Title: Research Assistant (Sudden Death in the Young)

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist I

Hiring Range: $22.00- $24.00/hr

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER-CENTRAL

Agency Website:www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Sudden Death in the Young Research Assistant will provide crucial support to ongoing child death research projects within the Division of Death Prevention. Working closely with the Principal Investigator and Program Manager the Research Assistant will assist in data collection, analysis, and other research-related activities.

Key Responsibilities:
• Data Collection: Collect, organize, and manage research data through various methods, including surveys, experiments, interviews, and observations.
• Data Analysis: Assist in data analysis using statistical software or data analysis tools as needed. Perform preliminary data cleaning and basic statistical analyses.
• Literature Review: Conduct literature reviews to support the research process and keep up to date with the latest developments in the field.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed records of research activities, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with research protocols.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with team members, researchers, and external partners as necessary for the successful execution of research projects.
• Administrative Tasks: Assist with administrative tasks related to research, such as mailing record requests, organizing files, taking meeting minutes, and coordinating other related activities.

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the Sudden Death in the Young Expansion grant for a period ending 8/31/2028. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Wage employees are subject to the following conditions of employment:
• Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority.
• Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
• Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act. Therefore, they are not eligible for benefits which are provided to salaried employees, such as leave credits, holiday pay, insurance, access to the grievance procedure, etc.
• Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work.
• Virginia state law currently requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average over the course of a year. Wage employees may not work for VDH beyond 1,500 hours during the period of May 1 - April 30 of the following year (the Standard Measurement Period).
• Once a wage employee works the maximum of 1,500 hours during the Standard Measurement Period, the employee may be rehired as a wage employee of VDH only after the next Standard Measurement Period has begun.
• Wage employees are eligible to apply for all classified positions for which recruitment has been initiated, including those limited to State Employees Only.
• If a wage employee becomes employed in a classified position, he/she will be eligible to purchase retirement credit for the time worked as a wage employee.
• Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of database management; data quality assurance techniques and procedures; basic statistical formulas and techniques.
• Strong oral and written communication, interpersonal, problem solving, and database management skills.
• Knowledge of basic research methods, information review processes and data entry.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to independently collect, analyze, and enter data; perform data quality checks; report and reconcile discrepancies; prepare clear and accurate documentation and reports.
• Knowledge of or experience in public health theory, principles, and/or qualitative data methods.

Additional Considerations

• Experience using large public health or criminal justice data systems.
• Experience in research, data abstraction or data entry is preferred.
• Experience processing, shipping, and/or handling biospecimens.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered.
Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include
relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check
and the Department of Social Service's Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion
List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or
completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted
without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and
protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation;
gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and
pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can
be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening
Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date
for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this
application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to
respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration

Contact Information

Name: Jessica Vaughan

Phone: n/a

Email: jessica.vaughan@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.