Research Program Specialist - School of Social Work
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Research Program Specialist
Center for Prevention Research and Development
School of Social Work
The Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD), within the University of Illinois’ School of Social Work is a vibrant applied research center that has been in operation for 30 years. CPRD has a stable $3.5 million‐dollar annual portfolio of grants in youth substance use prevention, maternal and early childhood health, health care for vulnerable populations, juvenile justice reform, and teen pregnancy prevention. We work with meaningful data that has applications for the field and for impacting policy. CPRD invests in its staff with actions and policies to support professional development and ongoing learning and growth opportunities.
Job Summary
For the Center for Prevention Research and Development (CPRD) within the University of Illinois' School of Social Work, work on teams to develop continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes and provide training and technical assistance to Illinois 55+ home visiting agencies receiving state or federal funding to support pregnant people or parents with young children. Provide training on CQI processes and tools, and convening, organizing, and planning the use of data and related information for process and program improvement. This is an entry-level role that requires strong attention to detail, the ability to communicate clearly with diverse audiences virtually or in-person, and comfort learning new data systems. Candidates should expect to balance independent tasks with frequent collaboration on a supportive team.Duties & Responsibilities
Assists with Developing, Implementing, and Managing Evaluation Plans
• Assists with developing and delivering a CQI approach for Illinois Home Visiting programs.
• Helps create strategies and tools to promote high quality services and program improvement.
• Summarizes CQI processes and develop quarterly and annual reports.
• Contributes to managing CQI project timelines for meeting deliverables.
Data Collection Implementation, Review, and Communication
• Forms mutually beneficial partnerships with funders and state-level administrators around data collection, interpretation, and use of findings.
• Reviews and interprets data results and trains others to review and interpret data results using various adult learning techniques.
• Communicates data findings to a variety of home visiting audiences including state, project leadership, and home visitors.
• Uses databases and/or spreadsheets to manage and present data results and to inform the design of new CQI processes.
• Monitors and analyzes home visiting service data to find trends and improvement opportunities.
Provides Technical Assistance and Training
• Works closely with research and project staff to develop and deliver CQI materials, tools, and presentations.
• Develops and delivers adult professional development activities to promote collection and use of data, consistent with best practices in adult education and theories underlying Instructional design.
• Provides CQI training and technical assistance virtual or in‐person, to a diverse group of Illinois Home Visiting programs.
• Demonstrates exceptional customer service skills to multiple audiences.
Collaborates with Team Members to Meet Research Goals
• Communicates with CPRD project staff about status and progress of CQI activities.
• Partners with team members to achieve project goals and objectives.
• Travels to state or federal level CQI meetings as needed.
• Other duties and responsibilities as suitable.
Travel Requirements
Travel as needed.Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in social work, community psychology, sociology, human development, health services research, epidemiology, education, public health, or a related field. Experience in an applied research setting. Demonstrated interpersonal, time management, organizational, and solution-focused skills. Experience with providing training and technical assistance.
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced writing and editing skills. Experience with Continuous Quality Improvement. Master's degree or advanced degree in related field. One to two years of experience with CQI, data collection and analysis, applied research, program evaluation, training, consultation, and technical assistance.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Understanding of health and human services, early childhood, and/or home visiting programs. Basic knowledge of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) including data collection, analysis, and evaluation. Excellent communication skills. Ability to work in a team environment. Knowledgeable about working with diverse populations and cultures. Good judgment (e.g., working within our contracted role, responding appropriately to requests, verifying information) when representing CPRD externally via training, presentations, and site visits. Ability to use MS Excel skills, MS Word, MS Outlook, and MS PPT.
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the search posting closes. The budgeted salary range for the position is $52,000 - $59,000. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. Hybrid work options may be available for this position with the ability to be on-site as needed per the University’s Workplace Flexibility policy.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on January 5, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Upload your cover letter, resume, and names and contact information for three professional references. For further information about this specific position, please contact SW-HR@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1033643
Job Category: Research
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu