rapidly growing team led by USF faculty Co-Directors (Drs. Nate von der Embse, Shannon Suldo, and Evan Dart), and includes a Center Director, two Postdoctoral Fellows, two Research Assistant Professors, and numerous graduate students.



The mission of the SMHC Center is to facilitate and promote access to high-quality and evidence-based school mental health practices throughout Florida and the US. Ongoing projects at the SMHC Center involve national and state agencies with focused research and partnerships in the following areas: positive psychology interventions, suicide prevention, school threat and violence reduction, mental health and resilience assessment, and training the next generation of school mental health leaders.



Position Overview:

The Sr. Social and Behavioral Researcher will be responsible for establishing and maintaining new and scalable data management systems for the SMHC. To accomplish this goal, the researcher will work across various projects within the SMHC to help build and optimize data collection and management processes, as well as resources, aimed at meeting grant objectives with fidelity. It is expected that the individual in this position will be collaborative with SMHC Center staff to advance its mission and vision in the realm of school-based mental health. This individual should have experience in large data systems, data analysis and presentation, and working with school systems. This individual should have a graduate degree in a related field with an emphasis in working with data systems such as Public Health, Social Work, Counseling, School Psychology, Statistics and Quantitative Measurement, Psychology, and Special Education.

Key Functions:



Quality Assurance Management

Create a documentation management system (e.g., manual) outlining key partnerships within the SMHC.
Develop, implement, and maintain effective and efficient data policies and procedures, gaining input from SMHC leadership.
Support SMHC with grant outcomes related to institutional and sponsor requirements including operational requisites and reporting obligations.
Pilot the development of new processes, standards, or plans in support of the organization’s strategies for the SMHC.
Establish internal audit procedures for projects and partnerships to maintain a state of inspection preparedness, both internally and externally.
Monitors overall progress of quality assurance program through gathering relevant data and reports to ensure expectations are met according to established criteria.
Research Support

Assist with maintenance of research project(s) policies and procedures with input from SMHC research teams.
Monitor and document all research steps and ensures delivery compliance for partnerships and programs.
Apply advanced knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative methodologies as a collaborative across various projects within the SMHC to enhance overall data integrity.
Assist with grant proposals, publishing, and generating external funding to fund additional center activities.
Use effective communication skills in collaboration with SMHC team and to disseminate research to broader audiences via presentations, workshops, etc.
Minimum Qualifications:
Masters degree in Public Health, Statistics, Program Evaluation, or School Psychology. 2 years of work experiences post graduation working with public schools

Preferred Qualifiations:

School-based research experiences or has been involved in research grants is preferred.