Employment

We’re well-staffed with well staff

PRA provides a variety of employment opportunities in various fields related to behavioral health systems change, including research, technical assistance, logistics, and communications. Our company culture is rooted in a strong work-life balance, and we are proud to offer competitive salaries, rich benefits, and a positive work environment. Some of our employee perks include:

Charitable giving matches
Day of Reflection opportunity
Employer-subsidized healthcare
Frequent traveler benefits
Generous vacation time
Staff luncheons
Tuition reimbursements
Wellness reimbursements

By fostering a culture of wellness and inclusion, we’ve created a diverse community of peers. PRA is committed to ensuring equity and respect for all persons, eliminating discrimination in all forms, and creating a work environment that is inclusive of all cultures, viewpoints, and experiences. We strive to create a work environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, have equal access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute fully to PRA’s success. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a recipient of the Times Union “Top Workplace” award in 2013 and 2018.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or Veteran status.

Please note: Policy Research employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and be able to show proof of their vaccination status.

View our Year in Review to learn more about what it is like to work at PRA.

VIEW JOB LISTINGS

Research Intern

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is seeking a temporary, part-time Research Intern for the Fall 2022 semester. A successful candidate will have interests and expertise in data science with a focus on behavioral health and/or the criminal legal system. The candidate will focus their efforts on data cleaning (extract, transform, load), creating and integrating new datasets, and exploratory data analysis, interpretation, and visualization.

A leader in the behavioral health and human services field for over 30 years, PRA is a certified Women-Owned Small Business funded by federal and state agencies, national organizations, and foundations. PRA conducts research, evaluation, and policy analysis and provides technical assistance and training in the behavioral health field. PRA is known for its expertise on behavioral health issues related to criminal justice, services for children, adolescents, and their families; recovery supports; service members and Veterans; homelessness, housing and income supports; and violence.

Description of the Position

The successful candidate will support the research and evaluation team in ongoing projects in behavioral health and criminal justice. This individual will have the opportunity to work across several projects with a focus on longitudinal quantitative administrative data from jails, courts, hospitals, and other behavioral health and criminal legal system services and programs. Tasks and learning opportunities will include combining data sets from multiple sources, recoding, restructuring, and creating data visualizations to answer and develop research questions. This position reports to the Director of Research and Evaluation and will collaborate with senior and junior research staff.

Desired Qualifications

Advanced undergraduate or graduate level students in a relevant degree program (e.g., data science, biostatistics, sociology, psychology, criminal justice, public health, public policy);
Some experiences, knowledge, and/or significant interest in behavioral health issues and/or criminal justice, and/or
Experience with complex longitudinal, timer-ordered, and/or administrative data
Experience using R & SAS
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and research creativity

PRA’s office is in Delmar, New York. A successful candidate may be based remotely, subject to PRA’s remote employee/telework policy. This internship is a paid position and is eligible for college credit, subject to the requirements of the candidate’s school.

To be considered for this internship, candidates must complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/bD9wohJR and send a cover letter (indicating position title), and a resume or CV via email to jobs@prainc.com (preferred), fax to (518)439-7612, or by mail at Policy Research Associates, Inc., 345 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054. We are committed to building a diverse, representative, and inclusive team. People of color, LGBTQ+ people, gender-nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, a recipient of the Times Union “Top Workplace” award, and an American Heart Association Silver Level Recognition award winner for Workplace Health Achievement.

SIM Facilitator Consultants

In an effort to enhance our capacity to deliver Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) Mapping Workshops, Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA), is seeking to increase our pool of consultants. Some consultants are subject-matter experts, while others bring experiences and perspectives in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to professional background, lived experience, geographic location, and other areas that broaden PRA’s capacity to effectively facilitate a SIM Mapping Workshop and deliver a SIM map and report. The SIM provides a framework and process for a facilitated cross-system dialogue that identifies resources, gaps, and opportunities across the adult criminal legal process, mental health, substance use disorders, as well as other disabilities.

A leader in the behavioral health and human services field for nearly 35 years, PRA is a small women-owned business funded by federal and state agencies, national organizations, and foundations. PRA conducts research and evaluation; provides technical assistance and training; and plans and facilitates major conferences, meetings, and other knowledge-transfer activities in the behavioral health field. PRA is known for its expertise on behavioral health issues related to juvenile and criminal justice; services for children, adolescents, and their families; recovery supports; service members and veterans; homelessness and housing; and violence.

Specific requirements will include:

Completion of SIM facilitator training and receive approval to conduct SIMs.
Ability to devote time and to travel to locations across the United States to conduct in-person SIMs.
Have the technology and ability to devote time to conduct virtual SIMs.
Facilitate a SIM workshop with 20 -70 individuals across diverse areas of interest and experience.
Participate in SIM planning meetings as requested.
Complete a well-written SIM report that reflects the content of the SIM Mapping Workshop.
Set aside dedicated time to facilitate the SIM Mapping Workshop and develop the report in a timely manner.
Agreement to only conduct SIMs as part of PRA work or with PRA’s approval.

