Evaluation and Policy, System and Environmental Specialist

Position Summary

Descriptive Title

Leadership for program evaluation, implementation of policy, systems, and environmental strategies, and conducting integrated, applied research addressing identified needs to increase the number of Mississippians who are healthy at every stage of life.

Position Description

The Mississippi State University Extension office of Nutrition Education is accepting applications for an Evaluation, Policy, System, and Environmental (PSE) Specialist. Mississippi State University Extension implements evidence-based education, policies, systems, and environmental strategies, and the social marketing campaign HappyHealthy to help limited-resource families in Mississippi improve their well-being. All applicants must apply online at http://explore//msujobs.msstate.edu.

Position Function:  This position provides leadership for program evaluation, implementation of policy, systems, and environmental strategies, and conducting integrated, applied research addressing identified needs to increase the number of Mississippians who are healthy at every stage of life. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to collaborate with faculty regionally and nationally on projects.

Salary Grade: 17  Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.

Department Profile:  The office of Nutrition Education at Mississippi State University seeks nominations and welcomes applications for a twelve-month, non-tenure track position as an Extension Specialist. The office of Nutrition Education includes two federally funded programs, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) for persons eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The programs, in collaboration with community partners, focus on preventing nutrition and physical activity-related chronic diseases, improving food security, and creating supportive environments to make healthy choices easier where people eat, live, learn, work, play, and shop.

Area of Specialization: Evaluation, Policy, and Systems

Anticipated Appointment Date: April 2023.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1.     Lead efforts to build needs assessment and program evaluation capacity.
2.     Design and implement a needs assessment for the state.
3.     Design and implement a comprehensive plan for evaluating programs.
4.     Develop and validate assessment instruments to conduct program evaluation.
5.     Collect, manipulate, and analyze financial or quantitative and qualitative data.
6.     Maintain large and complex databases.
7.     Ensure reporting processes are completed promptly and accurately by the Regional Registered Dietitians, Community Wellness Planners, and Nutrition Educators, per the SNAP-Ed and EFNEP guidelines.
8.     Monitor processes and analyze program outcomes to document impact, enhance programming, and improve program accountability.
9.     Develop and compile reports for state and national stakeholders.
10.  Develop strategies for communicating the mission and effectiveness of SNAP-Ed and EFNEP.
11.  Provide in-service educational training related to data collection, program accountability, and evaluation to Regional Registered Dietitians, Community Wellness Planners, and Nutrition Educators to enable them to assist with and conduct program evaluation.
12.  Collaborate with evaluation staff from other program areas.
13.  Coordinate with faculty submitting evaluation tools and programs for review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) when appropriate.
14.  Serve on external boards and committees as appropriate to build partnerships to enhance programming.
15.  Serve as liaison with appropriate agencies and professional groups such as the American Evaluation Association and N-PEARS Advisory Council.
16.  Other duties as assigned.
17.  Adhere to the policies and spirit of Civil Rights/AA/EEO.

Required Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Education: Ph.D. in child/youth/family studies, education, family sociology, evaluation science, social science, or related field. The degree/research must incorporate evaluation methodologies. Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as required for the performance of assigned tasks. Preferred Qualifications: Two years of professional evaluation and assessment experience are strongly preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Applicant’s experience should demonstrate the following: • Knowledge of current qualitative and quantitative techniques for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data. • Experience creating queries, performing data validation and verification, and writing and developing reports. • Proven mathematical skills to collect, manipulate and analyze financial or statistical data. • Proven problem-solving and analytical skills that demonstrate resourcefulness and attention to detail. • Organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines, prioritize assignments, and manage time effectively. • Experience and proven ability to work productively as a team member and in cross-cultural settings. • Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and professionally in an interdisciplinary environment. • Ability to take the initiative, manage multiple projects, work flexibly, and adhere to priorities with minimal direct supervision. • Ability to work independently in an office environment without daily supervision. • Ability to carry out all functions of the position remotely if required. • Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. • Proficient in technology such as NVivo, SPSS/SAS/Stata, Qualtrics, Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Adobe Creative Cloud, ESRI, and data management, and can learn and master other computer technology/software as needed. • Proficient in the manipulation and use of large and complex databases. • A commitment to professional development.

Other Requirements

Working Conditions and Physical Effort • Varying environments include typical office settings, government agency offices, schools, gardens, retail, food pantries, etc. • Travel to and work in the community. • Occasional overnight, evening, and weekend travel to partner sites; local, state, and national meetings and conferences are required. • Job frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching, talking, and hearing. • Job occasionally requires climbing or balancing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and handling objects with hands. • Physical effort/activity will be required, must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted. • Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Travel Requirements

Travel to and work in the community. Occasional overnight, evening, and weekend travel to partner sites; local, state, and national meetings and conferences are required.

Driver’s license or alternate transportation required?

yes

Application Instructions

http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Equal Employer Statement(s)

MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

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