Field Research Assistant

PROJECT POLICY ANL 1 (007396)

UCPath Position ID: 40951950

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1134580

Approved Date:

5/9/2025 5:54:50 PM

Date Last Edited:

5/9/2025 5:54:46 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

5/15/2022

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

2400O

Organization:

UCLA FIELDING SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Division Code:

2410D

Division:

PUBLIC HEALTH DIV

Department:

193500 - EPIDEMIOLOGY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

40951950

Position Description ID

168189

UC Payroll Title:

PROJECT POLICY ANL 1 (007396)

Business Title:

Field Research Assistant

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

Grade 18

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:

40088097

Reports to Payroll Title:

PROJECT POLICY ANL SUPV 2

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40056610

Department Head Payroll Title:

PROF-AY

SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referral to the supervisor’s guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction and supervision of the Project Manager, the Field Research Assistant will support tasks contributing to the success of research and fieldwork projects conducted in the office of Dr. Beate Ritz, mainly related to the Epidemiology of Parkinson's disease. Such tasks include but are not limited to supporting research administration, scheduling and executing the multiple research activities subjects go through as part of fieldwork support (recruitment, screening, interviews for data and samples collection), and conducting data entry into electronic format databases (in Microsoft Excel, Access, and RedCap).

The Epidemiology department in the Fielding School of Public Health is a national leader in preparing a new generation of epidemiologists. Through specialized methodologies, epidemiologists identify, track, and analyze how diseases and other conditions are caused, transmitted, and prevented, as well as how they are distributed throughout the population. Such information plays a critical role in guiding policies and other evidence-based strategies to promote health and work toward health equity. The vital importance of epidemiologic research was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, in which epidemiologists have helped to track outbreaks and provide guidance on how the virus spreads in community settings.

Research/Fieldwork support and data collection

Schedule, support, execute, and track the multiple research fieldwork activities for study subjects: recruitment, screening, samples collection, interviews for data collection, mailing letters, biosample supplies, and survey forms. Regularly interact with study subjects via telephone, email, video, or in-person, to conduct screening, consent, enrollment, support them with completing surveys and biosamples collection, and to conduct interviews for research data collection. Support study participants' biosamples collection and management activities, including all samples processing and inventory organization. Completion of required UCLA provided biosafety training to conduct biosample-related tasks.

40%

Data entry and maintenance

Conduct data entry of research forms into electronic format databases, in Microsoft Excel, Access, and RedCap. Support the maintenance of participant contact databases of approximately 2,500 human subjects. Update subjects' study participation records, activities completed, and vital status. Provide input to Program Manager on assigned individual cases and report any issues, logging phone call and samples received by mail. Support PI and Program Manager with survey development by proof reading, fixing data and formatting the content of the survey for proper syntax, flow and structure of the survey. Support PI and Program Manager by archiving fieldwork data, assist in editing files and uploading to folder. Assist with running database maintenance checks to test for errors and usability. Report any errors to the Program manager.

35%

Research Administration Support

Assist Project Manager and Field Coordinator with research administration tasks, for example: managing supplies and handling purchase of office and research material, Human Resources paperwork and requests, UCLA Facilities requests, general requests to IT, IRB requests.  Maintenance of office physical spaces: regular light cleaning and keeping of desks, keyboards, mouses, telephones and other electronical equipment, and floors; submit requests for UCLA facilities for heavy cleaning services; keeping and cleaning of office cabinets. Participate in regular meetings with study staff and managers to share information and troubleshoot problems; provide summary reports on tasks as needed.

25%

•

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

Experience working in epidemiologic studies

Preferred

Experience conducting detailed health related interviews

Preferred

Ability to keep accurate, detailed and legible records of research data

Required

Ability to work with study participants with respect, sensitivity and maintain confidentiality of participant information

Required

Ability to use personal computer and software such as MS Office and RedCap

Preferred

Willingness to work flexible hours as needed, including occasional weekend hours, as needed for particular research activities

Required

Must be able to work independently and follow through with assignments with minimal supervision

Required

Demonstrated excellent written and verbal skills in English

Required

Demonstrated written and verbal skills in Spanish

Preferred

Strong interpersonal communication skills to effectively and diplomatically interact with others with completeness and organization

Required

Must be able to drive to research locations in rural counties of California

Required

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Other University Setting(s)

Location:

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

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

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

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.