DSHS FFA Research Associate



DSHS FFA Research Associate

Salary

$90,000.00 - $115,000.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County – Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2023-09971

Department

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division

FFAA

Opening Date

08/29/2023

Closing Date

9/11/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Use your clinical trial knowledge and commitment to diversity and equity-based initiatives to embolden yourself in the service of others. The Washington State Institutional Review Board (WSIRB), in collaboration with Research and Data Analysis (RDA), is seeking a Diversity in Clinical Trials Research Associate to join their team. RDA, within DSHS's Facilities, Finance, and Analytics (FFA) Administration, provides data, analytics, and decision support mechanisms to improve the delivery of services that transform the lives of clients of DSHS, Health Care Authority, Office of Financial Management, Department of Health, Labor & Industries, Department of Corrections, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

In the role of Research Associate for Diversity in Clinical Trials, you serve as a program manager/coordinator in the development, oversight, and maintenance of a Diversity in Clinical Trials program.  You will utilize your knowledge of clinical trials (specifically drug and device trials), IRBs, working with clinical research site coordinators, clinical investigators, physicians who conduct the biomedical research for their group or institution, and research sponsors for drugs and devices. You will assist the WSIRB in this work. WSIRB is responsible for administering all laws and policies for the protection of several state agency clients, patients, wards, beneficiaries – and their personal records – as human subjects of research.

RDA stands at the forefront of health and human services research at the national level. The high-level statistical research and evaluation performed in this role contribute to reports used by the State legislature and executive branch to inform policy, programming, and budgeting choices relating to behavioral health, criminal justice, and other social service areas. A flexible hybrid schedule is available for this job after completing probationary training.
 
Some of what you will do

  • Liaise, network, and develop contacts with partners, staff, and IRB Administrator to identify and define requirements, scope, and processes and analyze opportunities for growth
  • Develop a plan in coordination with the IRB Administrator and IT for establishing methods for identifying and recruiting persons who are members of underrepresented demographic groups to participate in clinical trials in Washington state
  • Monitor project and program progress and troubleshoot, address, and mitigate any issues that arise while creating and maintaining comprehensive project documentation, plans, and reports
  • Apply an advanced level of knowledge to coordinate project management activities, resources, equipment, and information
  • Assign tasks to internal teams
  • Develop a network and contact information for community organizations or other entities which may be able to assist efforts to increase participation by underrepresented demographic groups in clinical trials
  • Continue developing the established network and contact information for community organizations or other appropriate entities which may be able to aid with efforts to increase participation by underrepresented demographic groups in clinical trials
  • Act as the point of contact and communicate project status to IRB Administrator and other partners
  • Provide ongoing documentation and reports

Fast forward 6 months:  You have worked to establish the Diversity in Clinical Trials program for WA state. Your collaboration with clinical research partners for WSIRB is helping you understand the reasons why people in underrepresented diversity groups are hesitant to participate in clinical studies and are discovering ways to increase future participation.

Who should apply
  • Professionals with a Ph.D.* or equivalent in research, sociology, epidemiology, public health, health economics, or related field; concurrent demonstrated work experience should include: 
    • Developing and coordinating project activities, resources, and information including the ability to liaise with partners, staff, and managers to identify and define requirements, scope, and processes and analyze opportunities for growth and development
    • Establishing methods for identifying and recruiting persons who are members of underrepresented demographic groups to participate in clinical trials in Washington state
    • Developing a network and contact information for community organizations or other appropriate entities which may be able to assist efforts to increase participation by underrepresented demographic groups in clinical trials
    • Providing reliable, professionally sound, valid advice, consultation, and technical assistance to high-level leadership in a policy context, preferably with relevance to vulnerable populations or publicly funded social and health services
    • Presenting complex ideas and information to a variety of audiences in both written and presentation formats, and explaining complex or technical information using plain talk 
    • Producing high-quality policy reports
  • Certification in Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) for research, including applicable rules and concerns about human subjects or ability to obtain with one month of date of hire
  • Use of MS Office Suite and ability to learn and effectively utilize other databases and programs
*A Master’s degree with approximately 5 years working with conducting and/or coordinating research for clinical and social-behavioral trials may substitute for a Ph.D.

This job effectively aligns with people that have the following preferred (although not required) skills:  
  • Clinical research management or coordination
  • Business development/marketing project management with a background in medicine or law in Institutional Review Boards and reaching out to the research community to network and develop relationships
  • Research operations project management in the drug or device manufacturing industry who work with marketing or program development for clinical trials and are familiar with the language and how to navigate the clinical research environment and systems

See why people like you chose careers with DSHS.
  
This job is classified as a WMS2.  
 
Interested? Please list 3 professional references’ contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role. 
 
Questions? Email bastrjl@dshs.wa.gov or phone Jenny at 360-791-4168, reference 09971. To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov.
 
Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.  

#WeAreHiring #InclusionWorks

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
 
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
 
  
 
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security" on your website and on printed materials.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the
Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.


Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.


As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. 

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

Agency
State of Washington
Address
View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Phone
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