The Social Research Scientist (SRS) evaluates emerging health, environment, and community priorities and works with teams to evaluate projects. This person consults with and provides guidance to project teams on using social science and community-based participatory research approaches to design, implement, and apply findings. The SRS also guides the application of research findings to inform policy and intervention strategies for program management.
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DIVISION:
Through the work of over 150 dedicated employees, the Environmental Health Services Division identifies and sustains environmental conditions that promote health equity and healthy people and communities in Seattle and King County. Our vision is healthy, safe, and vibrant communities that are free of health disparities based on race, gender, or economic status. The Division's core values include equity and social justice, integrity, community service, collaboration, a supportive work culture, and learning from each other and the communities we serve. To learn more about EHS, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/ehs.
ABOUT THE HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM:
The Hazardous Waste Management Program (Haz Waste Program) is a coalition of local governments. Partners work in multi-agency teams, drawing on their strengths and expertise to protect public health and the environment. “At the Hazardous Waste Management Program, we come to work every day because we want to protect and improve public and environmental quality in King County. Together with our partners, we are working towards a shared vision: A Puget Sound region that’s the cleanest in the country, free from hazardous chemical exposure.” To learn more about the Haz Waste Program, please visit https://www.kingcountyhazwastewa.gov
Program and Community Needs Assessment
Develop and implement methods for monitoring emerging health and environmental issues and behaviors related to the Haz Waste Program’s mission using socioeconomic, demographic, consumer/market, behavioral, and community data.
Monitor key social, health and environmental indicators that reflect environmental and population-based priorities for the Haz Waste Program.
Use strategies, including literature reviews, and qualitative (focus groups, interviews, ethnographic studies, etc.) and quantitative (surveys, consumer data, etc.) research methodologies, to identify community needs, consumer behavior, and program service levels.
Develop recommendations for the Haz Waste Program based on needs assessments.
Applied Research, Program Planning, and Project Support
Consult with Haz Waste Program staff and management, community partners, policy liaisons, environmental and health planners, public officials, and other stakeholder groups to assist in policy development, planning for community needs, and developing interventions based on research findings.
Design participatory-based research approaches that support co-designing research and evaluation activities and co-developing recommendations with community organization and other partners.
Develop multi-disciplinary research and evaluation strategies, including design, data management, implementation, data analysis, reporting, and application to projects. Methods may include interviews, focus groups, community conversations, surveys, assessments, market research, or other quantitative or qualitative methods.
Provide technical support, training, and consulting to Haz Waste Program work teams and program partners around social science research and evaluation and application of data for planning.
Promote and apply research standards, including quality assurance and human subjects protection protocols.
Share results in a style that is appropriate for a wide variety of audiences, including Haz Waste Program managers and partners, community groups, elected officials, and research scientists.
Administration and Contract Management
Manage projects in an environment of changing priorities with time and budget constraints and multiple stakeholders; guide project scope of work; and lead and coordinate research and evaluation efforts with departmental and program staff, community partners, and investigators in other agencies.
Manage contracts in support of research projects, including: working with contracts and procurement staff, writing requests for proposal and scopes of work, performance monitoring and reporting, and technical assistance provision, as appropriate.
Coordinate research with other federal, state, and local public health agencies.
Desired Qualifications:
The most competitive candidates will have:
Licensing / Certification Requirements:
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Who May Apply: This position is open to all qualified candidates.
This posted continuous until filled with consideration for applications received by April 21, 2021.
Application Process:
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
Required Question
King County
Auburn, WA