MEPS – Field Interviewer

Westat is currently seeking motivated and detail-oriented individuals in Bergen County to work as field interviewers for the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a continuing, national study of healthcare costs and usage in the United States.

MEPS, a continuing study since 1996, is sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a part of the Department of Health and Human Services. MEPS Field Interviewers conduct computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI), in person, using a Westat-provided laptop computer with adult members of households that are part of a nationally representative sample. When approved by their supervisor, field interviewers may conduct in-person, computer-assisted video interviews (CAVI) by telephone with some households. Field interviewers are responsible for contacting these households in-person and/or by phone to gain cooperation—setting appointments, conducting interviews using a Westat-provided laptop computer, and collecting MEPS-related electronically signed and/or hard-copy documents. Field interviewers report regularly to a field supervisor, complete and submit administrative paperwork, and comply with data security and confidentiality requirements.

Interested in more information about MEPS? Click here.

Westat has a long-standing policy to protect the health of our staff and the general public. Based on recommendations from the CDC and other public health authorities, we continue to require staff to protect and monitor their health while working on their assignment. The use of personal protective equipment or screening activities may be required, depending upon the specific study’s protocols, subject to approved accommodations under applicable law.

Basic Qualifications:
Candidates must:

• Be 18 or older (or an emancipated minor) with the ability to enter binding confidentiality agreements to protect project information;
• Be available to complete a web-based home study training, including a Zoom session, prior to the in-person training program.
• Be available to travel on January 17, 2024, and complete a 5½ day, in-person training that begins on January 18 and ends on January 23, 2024.
• Be available to complete additional web-based and virtual training activities following the in-person training, including a post-training home study between January 24 and January 29, 2024; a practice CAVI interview between January 29 and February 2, 2024; and a 2-day virtual training from February 22 to February 23, 2024, or February 26 to February 27, 2024.

Minimum Requirements:

• Reside in and travel to the geographic location determined by the project to contact the households in your assignment and to conduct in-person interviews;
• Starting immediately after training, be available to work for the specified data collection period beginning in early February 2024 with a potential of work through July 2027;
• Be available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week when work is available, including daytime, evening, and weekend hours, based on the preferences of the households in your assignment, and be able to complete a minimum of four interviews per week until the assignment is complete.
• Be willing to travel locally for project work, with a possibility of some overnight travel as needed;
• Be able to meet the physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations:
  • Lift and carry 20 pounds of equipment and materials;
  • Walk several blocks; and
  • Climb stairs while carrying equipment to gain entry to sampled households;
• Have regular and reliable access to a vehicle insured under your name; and
• Have a valid (current) driver’s license that is not under suspension.

Preferred Criteria

• Have CAPI and/or CAVI experience.
• Have public contact and/or cold-calling experience; and
• Be comfortable working in unfamiliar locations, knocking on doors, and communicating with people from all kinds of backgrounds and socioeconomic groups.

People who are bilingual (English/Spanish) are encouraged to apply.

MS Teams or Zoom may be used to conduct interviews with candidates for this position.

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history.

This is a part-time variable hour, non-exempt position. This position is eligible for overtime pay. This position is not initially eligible for health insurance.

This federal government project is subject to the Service Contract Act (SCA). The hourly rate for this position is determined by the location where the work is performed. In addition to hourly pay, a health and welfare payment of $4.57, which may be reduced based on group benefit election, will be paid weekly for up to 40 work hours per week. This position is eligible for paid vacation and holiday leave based on hours worked.

All field positions accrue sick leave (based on hours worked) and are eligible to participate in the 401(k) program (employer matching is dependent on hours worked and disbursement is subject to program rules). While working in the field, field interviewers are reimbursed for their travel time and mileage, and they receive paid training.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be eligible for consideration for reassignment on other Westat field data collection projects if they become available.

Working on this study can be a fascinating, rewarding experience. If you are a reliable self-starter, this position may be right for you.

Westat is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.