Survey Researcher

SURVEY RESEARCHER 2 (006262)

UCPath Position ID: 40818340

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1115709

Approved Date:

8/23/2024 5:11:24 PM

Date Last Edited:

8/23/2024 5:11:21 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

3/6/2024

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

2400O

Organization:

UCLA FIELDING SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH  

Division Code:

2410D

Division:

PUBLIC HEALTH DIV                      

Department:

191800 - CNTR FOR HEALTH POLICY RESEARCH

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40818340

Position Description ID

166137

UC Payroll Title:

SURVEY RESEARCHER 2 (006262)

Business Title:

Survey Researcher

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 19

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

99: Non-Represented (PPSM)

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

1 - Staff: Contract

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40200052

Reports to Payroll Title:

SURVEY RESEARCHER SUPV 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40061737

Department Head Payroll Title:

ACAD PRG MGR 1

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under limited supervision, the Survey Researcher, is responsible for supporting administrative and research functions of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), the largest state telephone health survey in the country. Survey data derived from CHIS is used by policymakers, researchers, health experts, members of the media and others within the State and nationally for credible and comprehensive data to educate and affect governmental policy changes that enhance the wellbeing of its citizens. The incumbent will assist with the development and documentation of CHIS data processing, products and data dissemination and provide administrative support to the Data Access Center and technical support to CHIS data users. Develop and update technical and operational informational materials, document and log processes, disclosure review, assist with product development and dissemination, transfers, and data quality.  The Survey Researcher works under the supervision of the Data Access Center Coordinator and data production team.

The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) is the largest population-based state health survey in the nation and the premier source of credible and comprehensive data on the health and health care needs of California’s large and diverse population. A model for health surveys for other states, CHIS is committed to ensuring everyone has access to data — policymakers, advocates, health care providers, community organizations, researchers, journalists, and the public — to fight for policies that will improve the lives of Californians through better health and health care. We make sure that data didn’t just sit on a shelf but was accessible and widely disseminated through our public use files and AskCHIS free web query tool. 

Data Production and Dissemination

1. Develop, compile, and maintain databases, data dictionaries, data delivery logs, constructed variables documentation and other data products to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

2. Initiate and assist in the ordering, maintenance and organization of items needed for web-based data delivery.

3. Assist in the maintenance and organization of Research Clearinghouse entries for research dissemination purposes.

4. Field and respond to internal, founder and data custodian inquiries regarding data production and dissemination issues and generate data file requests.

5. Generate data requests and package data files for delivery to founders, local health departments, and public use data file users.

6. Serve as point person in maintaining databases on academic journal publications, news articles, and research projects that utilize CHIS data, in conjunction with the Communications Team.

7. Assist in the development and authoring of the survey variables, including writing code to create constructed variables, drafting and reviewing metadata text for new CHIS variables and AskCHIS web variables.

8. Assist in the annual CHIS data development and production through upcoding of write-in responses, child and teen school names, health insurance plan names, and coding of race/ethnicity variables.

9. Perform monthly race upcoding for use in existing CHIS COVID-related data dashboards, as well as to streamline annual data production process with earlier preparation of crucial data.

10. Perform quality control on CHIS data and data products prior to annual data release.

11. Assist the Compliance Officer and Data Product Manager in the coordination of investigation, documentation, internal reporting, and resolution of data errors.

12. Assist in coding, data processing, and data file preparation for CHIS­ related follow-on studies supported by the Data Access Center (DAC).

40%

Research Support

1. Assist in the compilation and preparation of contract deliverable documents and reports.

2. Assist with the review, proof, or analysis of data relevant to specific projects and work with programmers to verify findings and accuracy of information, as needed.

3. Assist in the documentation, preparation and coding of specific survey items as needed by research staff and programmers.

4. Use extensive SAS coding to build upon existing variable constructs to improve variables and provide more useful and relevant data to users.

5. Assist in provision and documentation of statistical and technical support to CHIS data users on content that includes, but not limited to, data access center applications, survey data variables, guidelines and costs for accessing data, and general CHIS topics and questions.

6. Provide assistance to the Data Access Center Coordinator related to investigating feasibility of proposed research projects, performing data file cuts for approved projects, and data disclosure review of output, as needed.

7. Conduct daily disclosure review and ensure projects and data access operation requests comply with approved policies and procedures.

