Action Researcher I

The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. As one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation, we are at the forefront of research and innovations to improve the efficacy of public health statewide, nationally, and internationally.

PHI was distinguished as one of the top 50 "Best Non-Profit Organizations to Work For" by the Non-Profit Times in a national search.

SUMMARY:

Serving in the role as the Action Researcher I, the Community Researcher I contributes to action research projects driven by the Youth Action Hub (www.youthactionhub.org), a program fiscally sponsored by the Public Health Institute (PHI). The Youth Action Hub (YAH) is a participatory action research hub and network driven by young people with lived expertise of housing instability, co-led by Dr. Heather Mosher, a senior researcher. YAH conducts rigorous research that has direct implications for policies and practice to transform social systems-advancing health, housing, and wealth equity for young people. YAH works closely with organizational and community partners across the state to translate research into solutions.

This is an entry-level position--previous work or research experience is not required. This role provides on-the-job training in conducting participatory action research to inform and advocate for change in policies and programs that improve the lives of young people who are living in unstable housing situations.

This is a regular part-time, 25-35% FTE position with a schedule of 10-14 hours/week. The starting FTE is to be determined upon hire.

This position is hybrid, with 90% of the time spent working remotely. Travel within Connecticut may be required for outreach or field data collection during the remaining 10% of the time.

This is a time-limited position that is expected to end on May 29, 2026. At PHI, a time-limited position is defined as regular employment with an expected end date of no more than one year from the beginning of the position. In rare circumstances, time-limited positions may be extended to a maximum total length of up to eighteen (18) months from the start of the employee's original time-limited position.

Full pay range for this position: $17.89 to $22.11 per hour. The hiring range for this position is from $20.00 to $20.00 per hour.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Complete trainings in:

• Basic research (e.g., developing research questions, designing research, developing instruments, collecting and analyzing data, disseminating research).
• Human research protection and adhere to all research protocols to protect research records and confidentiality.

Under guidance and hands-on training of the supervisor, practice and contribute to the following:

• Contribute to research activities (recruitment, interviews, surveys, data analysis) that support participatory action research projects defined by the team.
• Provide support to Youth Action Hub projects. This may include providing feedback and ideas, basic outreach and recruitment under supervision of the supervisor, and attending external community meetings that contribute to community partnerships with the objective of learning and contributing perspectives.
• After completing training, collaborate with partners in translating research to action (presenting findings, communications, dissemination, committee membership).
• Develop communications materials (e.g. flyers, social media posts, presentations, videos) to share project updates, research methods, and other content with partners and public audiences.
• Co-design novel solutions and prototypes to be tested.
• Keep a schedule, take notes, and communicate with the team.
• Participate in a weekly team meeting and one-on-one check-ins with a mentor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Lived experience and/or expertise relevant to the research area.

Other Qualifications

• Must care about helping others and making a positive difference in the lives of youth and young adults living in unstable housing situations.
• Able to work cooperatively with project staff and partnering organizations as a team member.
• Must be dependable.
• Access to technology for virtual meetings (for audio, video, and review/editing documents).
• Must be able to pass the background checks required for this position.

The Public Health Institute is committed to a policy that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and to make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment opportunity. To this end, the PHI will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are offered employment and employees are treated during employment without regard to these characteristics.

For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

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We're so pleased the Public Health Institute is an organization you would like to work with. Do you have questions about this opportunity? If so, email our recruitment team at Recruitment@phi.org.

Additional information about PHI's benefits and compensation offerings can be found here.

The Public Health Institute is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Recruitment Team at least 48 hours in advance at Recruitment@phi.org.