Maryland Works Jobs

26870BR

Job Title:

Research Analyst

Location:

MD - Rockville

Job Description:

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 has a new opportunity for a Research Analyst – Technical Assistance and Policy. This position involves working with a diverse team of research, education, and policy experts. Our mission is to improve peoples’ lives through better policy, improved programs, and meaningful research. We work with Federal and State agencies responsible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This position will include policy work, such as legislative or regulatory research and analysis, and data collection and analysis for social policy research. Excellent written communication, presentation skills, and strong organization are essential to the role.

A hybrid work arrangement with 1-2 days on-site at a Westat office location is preferred, remote work arrangements will be considered.

Job Responsibilities:

• Work with experts to analyze the policy and operations of safety net programs, and make recommendations to federal, state, and local administrators.

• Develop project schedules and manage all aspects of project collaboration, both internal and client-facing. Schedule client meetings and take detailed meeting notes.

• Collect, consolidate, and analyze programmatic data. Research statutes, regulations, and policy guidance to examine emerging policy issues.

• Draft reports, presentations, policy briefs, and toolkits to help agencies improve policy implementation. Work with a team to ensure written deliverables are high quality.

• Facilitate workgroups that bring together diverse, interested groups to collaborate on policy and implementation. Support virtual and in-person policy trainings, technical assistance, and data collection. (This may involve occasional travel.)

• Work independently and with teams to manage multiple overlapping deadlines. Ensure project activities are completed in an accurate and timely manner.

• Primarily support projects related to poverty reduction and nutrition assistance programs; potentially support other initiatives across practice areas.

• Other responsibilities as required.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master degree in public policy, law, sociology, social work, education, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree and 2–5 years’ work experience in social policy, research, or programs for a government agency, nonprofit, research, or consulting organization

• Working knowledge and understanding of public assistance programs to help low-income populations

• Background and interest in public policy and improving the way social safety net programs are operationalized

• Experience using Microsoft office applications

• A writing sample is required with your resume and application. This should be a product in which you are the primary or sole author, written relatively recently and including policy analysis. It could be a short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer report. Infographic, memo, report, issue/policy brief, grant, or proposal are all options. It could be from work or a class. Ideally, we’d like to see something that hasn’t received editorial support.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience participating in social safety net programs (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, WIC) and/or working directly with those who participate in these programs preferred.

• Experience with project management tools (e.g., SmartSheet, Microsoft Planner), data collection and analytical tools (e.g., Qualtrics, NVivo), or design and presentation tools (e.g., Figma) would be helpful.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and meet competing deadlines

• Ability to work well independently and as part of a highly collaborative team

• Excellent written communication and presentation skills

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 (15 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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Job ID:

26870BR

Career Area:

Research

Pay Range:

The anticipated salary range for this role is $56.2- $70K and will be commensurate with experience.

Bonus Eligibility:

No