Principal Research Associate -Technical Assistance-Behavioral Health

MD - Rockville

26996BR

Job Description

Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.

Westat has an immediate opening for a Principal Research Associate - Technical Assistance (TA) Lead to join our behavioral health and health policy team. In this role you will work on and guide federal behavioral health initiatives focused on mental health and substance use prevention and treatment technical assistance and training (TAT). You will lead proposal development for new opportunities relevant to behavioral health and work on existing federal contracts.

In this highly collaborative role, you will use your experience with federal TAT contracts to work closely with Westat leadership and multi-disciplinary project teams to lead, develop, and manage training and TA activities focused on improving lives across the lifespan. Expertise in, and experience providing, evidence-based TAT models and techniques is essential for this position.

This is a U.S. based full-time position with flexibility for remote or hybrid work arrangements.

Job Responsibilities:
* Lead a team that will develop and manage training and technical assistance activities.
* Direct implementation of TAT activities for diverse audiences.
* Apply content knowledge of behavioral health (e.g., evidence-based practices, workforce development, data-informed quality improvement, education and behavioral health policy, financing of behavioral health services) to manage remote and/or onsite technical assistance.
* Collaborate with team members to develop project plans, communicate project status updates, and execute project goals and timelines.
* Collaborate with staff to co-create and maintain a fully accessible and responsive TA website with an online repository of resources and products.
* Manage dissemination of TA resources.
* Manage and direct junior staff.
* Lead/participate in proposal writing and other business development activities.

Basic Qualifications:
* A Ph.D. in social sciences (e.g., psychology, social work, public health) with 5 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree in the social sciences with at least 8 years of relevant experience.
* Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of a range of technical assistance and training activities with diverse audiences.
* Content knowledge in wellness, mental health and/or substance use prevention and treatment.
* Experience in leadership positions on federal task orders, grants and/or contracts.
* Knowledge regarding TAT quality measures and measuring outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience in federal proposal writing
* Experience with report writing and the development of plain language TA related products for multiple audiences.
* Experience managing federal projects.
* Experience coaching and managing individuals or teams.

Other Required Qualifications:
* Demonstrated communication skills.
* Collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients
* Organization skills, including time management ability.
* Detail oriented.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
• Sick Leave (10 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays per year)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

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.

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SAMHSA

Career Area

Research

Pay Range

The anticipated salary range is 110k-175k and will be commensurate with experience.

Bonus Eligibility

Yes