Employment

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) seeks to fill the following full-time position to join a talented project team working as part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-funded “Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance Center” (SMVF TA Center).  The SMVF TA Center offers training and technical assistance to military and civilian agencies developing and implementing strategic plans that build behavioral health capacity by implementing best policies and practices.  We are funded by SAMHSA and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a central mechanism for strengthening behavioral health services and systems working nationally across military, federal, and state agencies and local community planning teams to address issues, such as suicide prevention, opiate addiction, homelessness, and trauma.

Ideal candidates should possess first-hand knowledge of military culture and awareness of the unique needs facing SMVF individuals.  This may include military Veterans and/or military family members whose lived experience can help inform the SMVF TA Center’s perspective to improve the lives of America’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.

The successful candidate for the Project Associate position will actively travel to provide technical assistance to states and territories.  This position is responsible for cultivating on-going relationships with policymakers and cross-agency teams and partners, providing support and training, and connecting them with technical resources.  As part of the SMVF TA Center team, you will help provide a central mechanism for strengthening behavioral health systems through strategic planning, best policy and practice implementation, training, and technical assistance.  Military experience preferred; behavioral health experience, public health experience, diversity, and recovery values are welcome.

The SMVF Project Associate will have the following functions and responsibilities:

• Facilitate onsite or virtual strategic planning and technical assistance for military and civilian interagency behavioral health teams in states, territories and communities
• Assist with technical assistance and training needs assessments and planning
• Work with interagency teams to develop strategic plan documents
• Synthesize research and develop topical products and resources
• Track technical assistance outcomes and assist in the development of outcomes reports
• Assist in the development of materials for presentations
• Maintain communication and collaborate with project team members, subject matter experts and consultants, as well as State, Federal and Military representatives
• Facilitate and train at workshops, conferences, and on military bases in content areas, such as suicide prevention and opiate addiction prevention and recovery

Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree; preferably in social sciences or related field; or Bachelor’s degree in related field with advanced mental health and substance abuse training or clinical experience.

Experience: Military/military family experience preferred.  Experience in behavioral health services, training/facilitation, and/or behavioral health research is also preferred.

Skills: Strong initiative, independent worker, excellent trainer/facilitator, highly organized and detail-oriented, ability to work well with a team and in a fast-paced environment, excellent communication skills (oral and written), proficiency with Microsoft Office software.

Other: In accordance with Executive Order 14042 for Federal Contractors, the successful candidate must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and be able to show proof of their vaccination status.

Salary and level of position is commensurate with candidate experience. Significant travel is required.

Position is a full-time, immediate opening with competitive salary and excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision care, 401k and employer-contributed retirement, student loan assistance, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, and casual work attire.

Interested candidates must complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/pS0KIatP 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 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.

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.

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

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is seeking a full-time Project Assistant to provide support to a federally-funded project, designed to expand access to community-based behavioral health and support services for adults diagnosed with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders at all points of contact within the criminal justice system.  

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 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. 

The successful candidate for this position will function as an integral part of a team that provides technical assistance and support to leadership and professionals working in the fields of behavioral health and criminal justice. In terms of location, this position is flexible and open to all candidates regardless of proximity to PRA’s Delmar, NY-based offices. For non-local candidates, this position would be entirely remote. For local candidates, while this position is currently and primarily remote, there is an option to be based at PRA’s offices in Delmar, NY, with the likelihood that some in office work will be required at some point in 2022.  

Specific responsibilities will include: 

• Performing entry-level tasks associated with the project under the direct supervision of senior project staff 
• Providing basic assistance and support to the entire team across a variety of tasks, including technical writing, discrete project activities related to meetings, workshops, trainings, and other project events, assisting with technical assistance efforts (e.g., tracking of TA requests, coordination with subject matter experts, working cooperatively with PRA clerk and other operations staff regarding logistics, communications, and meeting preparation) 
• Assisting with the preparation of reports and other requests for information from funders 
• Assisting with information gathering and responding to requests for information from the field 
• Assisting with product/publication review, including proofreading, formatting, etc. 
• Supporting the virtual delivery of TTA using multi-media techniques and innovative technology 
• Providing limited training and technical assistance, both onsite and virtually 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, master’s degree preferred 
• Background in criminal justice field/policy and/or behavioral health experience preferred 
• Proficiency in the MS Office suite (i.e., Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) is required 
• Knowledge of and ability to use innovative media/technology is desired, including virtual meeting technology (e.g., WebEx, Zoom, MS Teams, etc.) 
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills required 
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work within timelines and to accomplish multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment  
• Some travel may be required 

Salary and level of position is commensurate with candidate experience. Position is a full-time, immediate opening with competitive salary and excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision care, 401k and employer-contributed retirement, student loan assistance, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, and casual work attire.  

