Research & Evaluation Analyst

Full Job Description

The County of Santa Barbara Department of Behavioral Wellness is accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time vacancy for Research and Evaluation Analyst in Santa Barbara County.

The County job classification associated with this working title is Epidemiologist. The position is based in Santa Barbara, however, countywide travel may be required in operating areas.

The majority of work currently occurs remotely but it is required that the incumbent be within reasonable travel distance to accommodate periodic in-person meetings.

Research and Evaluation Analyst is the working title for this position, and the County job classification associated with this working title is Epidemiologist.

We are also accepting applications to establish one employment list for future Full-Time, Part-Time, and Extra Help (temporary) and *1414 vacancies.

*1414 vacancies may occur as a result of a leave of absence (Civil Service Rule 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave.

A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here HERE. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT: Founded in 1962, it is the mission of the Department of Behavioral Wellnessto promote the prevention of and recovery from mental illness and addiction among individuals, families and communities, by providing effective leadership and delivering state-of-the-art, culturally competent services.

The Department provides treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to 10,000 clients with mental illness and substance use disorders annually through its professional staff of over 400, in addition to its many contracted Community-Based Organization (CBO) providers.

The Department’s decisions and service delivery are guided by the following values:

• Quality services for persons of all ages with mental illness and/or substance abuse
• Integrity in individual and organizational actions
• Dignity, respect, and compassion for all persons
• Active involvement of clients and families in treatment, recovery, and policy development
• Diversity throughout our organization and cultural competency in service delivery
• A system of care and recovery that is clearly defined and promotes recovery and resiliency
• Emphasis on prevention and treatment
• Teamwork among department employees in an atmosphere that is respectful and creative
• Continuous quality improvement in service delivery and administration
• Wellness modeled for our clients at all levels, i.e., staff who regularly arrive at the workplace healthy, energetic and resilient
• Safety for everyone

THE POSITION:

The candidate selected for this position will, under direction, assist in the Research and Evaluation unit to plan, initiate, design and conduct behavioral health research projects and studies; analyze, interpret, and communicate/present the results of research and program evaluations; designs survey instruments and data collection systems; evaluate and interpret findings; make recommendations regarding allocation of resources and program design based upon data reports; and perform other related duties as required.

This position will work collaboratively with clinical providers and program and administrative staff to design data collection strategies and perform analyses to drive departmental data-based decision-making.

The Research and Evaluation Analyst will specialize in particular areas or populations within the department; at this time, we are seeking applicants with knowledge and experience related to substance use and/or mental health.

The position will participate in needs assessments, resource allocation, program evaluation, planning and development for assigned programs; if required, participate in grant development and administers grant activities for assigned programs.

Seeking candidates who are committed to health equity County wide, as the position will support the County's diversity initiatives, and works to address the needs of diverse and underrepresented communities.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will have:

Requirements

• Interprets and analyzes statistical data for behavioral health colleagues and advises them of implications of the findings for behavioral health decision-making; Designs and defines the type of data to gather for surveys, as well as gathers and reviews current literature.
• Implements and conducts research projects; plans, coordinates, and directs collection, coding, and entry of data; develops, maintains, and utilizes existing computerized databases to monitor behavioral health data.
• Utilizes available data to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of services and program; and conducts analyses to ensure that established program standards are met.
• Consults with personnel from within the departments, other County departments, the State Public Health Department, the Department of Health Care Services, public and private community agencies, health care providers, psychiatrists, psychologists, practitioners and others to coordinate and provide the analysis and interpretation of behavioral health data, facilitate the reporting of findings, and monitor other significant behavioral health-related issues.

Qualifications

Knowledge of: principles, theories, and procedures of research and evaluation, including study design, statistical analysis, and causal inference; behavioral health practices and principles used in research; current research and trends in behavioral health; appropriate computer processing methods used to generate, organize and display statistical and research data; and standard English grammar, spelling, and usage.

Ability to: gather, organize, analyze, and report behavioral health data; evaluate possible intervention strategies; apply research design method theories and advanced statistical analysis; design, develop, and maintain manual and/or computerized databases; use computer software programs to perform statistical analysis; read and understand complex technical information in mathematical or diagrammatical form; speak and write clearly, concisely, and logically; and establish and maintain cooperative relationships with representatives from other departments, general public, and outside organizations.

Additional Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Candidates' response to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and autoscored.

Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Applicants must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire to be placed on an employment list.

An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI.

Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months.

At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

Veteran's Preference Points: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans).

To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.

No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.

To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department by attaching it to your application, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process.

The preference points will be added to your final test score.

Vets points are not applicable for promotional recruitments or Extra-Help positions.


CONDITIONAL JOB OFFER:

Live Scan and Background Check: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate's appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks.

A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice.

Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.

The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.