Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.
Job Summary
Westat is seeking an experienced Senior Research Associate to work in our Education and Social Policy practice to support implementation research and provide technical assistance (TA) to federal, state, and local partners. This role focuses on translating research into practice—helping organizations implement evidence-based programs, strengthen systems, and improve outcomes through data-driven decision-making. The Senior Research Associate will lead tasks supporting Place-Based partnerships and comprehensive center technical assistance projects for the U.S. Department of Education, state and local education agencies. Senior Research Associates work collaboratively with others in multidisciplinary teams and may serve as task leads, project managers, or task contributors.
While this position is remote eligible, we value regular in-person collaboration and prefer candidates who can work from a Westat office at least one day per week. Candidates who are based in the Southwest region—particularly Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas—may be considered for a fully remote arrangement to support alignment with TA recipients and regional site-visit needs.
Job Responsibilities
Project Leadership and Management
- Lead and manage complex research and technical assistance projects, ensuring high-quality deliverables, timelines, and client satisfaction
- Develop work plans, budgets, and progress reports for federal and nonfederal clients
- Manage a team, including junior staff and subcontractors, by making assignments, monitoring timelines, identifying next steps, and conducting quality assurance
- Develop and implement processes for tracking operational needs using Excel or Smartsheet and reporting on status regularly using dashboards and data-use tools to support decision-making
- Implementation and Technical Assistance
- Design and deliver technical assistance strategies to support program implementation, results, sustainability, and scaling
- Provide interactive coaching, training, workshops and courses to cross-sector stakeholders (e.g., program administrators, practitioners, policymakers)
- Develop implementation tools, strategies, and resources aligned with Promise Neighborhoods and Full-Service Community Schools frameworks (e.g., toolkits, guides, training materials)
- Support continuous quality improvement and organizational capacity building
Research and Evaluation
- Lead or contribute to implementation and process evaluations
- Design data collection instruments and protocols (e.g., interviews, surveys, focus groups)
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis
- Interpret findings to inform program improvement and policy decisions
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and community stakeholders
- Facilitate meetings, workshops, and learning collaboratives
- Translate complex research findings into actionable insights for non-technical audiences
- Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing
- Prepare high-quality trainings, reports, briefs, and presentations
- Contribute to professional networking, conference presentations, and proposals
- Support knowledge translation and dissemination strategies
Basic Qualifications
- A master’s degree in social sciences, education, public policy, or a related field with at least 6 years of relevant experience in technical assistance, process-oriented implementation or technical support, and qualitative or quantitative data collection and analysis; or a Ph.D. in social sciences, public health, public policy or a related field with 2 or more years of relevant experience in technical assistance, process-oriented implementation or technical support, and qualitative or quantitative data collection and analysis
- Experience designing and delivering technical assistance or capacity-building initiatives
- Demonstrated experience working with federal or state contracts (e.g., HHS, CDC, ED, DOL) especially cradle-to-career projects such Promise Neighborhoods and Full-Service Community Schools
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with results-based frameworks such as Results Count, Result-Based Accountability
- Demonstrated communication skills and ability to translate complex technical information into plain language for various audiences
- Demonstrated ability mentoring more junior staff and working collaboratively with more senior staff
- Excellent attention to detail and quality assurance
- Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
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Employee Stock Ownership Plan
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401(k) Retirement Plan
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Paid Parental Leave
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Vacation Leave (15 days per year)
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Sick Leave (9 days per year)
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Holiday Leave (7 Government Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays)
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Professional Development
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Health Advocate
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Employee Assistance Program
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Travel Accident Insurance
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Medical Insurance
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Dental Insurance
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Vision Insurance
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Short Term Disability Insurance
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Long Term Disability Insurance
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Life and AD&D Insurance
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Critical Illness Insurance
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Supplemental Life Insurance
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Flexible Spending Account
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Health Savings Account
Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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