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 life-work integration, and we are proud to offer competitive salaries, rich benefits, and a positive work environment. Some of our employee perks include:

  • Employer-subsidized healthcare
  • Generous vacation time
  • Tuition reimbursements
  • Student loan subsidy
  • Retirement benefits
  • Day of Reflection opportunity
  • Frequent traveler benefits
  • Wellness reimbursements
  • Charitable giving matches

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.

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About Us

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is a woman-owned small business with a long history of providing research, technical assistance, and training in the behavioral health field. The good work that we do is funded via a variety of funding mechanisms (federal, state, foundations, etc.) and we have a strong reputation for delivering top-notch services and impeccable customer service to our funders. PRA is committed to supporting 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 recognize the value in employing and partnering with people who represent the communities we serve. PRA employees are smart, hard-working, and fun, but most of all, dedicated to our mission of creating positive social change.

About the Position

PRA is seeking a full-time detail-oriented Bookkeeper to be an integral part of a remote, small accounting team. The primary responsibilities will be to prepare customer invoices and bi-weekly payrolls. This position is remote, with occasional trips (at least twice per year) to PRA’s offices in the Albany, NY area required. The normal work week is Monday through Friday. Since PRA is a professional organization oriented towards creative, quality products, work hours are highly flexible with the optimum completion of the firm’s work.

Requirements

  • Minimum of one year experience, two years preferred;
  • High school diploma or equivalent, Associate degree preferred
  • Knowledge of accounting principles and practices and administrative procedures;
  • Computer proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft applications with strong working knowledge of Excel preferred;
  • Government and cost accounting experience preferred;
  • JAMIS Prime experience preferred;
  • Third-party payroll service provider applications (e.g. Paychex) experience preferred;
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work within timelines, and creative thinking and problem-solving; and
  • Excellent communication skills.

Position is a full-time, immediate opening with competitive salary range ($45,000-$60,000) 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/OzTWGlLH 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. 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, 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 Project Associate to provide subject matter expertise, direction, and support across multiple projects focused on expanding access to community-based behavioral health and support services for adults within the criminal legal system.

The candidate for this position will possess significant programmatic and policy-related expertise (at least 8+ years) in mental health and/or substance use treatment and the criminal legal system, with a working knowledge of the myriad policy and systems-level issues for this population. The candidate will also have an established track record of leading projects and making critical decisions to meet project objectives. The ideal candidate will have a national reputation as a scholar or professional in the field, with a track record of publication highly desired. Further, while we will consider applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, an advanced degree (i.e., master’s or doctorate) is highly preferred.

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 behavioral health field and criminal legal system. This position is remote, with occasional trips (at least twice per year) to PRA’s offices in the Albany, NY area required.

Specific responsibilities will include:

  • Project/task leadership, direction, and supervision
  • Leading, overseeing, and providing training and technical assistance, both onsite and virtually
  • Technical and scholarly writing
  • Representing PRA at professional meetings, including national conferences
  • Working closely and collaboratively with PRA project directors to support and carry out major project initiatives
  • Leading meeting planning substantively and logistically, working with a team of experienced support staff

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field at minimum, advanced degree highly preferred
  • Programmatic and/or policy-related experience in the criminal legal system required
  • Experience in mental health and substance use disorder treatment and policy, particularly as related to populations involved in the criminal legal system required
  • Previous project management experience is desired, including overseeing multiple tasks/priorities
  • Experience providing training and technical assistance to individuals, agencies, communities, states and/or federal entities on related topics
  • Experience leading meeting planning/facilitation and use of innovative media/technology desired
  • Excellent writing and oral communication skills required, experience with technical writing for professional audiences is preferred
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to work within timelines and to accomplish multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
  • Some travel required

Salary Range: $85,000-$125,000 annually, commensurate with experience

To be considered for this position, candidates must complete a brief survey at https://pra.typeform.com/to/EDu3d3g6 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.

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. 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.

PRA, a leader in the behavioral health and human services field for over 35 years, is a small woman-owned business located in the Albany, NY, area. 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.

Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is seeking a full-time Project Assistant to join a talented project team to support the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)-funded “Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance Center” (SMVF TA Center). The TA Center provides a central mechanism for states, territories, and communities to help strengthen 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 this position will function as an integral part of a team that provides technical assistance to cross-agency state/territory/community teams working to implement strategic plans to improve behavioral health services for SMVF. Technical assistance includes providing in-person and virtual training, facilitating strategic planning, convening large events including policy academies and conferences, archiving technical resources, disseminating information to the field, and developing technical assistance products and reports.

This position will be a mix of remote and office-based work, candidates local to PRA’s Delmar, NY-based offices are preferred.

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

  • Providing general administrative and logistical support to project staff, including maintaining participant rosters, email, and listserv groups, developing travel itineraries, managing registration for events, coordinating event logistics, preparing and shipping materials, and scheduling
  • Assisting with database management and data entry
  • Drafting reports (site visits, monthly reports, )
  • Conducting literature reviews and topical research
  • Handling routine information requests
  • Preparing and shipping materials for site visits and large events
  • Coordinating and scheduling meetings and conference calls
  • Supporting onsite technical assistance to states and territories
  • Preparing PowerPoint presentations, program announcements agendas, and other materials
  • Providing tech support across various virtual meeting platforms
  • Maintaining archived materials and project management tracking

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field, master’s degree preferred
  • Previous military experience, military spouse, caregiver, or family member, a plus
  • Background in the behavioral health field, services or policy 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 take initiative, work within timelines, and accomplish multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
  • Local Travel will be required

Position is a full-time, immediate opening with competitive salary range ($45,000-$55,000) 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/jPPOj6ht AND send a cover letter (indicating position title) and resume to Policy Research Associates, Inc., via 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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.