8. As needed, conduct literature reviews, assist with analyses and data relevant to specific projects, and synthesize research on statistical disclosure limitation, confidentiality of research data, and other topics as assigned.

9. Serve as a main point of contact for Data Estimate Requests (DER) for nonprofit organizations or government agencies, which includes liaising with requestors, writing programs to generate data output, and provide additional consultation on data usage.

10. Assist in the preparation of public facing webinars and documents to provide insight on CHIS data products and guidance on use for public users.

11. Help lead the creation of a new and improved online Data Access Center (DAC) user portal, which provides an enhanced user experience for CHIS data users and allows for more streamlined application for CHIS data and interaction between internal CHIS staff and researchers.

12. Work with the Center Finance Team to craft a new project billing process utilizing the new user portal, including training on use of QuickBooks and modifying protocol for streamlined invoicing and payment processes.

13. Lead the creation of a user-friendly training video on how to use the new DAC user portal, including creation of training slides, writing of script, and recording of video.

14. Develop content and present at national public health and survey research conferences.

40%

Administration

1. Assist the Data Disclosure Review Committee and Data Disclosure Advisory Committee to generate and disseminate correspondence, agendas, summary of discussions, and processing applications for use of confidential data (as needed).

2. Assist in the preparation of interim and final project reports including results, tables, narratives, charts, descriptions of methodologies and other items required by agency policy.

3. Assist with daily functions of project management, organization, and upkeep, including but not limited to: documentation, emailing, filing, reviewing and general organization and upkeep. Manage the electronic information system to support project tracking and billing functions and to generate standard reports for the financial management and statistical support staff.

4. Assist in the development of all informational materials related to data access, including fact sheets and brochures, application forms and instructions, operational manuals, presentations, Web pages, and technical reports. Update and maintain documentation as needed.

5. Adhere to and uphold data dissemination protocols and security measures regarding scope, access to, and use of confidential and public use CHIS data.

6. Lead coordination of continual updates and improvements to the DAC billing process, including consolidation of years’ worth of documents, notes, and information into a new and user-friendly billing tracker.

7. Organize old outstanding invoices for DAC Projects, including communicating with past researchers, performing investigations with internal teams, gathering information on project billing details, and making decisions on how to move forward with payments.

8. Manage DAC Project billing, including generating invoices, tracking payment statuses, sending out billing notices, and communicating with the external researchers and the Center Finance Team.

9. Liaise with DAC researchers on desired enhancements to the DAC Project process, and work with the internal team to provide these updates in future iterations of the new DAC user portal.

10. Assist in the preparation of data gathering and impact analysis, primers, and other documents as requested by the PI for collaboration or communication with potential stakeholders.

11. Maintain, enhance, and oversee revisions to the CHIS Project Depot repository of projects using CHIS data.

12. Worked with other team members to devise essential upgrades to the CHIS Project Depot as it will be housed and displayed on the new DAC user portal.

13. Assist the Compliance Officer and Data Product Manager with the planning and review of the data release schedule to ensure resource distribution and timeliness.

20%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master's Degree

in public health, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, or a related field

Preferred

Bachelor's Degree

in public health, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, or a related field or equivalent combination education and experience

Required

Excellent writing skills sufficient to draft correspondence, meeting and research summaries, presentations, as well as assist in preparing informational and technical materials.

Required

Excellent verbal skills sufficient to interact with Principal Investigators, research staff, administrative staff and the external audiences of the Center.

Required

Knowledge of SAS, Stata and/or SPSS.

Preferred

Working knowledge of QuickBooks, or other experience with invoicing and payments for research projects.

Preferred

Demonstrated ability to use Windows-based computing systems in a network environment. Proficiency with Microsoft Office software including: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and database programs and the world-wide-web as an information resource.

Required

Skill in analyzing information, problem solving, and procedures to define a problem or objective; identify concerns; formulate logical and objective conclusions and recommend solutions.

Required

Working knowledge of, and experience working with the California Health Interview Survey data query system.

Preferred

Experience working with research or survey data and analysis in a school or professional setting.

Preferred

Detail oriented, with excellent organizational and documentation skills sufficient to manage multiple projects and meet often-competing deadlines.

Required

Capacity to understand and apply knowledge of data privacy, confidentiality, and statistical disclosure limitation issues.

Required

Ability to be proactive in tackling projects and completing tasks.

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

10960 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 1550, Los Angeles, CA  90024

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.