Interested candidates must complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/v4tUcDxh 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 or fax to (518) 439-7612 by November 1, 2021. 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, an Albany Business Review “Healthiest Employer” and an American Heart Association Silver Level Recognition award winner for Workplace Health Achievement.  

Policy Research, Inc. (PRI) is seeking a full-time Senior Project Associate to join the SAMHSA-funded Homeless and Housing Resource Center (HHRC). HHRC is beginning year 2 of a 5-year SAMHSA grant that uses multiple training modalities to provide up-to-date, comprehensive education on evidence-based practices related to housing, treatment, and supportive services for adults, children, and youth who have a serious mental illness (SMI), serious emotional disturbance (SED), substance use disorders (SUD), and/or co-occurring disorders (COD), including special populations who have health disparities such as Veterans and youth who are LGBTQ+.

PRI is a small, woman-owned, not-for-profit corporation based in upstate New York and incorporated in 1995. PRI and its close partner, Policy Research Associates, conducts behavioral health services research and provides technical assistance. We are recognized leaders in the behavioral health field and have the capacity to provide a broad range of services and administer large-scale projects, including other large technical assistance centers.

Our researchers, training and technical assistance providers, and support personnel are known for their expertise in the overlap of mental health and the areas of behavioral health/addictions, criminal and juvenile justice, homelessness, recovery supports, accessing benefits, Veterans, and issues pertaining to family members and consumers. We are proud of the diversity of our employees’ experience and expertise and our proven performance record.

Senior Project Associate

The Senior Project Associate will work closely with the Project Director and will support the management of all day-to-day training and technical assistance (TTA) activities, including, but not limited to:

• Contributing to the development of written material for trainings and resources related to housing and treatment models for adults and children who have SMI/SED, SUD, or COD for a national audience. Contributing written content as a subject-matter expert on these topics.
• Coordination with staff, subcontractors, and consultants for the development of online trainings, resources and learning communities.
• Analyzing and synthesizing data and research.
• Tracking deliverables and priorities to ensure completion of tasks in a timely and accurate manner.
• Providing general project management support (editing and revising written documents, analyzing project-related data, leading and managing specific project tasks, etc.)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and at least 5 years’ experience providing direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness who have SMI or SUD and/or providing technical assistance on homelessness and housing issues, preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of housing and/or treatment models for adults and children who have SMI/SED, SUD, or COD and are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color and individuals with lived experience, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of policies and programs.
• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities is preferred.
• Ability to perform independent, self-directed work with the guidance of the Project Director.
• Certification in Mental Health First Aid or the ability to become certified within 60 days of start date (or the earliest available and accessible training date during the COVID-19 pandemic, with training costs covered by PRI).
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to accomplish multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, and motivation to identify creative solutions.
• Excellent writing, copy-editing, quality assurance, and verbal communication skills and ability to present to diverse audiences.
• Ability to handle workload that includes managing multiple projects and priorities, as well as out-of-state travel approximately 10 days per year.

Salary level of position is commensurate with candidate experience. Position is full-time, available immediately and starting no later than November 1, 2021. PRI offers competitive salary and excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision care, 401k and employer-contributed retirement, student loan assistance, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs and casual work attire. 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.

To be considered for this position, candidates must complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/QB4Juw35 and send cover letter (indicating position title) and resume to Policy Research, Inc., 345 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054, email to jobs@prainc.com or fax to (518) 439-7612.

We are committed to building a diverse, representative, and inclusive HHRC team. Depending on the circumstances of the successful candidate, this position may be based remotely, subject to PRI’s remote employee/telework policy.

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

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is seeking a full-time Senior Research Associate to join our research and evaluation team. The Senior Research Associate will have a leadership and collaborative role on a team engaged in research and evaluation.

A leader in the behavioral health and human services field for over 30 years, PRA is a Women-Owned Small 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.

