THE ORGANIZATION
TRAILS (Transforming Research into Action to Improve the Lives of Students) is a growing team of innovative thinkers committed to youth mental health. We partner with schools throughout Michigan and in a number of other settings nationwide, providing school staff with the training, materials, and implementation support they need to deliver effective mental health programming to their students. Our program was designed and developed by expert child mental health clinicians in collaboration with health and education researchers, educators, and school leaders. Our model was built specifically for the school setting, and is grounded in evidence-based cognitive behavioral and mindfulness practices. As we work to make effective mental health services available to all students, priority is given to schools that are under-resourced or that serve historically excluded populations. Our staff are dedicated to a vision of health and health care equity for all, and as TRAILS expands, we are seeking individuals who practice cultural humility, and who thrive in and contribute to an inclusive working environment.
TRAILS’ 3-TIERED MODEL
The foundation for the TRAILS clinical program is based on cognitive behavioral therapies, implementation science, and culturally responsible programming. The model is also aligned with the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework common within the educational setting. Currently, TRAILS equips schools to offer three tiers of programming: Tier 1: Universal Education and Awareness, Social and Emotional Learning Program, Tier 2: Early Intervention, CBT and Mindfulness Skills and Coping with COVID-19 Programs, and Tier 3: Crisis Intervention, Suicide Prevention and Risk Management Program. The main goal for the clinical team is to support the implementation of TRAILS clinical programming by delivering trainings to school staff, developing materials and resources adequate for our partners and the settings in which they work, and providing implementation support (e.g., coaching).
THE ROLE
TRAILS is seeking a Data Manager to support program evaluation of TRAILS’ multi-tiered mental health interventions in K-12 schools. The Data Manager will directly support the TRAILS Evaluation Director and growing Evaluation team by overseeing our evaluation data operations. The Data Manager will develop and maintain data processing and reporting workflows, conduct statistical analyses, and supervise a small team of Data Analysts. TRAILS evaluation data includes survey data from students and staff, mental health data from students, administrative data, and publicly available data. TRAILS analysis and reporting ranges from descriptive work for stakeholders to advanced evaluation and statistical methods (e.g., RCTs, measurement analysis) published in peer-reviewed journals, all of which must be performed at a high level of data reproducibility and rigor across reporting formats. The Data Manager will be responsible for building out TRAILS’ capacity for automated reporting. The Data Manager will play a critical role in maintaining data integrity and good data stewardship through their data collection, processing, and analysis, while ensuring that methods are culturally responsible, equitable, fair, replicable, and rigorous.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES
Systems Management (30%)
- Collaborate directly with the Evaluation Director to establish, maintain, evaluate, and continually improve processes, best practices, protocols, procedures, systems, and tools for working with data (e.g., workflows, R functions, templates)
- Maintenance and development of processes include: code programming to clean and manage data; critically evaluate data processes with regard to replicability, rigor, efficiency, and equity; and quality assurance with adaptability to internal and external audiences and/or stakeholders
- Collaborate directly with the Evaluation Director, Evaluation Manager, and full Evaluation Team as needed to develop and maintain standard reporting procedures
- Ensure the secure handling and disposition of sensitive data while simultaneously developing and contributing to sensitive data best practices
- Co-lead the creation and introduction of new data integrity practices and improve existing ones already in place; both of which support key decision-making
People Management (25%)
- Supervise and support a small team of TRAILS Evaluation Team Data Analysts
- Develop and deliver team training on data processing, management, and analysis methods based on collaboratively decided priorities
- Support the build-out of team member performance metrics
Program Evaluation Data Collection, Management, and Analysis (25%)
- Oversee the collection, processing, and analysis of a wide range of TRAILS program evaluation data
- Data includes survey data from students and staff, mental health data from students, administrative data, and publicly available data.
- Analysis and reporting ranges from descriptive work for stakeholders to advanced evaluation and statistical methods (e.g., RCTs, measurement analysis) published in peer-reviewed journals
- Lead development of automated data processing and reporting
- High level of data reproducibility, rigor, and efficiency is required
- Provide support to evaluation and research teams on project design and interpretation of research results
- Assist in writing data analysis methods and results for use in reports, manuscripts, and presentations to internal and external stakeholders in collaboration with the Evaluation Director
- Develop data visualizations and graphics to facilitate communication with a wide range of audiences
- Develop lines of analysis that inform TRAILS programming
- Process and organize TRAILS’ historical data
- Maintain an active pulse of emerging best practices in data management
Team Responsibilities (20%)
- Provide mentorship and technical assistance to TRAILS staff in implementing data processing, management, and reporting systems
- Collaborate with technology innovations and implementation teams on internal program tracking, shared survey projects, and other relevant projects
- Attend all staff meetings and retreats, workgroups, and other relevant TRAILS meetings as necessary
- Support TRAILS team with all hands-on deck events as needed and other team initiatives
THE PERSON
Our experience suggests that the following types of professional experiences lend themselves to this work:
- At least 5 years of full-time professional work experience including:
- 5+ years experience with building and maintaining data management systems
- 5+ years experience conducting rigorous statistical programming
- 4+ years experience with evaluation and research data lifecycles, from collection to archiving or disposition
- 2+ years experience with data visualization and graphics
- 2+ years of people management experience within a technical role; experience successfully supervising junior data analysts is preferred
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical topics to non-technical colleagues
- Demonstrated track record of independently analyzing, interpreting, and communicating diverse data sets
- Exhibits a solid foundation in statistical theory and application, and has an enthusiasm to learn and apply new methods
- Experience working at a human services program or agency, school district, child welfare agency, state or federal government, or foundations is desirable
Our experience suggests that the following types of skills lend themselves well to this work:
- Proficiency with independently conducting statistical analyses using coding (excellent proficiency in R is required) as opposed to point-and-click
- Proficiency with Google Suite, Qualtrics, and Microsoft Office
- Experience building and maintaining data management systems (including merging data files, identifying and correcting problems, and producing files for final analysis)
- Experience automating data processing, management, and reporting processes
- Proficient technical writing skills for documenting database structure as well as survey and data analysis procedures
EDUCATION
Our experience suggests the following certifications and degree(s) lend themselves well to this work:
- Advanced degree (e.g, Masters) in statistics, public policy, computer programming, or relevant field
- Advanced training in statistics and database management
- Experience with and/or commitment to engaging with equity in data projects
- Applicable experience/competencies may be considered in lieu of formal education
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this role is $99,000 to $110,000 annually.
TRAILS offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision as well as a 403B with a safe harbor match and short and long-term disability. We offer a generous holiday and paid time off package.
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION
Addressing inequities in access to evidence-based mental health care is intrinsic to the TRAILS mission. The intentionality behind this approach is woven into everything we do at TRAILS, resulting in a staff-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for all facets of our program. If this commitment is something to which you could positively contribute, we encourage you to apply, particularly if your voice represents a historically excluded perspective.
TRAILS, a project of Tides Center, is an “at-will” and equal opportunity employer. Applicants and employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender (including pregnancy and gender expression) identity, color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance.
APPLICATION NOTES
- Our job descriptions reflect TRAILS’ assignment of essential functions and qualifications of the role. Nothing herein restricts management's right to assign, reassign or eliminate duties and responsibilities to this role at any time.
- We are only considering applicants who are legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Please note that all TRAILS employees are required to undergo a background check as performed by our fiscal sponsor, Tides Center. Findings do not automatically exclude candidates from the hiring process, but will be taken into consideration.
- Successful applicants for this position must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
