Job ID359320 LocationTwin Cities Job FamilyResearch-Researchers Full/Part TimeFull-Time Regular/TemporaryRegular Job Code9742R6 Employee ClassAcad Prof and Admin About the Job Working Title:Health and Nutrition Applied Research and Evaluation Specialist Appointment:Full-time, Researcher 6 (Job code 9742R6), annually renewable Extension Area:Department for Family, Health and Wellbeing Salary Range:$65,000 - $75,000 estimated salary; Depending on qualifications. Benefits:Full University of Minnesota Office Location:St. Paul Campus; Hybrid work options may be available Apply By: February 1, 2024 ABOUT THIS POSITION The Extension Center for Family, Health and Wellbeing is seeking a Health and Nutrition Researcher 6 for its Applied Research and Evaluation Unit, which has dual responsibilities of conducting applied research and evaluation of various programs offered through the Health and Nutrition program area programs and projects. This position will conduct research and evaluation, data analysis, write and disseminate reports of findings. The incumbent of this position will support, conduct, analyze, and report on research that examines elements of the current food environment across Minnesota. Additionally, this person will provide evaluation support to existing signature programs within Health and Nutrition. This person will specifically develop and execute evaluation plans and data collection instruments to collect information on existing food systems, access to healthy foods, program delivery, and cultural relevance of curricula being delivered in childcare settings, schools, healthcare settings, community settings, and proximities. The research will also include developing novel approaches to gauging community readiness and community capacity to create changes in the food environment. General support of Family, Health and Wellbeing will include developing evaluation plans for Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change, Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and Place-based approach (PBA) programs. This position works in cooperation with other members of the Applied Research and Evaluation Unit, as well as campus-based and community-based educators within the University of Minnesota Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing. This is a full-time position reporting to the Director of Program Development and Evaluation. While statewide travel will happen occasionally, this position is housed on the St. Paul campus, and will have some options for hybrid work. The appointment is reviewed for renewal annually, with continuation dependent on performance, results, availability of county funds, and program needs. Health and Nutrition (H&N) in Extension's Department for Family, Health and Wellbeing is a statewide program that provides community-based nutrition education programming in all Minnesota counties. The Health and Nutrition program implements the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education (SNAP- Ed) program and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), as well as other H&N- related educational programs. Healthy food access, food literacy, obesity prevention, and increased physical activity continue to be identified as key components for prevention of obesity and other nutrition-related chronic diseases. Extension's statewide reach, centralized structure, and capacity for programming across the Spectrum of Prevention, including policy, systems, and environmental approaches (PSE), and Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) project, and Place-Based Approaches (PBA), position us well for consistent support and programming for Minnesotans. For more information on Health and Nutrition programs, visit. RESPONSIBILITIES Provide Evaluation Leadership to Statewide SNAP-Ed (25%) Provide leadership around SNAP-Ed research and evaluation. Conduct ongoing evaluation plan, implementation, and report meetings for statewide SNAP-Ed. Provide evaluation support and assistance to SNAP-Ed leadership and SNAP-Ed funded educators, external partners, and communities as an evaluation expert. Prepare and write the annual SNAP-Ed evaluation report, the National Program Evaluation and Reporting System (N-PEARS) report, SNAP-Ed quarterly report, SNAP-Ed managerial evaluation report, and the SNAP-Ed 2-year plan and the amendment of the plan for the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the United States Department of Agriculture. Study specific evaluation goals of SNAP-Ed annual plan and SNAP-Ed 2-year plan. Become familiar with the evaluation measurements and outcomes/endpoints. Act as a project leader and interact/coordinate with similar evaluation projects. Meet with SNAP-Ed leadership, regional coordinators, and team leads for incorporating SNAP-Ed core values (equity, holistic health, community-centered, and relationship-driven) into evaluation practices. Instruct and supervise new personnel in various evaluation skills, techniques, and data collection and reporting systems. Supervise undergraduate and graduate students to assist in preparation and performance of evaluation projects. Modifies practices and procedures to improve evaluation quality and efficacy; search for better ways to effectively conduct evaluation projects for statewide SNAP-Ed. Facilitate the Advancement of Scholarly Publications and Presentations (30%) Compile existing data, findings in the literature, national presentations, and resources to build a cohesive story about the value of H&N programming. Write and edit novel journal articles and deliver conference presentations that demonstrate program effectiveness and successes that contribute to H&N programs' scholarly and professional presence. Communicate the program evaluation findings, evaluation techniques and methods with the national SNAP-Ed meetings and Public Health meetings as a presenter and/or a committee member. SNAP-Ed Evaluation Design and Analysis (20%) Create and apply innovative evaluation methods and tools for Health and Nutrition programs including direct education, PSE, CBPR, and PBA efforts. Meet with collaborators to develop, optimize, and utilize the evaluation design and plan on various evaluation methods, techniques, technologies, instruments, equipment, and devices to achieve program objectives. Lead Statewide Food Shelf Survey design, data collection, analysis and reporting, in collaboration with hunger relief and internal partners. Conduct ongoing data analysis using data collected from direct education courses, PSE efforts, CBPR projects, and PBA projects from the database and other data collection tools. Interpret complex quantitative and qualitative data and advise educators on evaluation and research techniques, procedures, and results. Communicate various program evaluation project reports with leadership, educators, external stakeholders, and community members using creative data visualization technologies. Evaluation Capacity Building and Ongoing Customer Services (15%) Provide ongoing consultation to educators, teams, and partners for various program evaluation projects and evaluation techniques. Compile and create existing... For full info follow application link. The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.