Employment

 PRA Values

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 writing. Our company culture is rooted in a strong work-life balance, and we are proud to offer competitive salaries, rich benefits, and a supportive 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 supportive, diverse community of peers. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a recipient of the Times Union “Top Workplace” award.

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.

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

VIEW JOB LISTINGS

  • SMVF TA Center – 3 Positions Available

    Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) seeks to fill the following three full-time positions 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.

    Project Assistant, SMVF

    The successful candidate for the Project Assistant position will assist the TA Center team in the provision of technical assistance to cross-agency State teams working to implement statewide plans to improve behavioral health services for SMVF.  Technical assistance includes providing training, facilitating strategic planning, archiving technical resources, disseminating information to the field, and developing technical assistance products.

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

    • Provide general administrative and logistical support to project staff, including travel itineraries, managing registration for events, preparing and shipping materials, and scheduling
    • Assist with database management and conduct data entry
    • Assist with report writing (site visits, monthly reports, etc.)
    • Conduct literature reviews and targeted topical research
    • Handle phone, emails, and routine information requests
    • Assist with preparing and shipping materials for site visits
    • Coordinate and schedule in-office meetings and conference calls
    • Support onsite technical assistance to states and territories
    • Prepare PowerPoint presentations and other materials
    • Facilitate the use of virtual meeting platforms and maintenance of web-based resource portal

    Qualifications

    Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in a related field.  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and strong attention to detail.  Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.  Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

    Preferred:  Previous military experience and/or experience with personal family, military-related behavioral health recovery a plus.  Master’s degree in a related field.  Some experience in a team-based work environment, managing the use of virtual meeting technology, website management, database management, and/or logistics coordination.

    The position is full-time, immediate opening with a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.  Located on-site at PRA’s offices in Delmar, NY.  Some travel is required.

    To apply for any of these positions send a cover letter (indicating the desired position) and resume to Policy Research Associates, 345 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054, fax to (518) 439-7612 or email to email hidden; JavaScript is required and complete a brief questionnaire at https://pra-admin.typeform.com/to/yZeTnO

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

    Project Associate, SMVF

    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 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 and territories
    • 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 nursing with advanced mental health and substance abuse training or clinical experience

    Experience: Previous military experience and/or personal experience with personal family, military-related behavioral health recovery required.  Experience in behavioral health services, training/facilitation, and/or behavioral health research is 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.

    This position is a full-time, immediate opening with a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.  Remote applicants will be considered.  Significant travel is required.

    To apply for any of these positions send a cover letter (indicating the desired position) and resume to Policy Research Associates, 345 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054, fax to (518) 439-7612 or email to email hidden; JavaScript is required and complete a brief questionnaire at https://pra-admin.typeform.com/to/yZeTnO.

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

    Senior Project Associate, SMVF

    The successful candidate for the Senior 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 training, and connecting them with technical resources.  As part of The SMVF TA Center team, you will help provide suicide prevention and/or opiate addiction expertise.  You will deliver technical assistance for strengthening behavioral health systems, including facilitating strategic planning and action planning for the implementation of best policies and practices.  Military experience, military family members, and/or those with knowledge of military culture preferred; behavioral health experience, public health experience, diversity, and recovery values are welcome.

    The SMVF Senior 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 and territories
    • Assess technical assistance and training needs
    • Work with interagency teams to develop strategic plan documents
    • Synthesize research and develop topical products and resources
    • Track technical assistance outcomes and develop outcomes reports
    • Develop and deliver 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, public health, public policy, public administration, or related field; or Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, or nursing with advanced mental health and substance abuse training or clinical experience.

    Experience: Military culture knowledge and skills is an asset.  Experience in implementing behavioral health best practices, training/facilitation, and/or behavioral health research is preferred.

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

    The position is full-time, immediate opening with a competitive salary and excellent benefits package.  Remote applicants will be considered.  Significant travel is required.

    To apply for any of these positions send a cover letter (indicating the desired position) and resume to Policy Research Associates, 345 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054, fax to (518) 439-7612 or email to email hidden; JavaScript is required and complete a brief questionnaire at https://pra-admin.typeform.com/to/yZeTnO.

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

  • SOAR Project Associate

    Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is seeking a full-time Project Associate to join the SAMHSA-funded SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) Technical Assistance (TA) Center. SOAR is national program designed to increase access to the disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for eligible adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder. Relocation to PRA’s Delmar, NY office is preferred.

    A leader in the behavioral health and human services field for nearly 30 years, PRA is a 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.

    Description of the Position

    The Project Associate will be a PRA employee and an integral member of the SOAR TA team. S/he will report to the SOAR Project Director and will be responsible for Center duties including, but not limited to:

    • Engaging and supporting high level state and local involvement in SOAR
    • Providing on-site technical assistance to states and localities to increase access to SSI/SSDI
    • Conducting leadership training and facilitating forums to further the implementation of SOAR
    • Communicating regularly with other SOAR TA Center staff
    • Reviewing practice cases submitted through the SOAR Online Course
    • Utilizing project databases to track monthly TA provided
    • Providing general contract support within the scope of the task order, such as writing issue briefs, blogs, and contributing to the newsletter

    Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in related field, Master’s degree preferred
    • Experience with Social Security disability (SSI/SSDI), preferably with completion of the SOAR Online Course
    • Experience working with individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness
    • Previous project coordination/management experience is desired, with experience overseeing multiple tasks/priorities
    • Experience w/technical writing, meeting planning/facilitation, media/technology, training, and TA desired
    • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work within timelines
    • Excellent writing and oral communication skills required
    • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to accomplish multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
    • Ability to handle workload that includes frequent out-of-state travel

    Salary 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 Employer, a 2018 recipient of the Times Union “Top Workplace” award, and an American Heart Association designated “Fit-Friendly Workplace.”

    If interested please send cover letter (indicating position title) and resume to Policy Research Associates, Inc., 345 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054, email to email hidden; JavaScript is required or fax to (518) 439-7612 and complete a brief PRA Candidate Survey at https://pra-admin.typeform.com/to/dKUwFO by August 31, 2018.

  • 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 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 email hidden; JavaScript is required.

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