Research Scientist IV Grade 27 Salary: $101,809 - $121,484 The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. is seeking to fill one (1) full-time Research Scientist IV position with the Office of Mental Health, Division of Forensic Services (DFS) in New York State. DFS is responsible for managing, directing, overseeing and monitoring State mental health services to individuals involved with the criminal justice system, including: individuals with mental illness who are receiving inpatient, outpat... more details
Research Scientist IV
Grade 27
Salary: $101,809 - $121,484
The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. is seeking to fill one (1) full-time Research Scientist IV position with the Office of Mental Health, Division of Forensic Services (DFS) in New York State.
DFS is responsible for managing, directing, overseeing and monitoring State mental health services to individuals involved with the criminal justice system, including: individuals with mental illness who are receiving inpatient, outpatient or community based services pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) and Correction Law (CL); and people convicted of sexual offenses who are found to have a mental abnormality and are confined to an OMH secure treatment facility, or released to strict and intensive community supervision and treatment (SIST), in accordance with Article 10 of the Mental Hygiene Law (MHL).
The Forensic Evaluation Research Unit works to assist the bureaus within DFS by empirically evaluating current programs and policies, to identify which programs and policies are working well and which require modification; using empirical data to guide the development and implementation of new programs and policies; keeping current on best practices within the field, then offering suggestions and trainings in line with those best practices; and coordinating research efforts between DFS and other agencies and/or divisions. DFS's Evaluation Research Unit offers assistance in all aspects of DFS functioning, from intake screening to discharge recommendations, and for all populations served by DFS.
A successful candidate will have strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, relational and multidimensional data modeling skills, and the capability of working both independently and as a member of a team (both in-person and remotely). The ability to think creatively and strategically - to lead or work with staff to integrate data from multiple disciplines including Medicaid, computerized criminal histories, mental health, and other sources - is an asset.
This position allows a Hybrid Remote work schedule (up to 50%).
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Research Scientist V, this position will:
- Investigate sexual recidivism rates for (a) individuals screened out for civil management, (b) individuals placed on SIST, and (c) individuals after they have been discharged from SIST.
- Periodic validation of the monthly risk scoring protocol and revision to the algorithm, if needed
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the OMH Prison-Based Sex Offender Treatment Program
- Request and coordinate receipt of criminal history data from DCJS for both operational purposes and program evaluation
- Perform empirical analyses to better understand the impact of DFS Article 10 implementation.
- Assess outcomes related to individuals court ordered to SIST.
- Prepare research reports on best practices related to the assessment, treatment, and management of people who sexually offend; present the contents of those reports (both in-person and virtually)
- Assess the statistical methods and procedures used to determine best practices, to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy of DFS processes and programs.
- Provide consultation to DFS Psychiatric Examiners on best practices and responses to specific articles.
- Perform univariate and multivariate statistical analyses of data.
- Analyze and interpret statistical results.
- Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
- Supervision of other staff
Minimum Requirement:
- A Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in psychology, criminal justice, public health, or related field and at least three (3) years of full-time experience in a research capacity or academic post in the appropriate field of specialization; or
- A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in psychology, criminal justice, public health, or related field and four (4) years of full-time work experience in a research capacity or academic post in the appropriate field of specialization; or
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in psychology, criminal justice, public health, or related field and at least five (5) years of full-time experience in a research capacity or academic post in the appropriate field of specialization; and
- A valid Driver's License
Preferred Experience/Skills:
- Ability to conceptualize and execute a complete quantitative analysis:
- Evaluate available data sources and develop an appropriate analytic plan;
- Clean and prep large sets of data for analysis (e.g., manipulating and combining data files often from different sources and often containing different levels of data, data cleaning, variable construction);
- Identify appropriate empirical analyses (univariate and multivariate), then carry out and interpret the results of those analyses; and
- Build tables and charts to display results of the analyses.
- Experience conducting reviews of scientific literature, scientific writing, publications, and presentations.
- Experience with the mental health system and criminal justice programs
- Proficiency in the use of SPSS (or other statistical analysis software), standard office technology, and Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, Access, Visio, and PowerPoint
- Experience structuring and executing data extractions from data management systems
- Experience using Tableau, Power BI, and SQL
Travel: Minimal, but occasional travel may be required.
Work Location: Hudson River Field Office, 10 Ross Circle, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
To Apply: Submit an application through our website at https://rfmh.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please note only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
The Mission of the Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc. (RFMH) is to promote the mental health of all New Yorkers, with a focus on providing hope and supporting recovery for adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbances. Applicants with lived mental health experience are encouraged to apply. RFMH is deeply committed to supporting underserved individuals, organizations, and communities. To this end, RFMH is focused on implementing activities and initiatives to reduce disparities in access, quality, and treatment outcomes for underserved populations. A critical component of these efforts is ensuring that RFMH is a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees' unique attributes and skills are valued and utilized to support the mission of the Agency. RFMH is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
The Research Foundation is a private not-for-profit corporation and is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Employer/Minority/Women/Disabled/Veteran Employer. VEVRAA 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.
State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. Excellent Benefits Package. Employer/Minority/Women/Disabled/Veteran Employer. VEVRAA 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) compliant.
