Learning & Evaluation Research Strategist

About Treehouse:

At Treehouse, we envision a world where every child who has experienced foster care has the opportunities and support they need to pursue their dreams and launch successfully into adulthood. And our team of staff who embody and deliver the heart and care of our work is our secret sauce.

Treehouse seeks to hire passionate individuals who understand the power of young people, celebrate diverse voices and challenge themselves to do better for youth in foster care. We are committed to providing opportunities for staff to learn, grow and stay with the organization during an exciting time as we expand our services and reach statewide.

Benefit Summary:

Treehouse values work-life balance and prioritizes the health and well-being of our staff. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and life insurance plans with 100% employer-paid premiums; a retirement plan with 3% employer match; and paid leave that includes 9 holidays, generous PTO and two weeks of staff appreciation days off.

• 2 Weeks off (separate from PTO) for Staff Appreciation Weeks
• Salary range offered - $67,100-$67,100 yearly. This role has the potential to go to $75,152 with time and demonstrated success in the role
• The company covers 100% of payroll taxes for state family medical leave
• Healthcare Benefit plan options include 100% covered preventive care
• Dog Friendly Office Space
• 403B Retirement Plan Matching
• Generous PTO of 4 weeks
• Free convenient parking

Position Summary:

The Research Strategist plays a crucial role in ensuring that Treehouse is collecting and utilizing high-quality data to drive decision-making and improve outcomes for youth in foster care. This position requires strong research skills, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. This position is situated on the Learning & Evaluation team and works closely with team members who facilitate program evaluation and measurement, data analysis, reporting, and data visualizations. This position focuses on identifying research needs through the organizational learning agenda, developing research plans, implementing research activities, and disseminating research findings. There is also a strong emphasis on supporting representatives across departments in their research initiatives and activities. The primary responsibilities of the Research Strategist include conducting needs assessments, designing research studies, managing data collection and analysis, producing reports, and providing support to staff, senior management, and external partners.

Essential Functions:

• Provide advising and instruction to teams interested in learning how to do research, including coaching, training, and technical assistance.
• Conduct qualitative research, including study design, conducting focus groups, surveys, and interviews, to gather information about the experiences of youth in foster care, and other key stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects in various stages of development.
• Produce high-quality, cogent, reports and presentations based on research findings to communicate insights and recommendations to various audiences, including staff, board members, and funders.
• Collaborate with the data analysis and data visualization team to integrate research findings into the overall evaluation framework and develop data-driven insights and recommendations.
• Oversee the organizational learning agenda, including identifying key research questions, developing research plans, and coordinating research activities across the organization.
• Conduct literature reviews to stay up-to-date on best practices and emerging trends in research related to youth in foster care.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• At least three years of experience conducting qualitative research, including designing research studies, conducting focus groups, and producing reports.
• Advanced aptitude with Microsoft Office Suite and other technology necessary for successful day-to-day functioning in business environment
• Graduate degree in a relevant field, such as social work, education, or public health.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including youth in foster care, and a commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Clear nationwide criminal background check and driving record background check.
• Deep commitment to racial equity and social justice and ability to effectively engage in candid conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion and justice
• Demonstrated ability to build positive and effective working relationships with individuals of various ages, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds and abilities
• Knowledge of best practices in research related to youth in foster care, including experience with trauma-informed research methods.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate it to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to maintain a high level of discretion when working with confidential information
• Experience with project management and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred

• Experience teaching research methodology
• A demonstrated ability to coordinate projects and support colleagues in multiple work streams and concurrent deadlines
• Familiarity with program evaluation
• Experience working with data related to education, child welfare, and/or youth development.

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics.