Social Worker (Casual Nonexempt)

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Minnesota Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study team is seeking a part-time (5-10 hours/ week) social worker (Research Professional Level 3) to support the HBCD study. The study team is led by the Principal Investigators Drs. Sylia Wilson (Institute of Child Development), Anna Zilverstand (Department of Psychiatry) and Michael Georgieff (Department of Pediatrics).

The HBCD study is a NIH-funded national landmark study on the long-term effects of perinatal substance use exposure and other risk and protective factors on infant and child development (https://hbcdstudy.org/). This study will include 7000 women nationally (~250 in Minnesota) from various backgrounds, to investigate the brain development, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional function beginning in the perinatal period, and extending through childhood until age 10 of the children.

The social worker will be responsible for outreach and retention efforts for the HBCD study, and work with the study assessment team and a certified peer recovery navigator with past lived experience of Substance Use Disorder to support study participants.

Retention & Support of Study Participants
* Developing and implementing a plan for retention strategies - current strategies include 1) individual check-ins with families between and at study visits, 2) referrals to services/resources as needed, 3) personalized one-on-one support as needed, 4) monthly drop-in group for study participants, 5) phone "warm-line" for study participants, 6) community building and educational events, 7) yearly event for study participants, 8) study website and newsletter, 9) compensation, 10) non-monetary incentives.
* Establishing and maintaining a current catalog of local and regional resources and referrals that can be offered to participants as they request or desire, such as how and where to access assistance with substance use treatment, mental and physical health care, housing, food supplies, etc.
* Providing personalized one-on-one support to study participants. The study team includes a certified peer recovery navigator with past lived experiences of Substance Use Disorder. Together with the peer recovery navigator, you will check in with study participants during and in-between study visits to answer questions and provide resources/referrals for study participants as needed.
* Contacting study participants in case of a clinically significant incidental finding, providing the appropriate referral information (in consultation with the clinicians from the study team).
* Leading a monthly drop-in group for study participants and providing a "warm-line" by phone that can be contacted by study participants during business hours for questions and support.
* Organizing, overseeing, participating in and leading events aimed at retaining study participants, for example:
- Community events hosted by the University and/or collaborating community organizations around different topics such as for example the goals of the study, the achieved study milestones, and resources available for participating families and beyond.
- Educational events at the University of Minnesota and/or collaborating community organizations, led by researchers or collaborators that are organized around topics that are relevant to young families such as for example breastfeeding, infant care, perinatal depression, child development, parenting & healthy relationships.
* Monitoring the study communication channels, supervising students who prepare a study newsletter, and/or send out cards and non-monetary incentives to study participants.
* Developing a plan and purchasing items for non-monetary compensation of study participants, such as diapers, or infant clothing.
* Co-managing our social media accounts.
* Participate in meetings with the principal investigators and study assessment team.
* Participate in meetings of the local HBCD Community Advisory Board, which will consist of community members and health care providers, and will consult the study team on the implementation of the protocol, inform targeted recruitment and retention efforts, identify priorities and needs of partner communities, and perform community outreach.

Required Qualifications:
* Master in Social Work (MSW), Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Counseling, or similar qualification from an accredited college or university with related experience
* Prior professional experience with providing personalized one-on-one support
* Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills (verbal, listening and writing) and ability to establish and maintain positive rapport with clients and professionals
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and as a part of a team
* Ability to work on-site at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB), Institute of Child Development (ICD), Department of Psychiatry, and/or Department of Psychology in Elliott Hall
* Ability to work 1-3 weeknights or weekend days per week, depending on study phase
* Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office based software
* Able to work 5-10 hours per week

Preferred Qualifications:
* Prior professional experience with research with human subjects
* Prior professional experience with community outreach
* Prior professional experience working with mothers and/or families with infants and/or young children
* Prior professional experience working with women with substance use disorder and mental illness
* A valid Minnesota driver's license and access to a vehicle with insurance coverage to travel to recruitment clinics and community events (mileage will be reimbursed)

This position is located in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences.

Pay Range: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

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

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.