Senior Research Associate

The Senior Research Associate will have a leadership and collaborative role on a team that works to identify policy and practice solutions through research and evaluation to ensure the well-being of people who encounter various systems, including behavioral health and criminal justice. The successful candidate will be responsible for research and evaluation activities across multiple studies, including:

• Developing and overseeing proposal development to ensure methodological robustness
• Designing, planning, conducting, and overseeing quantitative and qualitative projects
• Supervising and mentoring team members
• Developing and overseeing technical reports, presentations, conference abstracts, manuscripts, and other deliverables
• Providing rigorous review of research materials and deliverables
• Managing financial performance of projects
• Maintaining expertise in relevant areas, including knowledge of the empirical literature and state-of-the-art statistical methods
• Publishing work in journals, presenting at professional meetings, and contributing to professional organizations

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree required, preferably in social sciences, social work, public health, public policy, public administration, or related field
• 5+ years of post-graduate experience in applied research and evaluation required, preferably in behavioral health
• Demonstrated success acquiring and fielding research grants and contracts required
• Experience managing research teams required
• Experience in the design and execution of primary and secondary data collection required
• Knowledge of ethics and data privacy regulations required
• Effective communication with funders, community partners, and team members regarding projects and proposals required
• Excellent data coding, management, cleaning, and analytic skills required
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to oversee and manage internal timeline required
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills (both written and oral) required
• Experience overseeing and leading qualitative coding and interpretation preferred
• Experience managing large datasets and writing syntax with R, SAS, or STATA preferred
• Practice- or policy-based experience in the behavioral health field preferred

Position is full-time, with competitive salary and excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision care, 401k and employer-contributed retirement, student loan assistance, tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, and casual work attire. Remote applicants will be considered. Some travel is required.

Interested candidates must complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/gXhAEuhp and send 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.

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

Projects for which PRA is seeking interns include the following:

• SMVF TA Center (Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance Center), which offers training and technical assistance to strengthen and support local and state behavioral health systems serving SMVF addressing issues, including suicide prevention, crisis response, opiate addiction, homelessness, and trauma. The ideal candidate should possess first-hand knowledge of military culture and awareness of the unique needs facing SMVF.  SMVF Intern tasks will include literature reviews, resource archiving, and product development, as well as virtual meeting technology support and overall project support.
• SOAR TA Center (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery Technical Assistance Center), a national program designed to increase access to the disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration for eligible adults and children who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. The SOAR Intern will observe and contribute to virtual technical assistance, review SOAR Online Course practice case submissions, communicate with trainees and the SOAR team, and provide general contract support.
• SJC TA (Safety and Justice Challenge – Serious Mental Illness Technical Assistance) provides intensive technical assistance to the selected Safety and Justice Challenge jurisdictions that have targeted initiatives for individuals with serious mental illness. The SJC Intern will assist with preparations for IMPACT Network Meetings, as well as general research surrounding topics important to the SJC and related contract support.
• MHC (National Mental Health Court [MHC] database) – The MHC Intern will work on updating PRA’s national database of MHCs. Working with senior staff, the intern will undertake a national, multi-modal outreach and reassessment effort with the purpose of gathering the most up-to-date information about the existence and operation of MHCs nationwide. This information will then be used to update PRA’s national MHC database, which is currently housed on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website. 
• Research – The Research intern will provide support to the research team through some research administrative capacity and resource building (e.g., building empirical literature databases, templates, etc.).

Requirements

• Graduate-level student in a related degree program (e.g., social sciences, social work, public health, public policy, public administration, or associated field.) preferred; senior undergraduate level required.
• Some experience, knowledge, and/or significant interest in behavioral health issues, with specific knowledge of topics related to the desired internship placement, such as recovery supports, homelessness and housing, income supports, criminal justice, mental health courts, serious mental illness, and the behavioral health needs of service members, Veterans ,and their families
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work within timelines; and
• Excellent writing skills.

To be considered for a PRA internship, interested candidates must complete a brief, required survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/cYiE1WHR and send a cover letter (indicating position title) and resume via email (preferred) to jobs@prainc.com or to Policy Research Associates, 345 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054, 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. 

A leader in the behavioral health and human services field for over 30 years, PRA is a Woman-Owned Small Business funded by federal and state agencies, national organizations, and foundations. Guided by our company’s mission of “creating positive social change for people and communities through technical assistance, research and training” and our core values of commitment, inclusion, respect, and integrity, 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.  

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

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.