How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in this position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

The Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center (MI-YVPC) is seeking a motivated and qualified candidate to provide project management support to a Centers for Disease Control (CDC)-funded research center focused on youth firearm violence prevention. This position is based in Washington DC, with some travel expected to Michigan for youth learning exchanges and program evaluation activities. The selected candidate will coordinate implementation and outcome evaluations of a grassroots, youth-driven firearm violence prevention program in Washington DC, The T.R.I.G.G.E.R Project. The selected candidate will also play a key role in community outreach to represent the MI-YVPC in Washington DC. We are seeking a candidate with excellent local knowledge of Washington DC, program evaluation experience, and a commitment to social justice and positive youth development.

About the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center

The MI-YVPC is one of five CDC-funded National Centers for Excellence in Youth Violence Prevention Center (YVPCs) across the country. Over the next three years, our Center will evaluate youth-driven, community-level interventions to prevent gun violence in two cities experiencing elevated gun violence: Washington, DC and Muskegon, Michigan. This position will be based in Washington DC. The programs we are evaluating are focused on identifying and addressing root causes of firearm violence, including racism and economic disinvestment. Our center also works to engage youth as part of the solution by providing youth with opportunities for training and leadership in community violence prevention. Learn more at: https://yvpc.sph.umich.edu/projects/building-evidence-for-gun-violence-prevention/

The selected candidate will join a research team based at the Prevention Research Collaborative in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education (HBHE) at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and the UM Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention (IFIP). The selected candidate will receive training and mentoring from the Center Manager and faculty and will have the opportunity to work with faculty and staff on strategic violence prevention initiatives within the research group.

HBHE Department Vision: Driven by a shared passion for affecting lasting change, the faculty, students and staff of HBHE work in the pursuit of an equitable, healthy future for all. Turning theory and research into actionable practice, we develop interventions and innovations that promote health, prevent disease, and empower people to manage chronic illness and disabilities. Together, our academic community transforms the theoretical into the actionable, the science into the social, applying our knowledge to eliminate health disparities and impact lives for the better. 

What You'll Do

The successful candidate will work closely with the research team and community partners on the following key tasks under the direction of the Center Manager:

Program Evaluation Support: 60%

Program Documentation

• Manage documentation of the T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project's summer program and year-round prevention programming, including their Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
• Document curriculum content, fidelity, and youth attendance
• Assist with the development of processes, protocols, and instruments for program documentation
• Attend program sessions, YAB meetings, and community events, as needed, to carry out program documentation tasks 

Data Collection

• Assist with the development of data collection instruments (e.g., surveys, interview guides)
• Lead recruitment and retention for youth surveys to evaluate youth satisfaction and behavioral outcomes related to program participation
• Organize and conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups to gather feedback on prevention programs from multiple stakeholders, including youth
• Manage the distribution of incentives to research participants (i.e., gift cards, program swag)
• Assist with the annual acquisition of Washington DC-based crime and juvenile arrest data

Data Management & Analysis

• Code and analyze data from interviews and focus groups
• Follow guidelines for appropriate data management and storage

Community Engagement and Programmatic Support (30%)

Community Outreach

• Represent the MI-YVPC in Washington DC by conducting outreach, attending meetings, and preparing and delivering community presentations
• Ensure smooth coordination and communication with the T.R.I.G.G.E.R. project staff, community partners, and the Youth Advisory Board

Program Planning

• Assist with the planning, coordination, and management of learning exchange activities between youth in Washington DC and Muskegon, MI taking a leadership role in Washington, DC-based planning

Communications

• Assist with preparing social media posts to disseminate center events, activities, and findings

Supervision

• Recruit and supervise Washington DC-based summer interns and research assistants, providing leadership and guidance in performing program evaluation and document tasks

Administrative Support: 10%

Regulatory

• Prepare and amend institutional Review Board (IRB) applications to ensure study compliance

Record Keeping and Reporting

• Keep detailed records of all study activities and outputs in Washington DC
• Assist with tracking and organizing grant and fundraising opportunities for the T.R.I.G.G.E.R. Project
• Aid in the preparation of regular performance reports to the CDC
• Assist with preparing progress reports, manuscripts, and presentations

Skills You Have

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Public Health, Social Work, Social Sciences or other related field. Master's preferred.
• 1-2 years of related professional experience
• Familiarity with program evaluation methods and principles of ethical research
• Familiarity with qualitative research methods
• Excellent local knowledge of Washington DC
• Ability to work independently while maintaining clear and consistent communication with the research team and community partners
• Takes initiative to perform needed tasks within the identified scope of work
• Demonstrates reliability and professionalism
• Experienced with Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Word, Excel), Google Suite (e.g., Google Drive, Google Calendar), survey management software (e.g., Qualtrics) and comfortable learning new technologies

Work Locations

This position will be based in Washington DC and will include a combination of remote and in-person work. The selected candidate must be willing and able to work in person for activities that require program documentation and evaluation, community outreach, and youth engagement. This position will also require some travel to Michigan for youth learning exchange activities and to annual CDC meetings (typically held in Atlanta, GA).

Additional Information

This is a Term-Limited position through September 29, 2025 with the possibility of extension dependent on sponsored funding.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic staff member with a commitment to contributing to a diverse, equitable and inclusive enviornment for all members of our community.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.