Research Intervention Facilitator

Position Overview

The Center for Applied Research and Education Improvement (CAREI), in the College of Education and Human Development, is seeking to hire a Research Intervention Facilitator for prevention studies being conducted in partnership with east suburban school districts and colleges in the Twin Cities area. The Facilitator will support the delivery of one of two programs; Learning to BREATHE, a mindfulness program based on core principals of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and Skills for Success or HealthEd, both of which support youth and young adults in developing skills such as making healthy decisions, communication and navigating healthy relationships. Extensive training and ongoing coaching are provided. The facilitator will work directly with high-school and/or undergraduate students, as a co-facilitator supporting various programmatic activities including leading mindfulness and other skill-based activities, monitoring home practice, supporting group management, etc.

This position is part of CAREI's research support team that provides support to investigators within CAREI, as well as across various other departments in CEHD. This is a part-time, hourly position which requires flexible hours, including some possible evenings and/or weekends. In addition to program facilitation, the Facilitator will participate in consultation meetings (i.e. supervision), assist with research activities (e.g., participant recruitment and other assessment and data collection activities), perform some administrative functions (e.g. reporting tasks), and attend other trainings and/or project meetings as needed.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. This position does require performing in-person activities (i.e. group facilitation and/or data collection) at the school site(s) partnering in these projects. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Job Responsibilities

Co-facilitate intervention groups (50%)

• Support the planning and organization for group sessions (e.g. reviewing and prepping materials, etc.)
• Apply subject matter knowledge to co-facilitate group sessions with group participants utilizing a manualized curriculum
• Lead mindfulness and/or skill-based activities
• Provide support for group management
• For facilitators assigned to the L2B+App intervention, assist with monitoring the L2B+App facilitator dashboard to assess student engagement and homework completion

Recruitment and Administrative Tasks (25%)

• Work with school staff and/or co-facilitators to support participant engagement and other logistical needs such as identifying eligible students, enrollment and retention, space for group facilitation, etc.
• Conduct consent meetings and collect participant consent/assent via informed consent procedures
• Track and report fidelity of implementation data (e.g. attendance, content delivery, engagement, etc.) via online reporting tool/survey
• Complete research activities including surveys and an interview focused on evaluating the intervention
• Attend regular meetings with the research team and school staff to monitor student enrollment and progress
  

Assessments and Data Collection (20%)

• Travel to sites (e.g. homes, schools, etc.) to collect data with youth and parent(s)
• Develop rapport with study participants to ensure a positive research experience
• Administer assessments (including questionnaires and other standardized tasks) both virtually and in-person with participants
• Provide assistance with focus groups and interviews including note taking, facilitation, transcribing and coding
• Follow protocols to organize, complete and maintain all study-related materials, ensuring data quality control
• Maintain equipment used for assessments (i.e. computers, iPads, video/audio equipment, etc.)

Training and Professional Development (5%)

• Attend and complete assigned intervention training sessions
• Participate in intervention coaching meetings
• Attend other training opportunities as available

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS in psychology, counseling, social work, youth studies or other related field, or a combination of education and related work experience to equal four years
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities
• Prior experience working with adolescents and/or emerging adults
• Reliable transportation to travel to research sites (e.g. schools)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in psychology, counseling, social work, youth studies or related field
• Previous experience working at CAREI and/or knowledge of CEHD research portfolio
• Working knowledge of MBSR principles and practices
• Demonstrated experience leading youth groups
• Prior experience conducting research activities such as participant recruitment, data collection, etc.
  

Department Overview

CAREI is a well-established college-wide center that serves as the link between research and practice in Minnesota schools PreK-16 and other agencies interested in applied educational and social science research. CAREI's mission is to maximize wellbeing in schools, families, and communities. Our vision is to become the premier hub for making research accessible and actionable to ensure equitable outcomes. CAREI strives to accomplish this via the center's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, which states, "We are committed to tackling injustices and embracing diversity by continuously engaging with principles of equity, antiracism, cultural responsiveness, and intersectionality. We seek to

learn about, live out, and promote these principles in our work with educational programs and systems as applied researchers, evaluators, trainers, and coaches."

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: This position is represented by the AFSCME Union, Local 3937 & 3801. The hours are M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm. The work location is on the Minneapolis campus. The hourly range for this position is $25.09-$26.62 per hour. Final offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 25%

Position Type: LRBU

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).