James Bell Associates (JBA) is a nationally recognized program evaluation and applied research firm specializing in evaluations of health and social service programs and capacity building technical assistance (TA). Its mission is to improve the lives of children, families, and communities through evaluation. JBA projects cross disciplines with an emphasis on child welfare, child and family development, tribal evaluation, and health care. Clients include federal, state, tribal, and local governments as well as universities, foundations, and nonprofits.

JBA is currently seeking a full-time senior research associate/deputy director to join the Child Welfare practice area. This position is contingent upon contract award. This staff member will support a major federal child welfare project by managing day-to-day activities related to two federal review processes—one that assesses the quality of services and outcomes for children and families and the other that ensures compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements for foster care funding. The successful candidate will oversee project activities to administer the review processes, training activities, and the provision of technical assistance as it relates to participating in the reviews. An ideal candidate should be experienced in the field of child welfare and should be able to successfully demonstrate strong knowledge and expertise with Child and Family Services Reviews and Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews. Experience with federally mandated review processes will be very helpful.

This is a remote position with travel required. The salary range is from $90,000 to $120,000, dependent on experience. JBA offers a generous benefits package that includes health care coverage, a 401(K)-matching plan, and profit sharing.

JBA seeks to create a workforce where all staff have opportunities to advance and thrive. We value a work culture with staff from all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and experiences. JBA is an equal opportunity employer.

Responsibilities

• Participate in teams, work collaboratively with colleagues to develop and deliver training to jurisdictions participating in the Child and Family Services Reviews and Title IV-E Reviews.
• Provide in-person training on instruments, a case review system, roles and responsibilities of reviewers, and activities to take place during the review week.
• Manage the activities of review teams, including consultants, who will travel onsite to conduct the federal reviews.
• Revise content for protocols, instruments and resources as needed and support federal staff in their implementation of these protocols and application of instruments and resources.
• Author technical memos, TA tools, issue briefs, webinar presentations, and reports.
• Contribute to company’s business development activities, including generating ideas and responding to requests for proposals (RFPs)

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a master’s degree with 7+ years of experience child or human development, social work, family studies, education, psychology, or a related field
• Knowledge and professional experience in child welfare
• Knowledge, understanding, and demonstrated expertise in child welfare policy and practice; system and program improvements; adult-learning and education; and in-depth understanding of federal laws, regulations, policies and requirements that guide the Child and Family Services Review and Title IV-E processes.
• Experience developing guidance documents, training materials, and procedures manuals.
• Experience managing a team of staff and consultants.
• Strong, effective written communication skills, including technical writing and use of plain language.
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Ability to work effectively as an individual as well as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail; flexibility to lead and manage multiple priorities, sometimes simultaneously, under deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Child and Family Services Reviews and Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews
• Demonstrated experience with federally mandated reviews.
• Task management experience and report writing

About James Bell Associates, Inc.

James Bell Associates (JBA) is a nationally recognized program evaluation and applied research firm specializing in evaluations of health and social service programs and capacity building technical assistance (TA). Our mission is to improve the lives of children, families, and communities through evaluation. JBA projects cross disciplines with an emphasis on child welfare, child and family development, tribal evaluation, and health care. Clients include federal, state, tribal, and local governments as well as universities, foundations, and nonprofits.

Connections working at James Bell Associates, Inc.