Research Progam Assistant II

We are seeking a Research Program Assistant II who will be responsible for overseeing field recruitment, scheduling, data collection, and community engagement activities for an ongoing community-based HIV behavioral surveillance project that measures prevalence of HIV, health and social issues, health-related behaviors and access to services among men who have sex with men in the Baltimore area.

This position will work closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) and Research Program Manager in managing field site activities, including ensuring protocol compliance, participant and community engagement, and that enrollment goals are met. The RPAII will supervise and conduct recruitment and data collection following standardized protocols, provide on-site support to field staff, ensure that field site safety precautions and performance expectations are followed, and complete administrative duties. The RPAII will assist with ongoing data collection maintaining partnerships with community stakeholders through the cycle. This position involves evening and weekend work.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth operations across the research study and manage field site study operations with oversight from Research Program Manager.

• Responsible for operational planning.

• Responsible for community engagement.

• Interviewer and outreach training.

• Adherence to standard operating procedures including confidentiality, safety, and best research practices.

• Assisting with implementation of safety and security of data plus quality control measures to ensure data integrity and accuracy.

• Ensuring adherence to study protocols for participant recruitment, scheduling, data collection, specimen collection and storage, and referrals to health and social services.

• Establishing field site safety and welcoming procedures.

• Supply management.

• Supervising field recruitment, scheduling, and data collection.

• Developing strategies to meet targets for study participant recruitment.

• Facilitating linkage to care.

• Active participation in all study meetings by providing updates on study protocol implementation and study operations.

• Staff training, scheduling, and oversight during events.

• Managing field site participant flow.

• Interacting with study participants.

• Active participation in data collection activities, including consent procedures, participant screening, scheduling, interviewing using computerized interviewing tools, HIV counseling and testing.

• Active participation in meetings and trainings with city, state, and local community-based organizations.

Special Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Strong demonstrated skills in problem-solving and critical thinking.

• Demonstrated experience working independently, working well in an unstructured environment, and working as a team member.

• Strong attention to detail and protocol adherence, while maintaining flexibility to respond to multiple priorities.

• Demonstrated experience with study population and/or other marginalized populations.

• Knowledge of outreach and research methods.

• Understanding of data collection processes, strong organizational skills, and ability to interact with a variety of people.

• Experience recruiting and interviewing study participants.

• Proficiency in computer systems and electronic communications.

• Comfortable with data entry and able to adapt to new software with appropriate training.

• Able to occasionally work flexible hours to accommodate protocol needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.

• Two years related experience.

• Additional education may substitute for required experience, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in related discipline.

• Knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ communities.

• Some related experience and interest in HIV prevention.

• Experience coordinating outreach studies and supervisory experience.

• HIV test counseling certification.

• Experience with behavioral research or data collection activities.

• Late night and weekend availability preferred for some roles.

• Able to occasionally work flex hours.

• Maryland driver's license.

• Prior experience with study populations and/or other diverse populations.

• Maryland HIV pre- and post-test counseling certification.

Classified Title: Research Program Assistant II

Role/Level/Range: ACRO40/E/02/CC

Starting Salary Range: Min $15.50 - Max $26.00 HRLY ($47,840 targeted; Commensurate with experience)

Employee group: Casual / On Call

Schedule: Monday to Friday: 8:30 am - 5 pm

Exempt Status: Non-Exempt

Location: School of Public Health

Department name: HBS-Research Projects

Personnel area: School of Public Health

Equal Opportunity Employer

Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. The university promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.