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 is seeking a Principal Research Associate to direct large- and small-scale survey data collection projects within the Social Policy and Economics Research practice area. Our work supports a range of federal, state, and nonprofit clients. You will lead work across topic areas such as food and nutrition, labor and workforce, and social services research, managing the day-to-day activities of all phases of data collection tasks and/or projects including study design, questionnaire development, field testing, interviewer training, survey design, implementation, data file preparation, and analysis. Data collection efforts which may involve administering surveys, interviews, site visits, observation protocols, and/or acquiring administrative data. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience managing survey projects of varying sizes and modes and bring expertise in survey design and methods.
This position is eligible for a U.S. based remote work arrangement.
Job Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with researchers, programmers, statisticians, and operations staff to develop and implement survey research designs applying best practices
• Design and test instruments and protocols, develop recruitment materials, and develop and coordinate interviewer trainings
• Oversee data collection activities in multiple modes (phone, web, field, and mail) across a range of populations
• Conduct and oversee data quality reviews and data file preparation; participate in data analysis and report writing
• Develop and maintain effective client relationships
• Lead and participate in business development activities including proposal development
Basic Qualifications:
• Master’s degree in social science or related field and 8 years of relevant experience, or a Ph.D. in social science or related field and 5 years of relevant experience
• Experience conducting research that applies data collection, analysis, and reporting using quantitative techniques, including experience implementing procedures for data collection and analysis in multiple modes
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience managing federal contracts budgets, schedules, and project teams
• Experience managing client relationships
• Experience managing a project team
• Ability to conduct multiple tasks with competing timelines, communicate effectively and constructively with teams, and ensure tasks and projects are completed on time and meet or exceed clients’ expectations.
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)
- 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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