Human Services Researcher

About Mathematica:

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development.

Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company's growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength.

Read more about our benefits here:
Benefits at a Glance.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Currently, we are looking for researchers to join our
vibrant and growing Human Services department. This position supports project
teams within the department and across the company in the planning and
execution of projects for clients such as, the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, state and local agencies, and Foundations and nonprofits.
Mathematica is seeking researchers who are excited to solve complex policy and
programmatic challenges in ways that are evidence- and data-driven, and who can
agilely adapt to an evolving policy and technology landscape. The role includes
providing technical assistance focused on evaluation and program improvement to
organizations serving families, youth, and adults; designing and carrying out
research and evaluation, advising on strategy and policy, and linking and using
data to answer complex policy-relevant questions. This role is primarily
focused on programs designed to improve child welfare related outcomes for
children and families. We will consider candidates with substantive expertise
in a range of human services programs and policies, including child welfare,
TANF, employment, early childhood, family strengthening, economic mobility, and
related topics.

The type of work we do includes activities such as:

• Providing
  evaluation technical assistance to help grantees maintain high-quality
  impact and descriptive study designs and develop clear, and specific
  performance measures.
• Improving
  child welfare outcomes for children and families, with an emphasis on
  strategies to increase permanency and enhance the safety of children who
  are at risk of out-of-home placements.
• Using
  predictive analytics to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Conducting
  systematic reviews to determine the effectiveness of interventions,
  programs, and policies, and practices across a range of populations and
  policy areas.
• Building
  evidence around effective strategies for helping individuals with low
  incomes find and sustain employment.
• Evaluating
  and providing technical assistance to states implementing TANF Pilots.
• Evaluating
  and supporting competency-based professional development approaches for
  the infant and toddler workforce.
• Enhancing
  and supporting the data analytic capacity of state child welfare and
  Medicaid agencies to improve the delivery of services.
• Designing
  and implementing a nationally representative study of supports for family
  stability in Head Start.
• Advising
  workforce development programs and state TANF agencies on evidence-based
  ways to increase program engagement and learn, innovate, and improve.
• Evaluating
  programs that provide coaching for populations with barriers to
  employment.

Duties may include:

• Providing
  technical assistance to programs serving youth and families to build
  evaluation capacity, use data, support continuous quality improvement, or
  engage in rapid cycle evaluation.
• Learning
  and applying new methods, tools, and technologies, including AI-enabled
  tools, data visualization platforms, and emerging analytic approaches.
• Designing
  rigorous mixed-methods evaluations, including primary and secondary data
  collection.
• Assessing
  the strength of study designs and summarizing large and diverse sets of
  existing research through systematic evidence reviews and meta-analyses.
• Applying
  innovative research approaches and advanced statistical methods to answer
  policy-relevant questions.
• Working
  with data scientists to link and analyze administrative data.
• Guiding
  program staff and policymakers in the use of evidence to make decisions
  about program selection and adaptation.
• Synthesizing
  and presenting data in accessible formats for a variety of audiences,
  including writing briefs, reports, blogs, and articles; and developing
  interactive data dashboard and visualizations.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D.
  or Masters with equivalent experience in public policy, social work,
  sociology, psychology, education, economics, statistics, data science/data
  analytics, demography, or a related field.
• Candidates
  with evidence of strong quantitative research skills will be prioritized. This
  includes experience with research design and analysis of primary,
  secondary, administrative, or survey data; current certification with What
  Works Clearinghouse evidence standards and knowledge of Prevention
  Services Clearinghouse evidence standards; mixed-methods experience is
  also valued.
• Excellent
  written and oral communication skills, including an ability to translate
  complex research methods and findings for a practitioner and policy
  audience.
• Willingness
  to learn and apply new techniques or technology, including AI.
• Demonstrated
  ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and contribute
  flexibly.

Preferred
Qualifications:

• Experience directly providing evaluation technical assistance to federal grant recipients.
• Experience with, or knowledge of, large-scale federal and/or other administrative data sets.

A cover letter, CV, and writing sample or job market paper
must be submitted at the time of application via our online application system.

This position offers an anticipated base salary of $100,000 - $135,000 annually.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

At Mathematica, we understand the importance of building relationships with colleagues. If you're not located near one of our offices but would like opportunities to meet up with co-workers, we offer coworking spaces where available. Ask your Talent Acquisition partner for more information about this opportunity and whether it's an option in your area.

Any offer of employment will be contingent upon passing a background check. Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo security clearance as a condition of working on the project. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance. Additionally, if you participate in or complete the application process and are denied, Mathematica may choose to terminate your employment.

We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems and to share the responsibility and enjoyment of carrying out complex projects. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high-quality work.