Benefits of consulting with PRA include receiving a starting rate of $500 per day per SIM Mapping Workshop and report for contracted services. On average, consultants are paid for 3 days of their time per SIM Mapping Workshop and report, along with the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country and learn more about innovative and best practices across the United States.

Interested candidates must complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/QjHCbFBB and send cover letter (indicating position title) and resume to Policy Research Associates, Inc., 345 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054, email to jobs@prainc.com (preferred) or fax to (518) 439-7612. People of color, LGBTQ+ people, gender-nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

Communications Consultants

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is seeking to expand its pool of Communications Consultants in several key areas, including proofreading, editing, formatting, and layout for a wide range of materials to support a variety of projects related to enhancing behavioral health outcomes for individuals and communities.

A leader in the behavioral health and human services field for nearly 35 years, PRA is a Women-Owned Small Business funded by federal and state agencies, national organizations, and foundations. PRA conducts research, evaluation, and policy analysis and provides technical assistance and training in the behavioral health field. PRA is known for its expertise on behavioral health issues related to juvenile and criminal justice; services for children, adolescents, and their families; recovery supports; service members and Veterans; homelessness and housing; and violence.

Editing consultants will be tasked with proofreading site visit reports and publications (10–50-page documents) within the domains of suicide prevention plans for Veterans and homelessness prevention and income supports. Proofreading expectations include adhering to federal and project style guides, correcting grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation errors; confirming the accuracy of acronyms and agency and speaker names; and simplifying language for readability and adherence to plain language standards. Editors are expected to have familiarity with track changes and Chicago style.
Formatting and layout consultants will be tasked with formatting PowerPoints in preparation for conferences and academies and/or laying out fact sheets and issue briefs. Slide formatting expectations include light proofreading of slides (spelling, capitalization, punctuation), breaking up text-heavy content to multiple slides, ensuring used acronyms are spelled out, and adjusting provided content to adhere to slide template design (including layout and colorization). Layout expectations include formatting provided Word documents into designated project InDesign templates, applying character and paragraph styles, providing alt-text for used images, sourcing Creative Commons Zero images, and developing appropriate supplementary graphics. Familiarity with parent pages, object export options, and character and paragraph styles are essential.

Knowledge and/or significant interest in any of the following fields a plus: behavioral health issues; juvenile or criminal justice; homelessness; housing or disability services/benefits; service members and veterans; and wellness.

To be considered for Communications Consultant work, candidates must complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/AlPIhtuw and send a cover letter (indicating position title), and resume to Policy Research Associates, Inc., 345 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054, email to jobs@prainc.com (preferred) or fax to (518) 439-7612. People of color, LGBTQ+ people, gender-nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

Bookkeeping Consultants

Description

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is seeking to expand its pool of Administrative Consultants in several key areas, including bookkeeping, to support a variety of projects related to enhancing behavioral health outcomes for individuals and communities.

Successful Bookkeeper candidates will work on a consulting basis with a small accounting team. JAMIS Prime accounting/government contracting software experience is required. The primary responsibilities may include entering vendor invoices, producing customer bills, reconciling accounts, and other special accounting projects.

Requirements

Minimum of one year experience, two years preferred;
Knowledge of accounting principles and practices and administrative procedures;
Computer proficiency in JAMIS Prime accounting/government contracting software and Microsoft applications with strong working knowledge of Excel a must;
High school diploma required; Associate degree in an Accounting or relevant degree program preferred;
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work within timelines; and
Excellent communication skills.

To be considered, candidates must complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/HmEYt5HC and send a cover letter (indicating position title) and resume to Policy Research Associates, 345 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054, fax to 518-439-7612 or email to jobs@prainc.com. People of color, LGBTQ+ people, gender-nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and people who speak a language in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

Internship

Background

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA), a leader in the behavioral health and human services field for over 25 years, is a small business located in Delmar, NY. Funded by federal and state agencies, national organizations, and foundations, PRA conducts research and evaluation; provides technical assistance and training; and plans and facilitates major conferences, meetings, and other knowledge-transfer activities in the behavioral health field. PRA is known for its expertise on behavioral health issues related to juvenile and criminal justice; co-occurring substance use disorders; services for children, adolescents, and their families; recovery supports; service members and veterans; homelessness and housing; and violence.

Description of the Internship

PRA is always interested in hearing from qualified candidates interested in pursuing an internship. The internships typically involve various project tasks in several topical areas, including criminal justice, juvenile justice, recovery supports, and operations. High-level supervision/mentorship is provided for these internships.

Requirements

Undergraduate or graduate level student in a relevant policy or public health oriented degree program (e.g., sociology, psychology, criminal justice, public health, public policy);
Some experience, knowledge and/or significant interest in behavioral health issues, recovery supports, criminal justice, and/or juvenile justice;
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work within timelines; and
Excellent writing skills.

If interested please complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/wNXaDDmU and send a cover letter (indicating position title) and resume to Policy Research Associates, 345 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054, fax to 518-439-7612 or email to jobs@prainc.com.

PRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and was selected the Times Union #1 “Top Workplace” for 2018.