The West Virginia University Office of Health Affairs is seeking applications for a Program Evaluation Specialist (Research Associate) located in Charleston, WV. The program evaluator creates a review process to evaluate the effectiveness of programs by developing feedback methods, conducting user interviews and recording results for evaluation. The Program Evaluator must be able to analyze and interpret data, develop written and oral report, and have a demonstrated history of contribution to the field through publishing. The program evaluator should be familiar with current data-gathering techniques and technology, and have reporting experience with at least one area of federally sponsored program evaluation guidelines, such as by the Centers for Disease Control, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Excellent interpersonal skills and knowledge of interviewing techniques are also required. The ideal candidate has a team-oriented attitude for training others in the program and a professional demeanor for interacting with stakeholders and program users

In order to be successful in this position, the ideal candidate will:

• Monitor and evaluate quality improvement initiatives through data collection and analysis;
• Design and develop data collection measures and program evaluation tools;
• Manage and upgrade currently used databases
• Conduct routine analysis on program process and outcome data;
• Identify program improvement initiatives by working closely with program staff;
• Provide relevant training to staff on different evaluation aspects;
• Draft written reports and presentations related to evaluation process and findings;
• Develop novel, comprehensive evaluation plans that include program logic models and both process and outcome measures.
• Prepare for and conduct meetings and presentations, effectively and professionally;
• Update computer based learning content in all relevant systems;
  
• Develop data collection protocol and instrumentation necessary to conduct in-depth studies;
• Manage internal data record keeping and refinement;
• Responsibility for making and/or contributing to important decisions about the program's
  effectiveness, focus, and management;
  
• Build internal evaluation capacity with all full-time program employees;
• Manage data agreements and relationships with all necessary stakeholders and partners;
  
  

• Earned PhD in Public Health or related field; Or a combination of education and experience.
• Two (2) years of experience managing and directing teams in programmatic improvement and demonstrated program evaluation experience required.
• Extensive knowledge of best practices in program evaluation;
• Ability to engage with, listen to, and learn form a broad range of evaluation stakeholders
  encouraging their meaningful participation;
• Ability to identify limitations of one's evaluation expertise and devise methods for acquiring additional evaluation knowledge when necessary;
• Ability to educate program staff and partners about evaluation concepts and methods;
• Skilled in working with stakeholders to develop feasible recommendations based on data
  collected and interpreted;
• Ability to prepare and present evaluation results in a manner that increases the likelihood that they will be used and accepted by a diverse group of stakeholders;
• Ability to develop action plans and systems to facilitate and track implementation of evaluation findings and recommendations;
  
• Skilled in developing and implementing a communications and dissemination plan as requested or required.