Research & Evaluation Manager

Company: First 5 Sonoma County
Location: Santa Rosa
Posted on: February 3, 2025

Job Description:

About First 5First 5 Sonoma County is an independent public agency, established under the California Children and Families Act of 1998 (Proposition 10) which funded a local First 5 Commission in every California county to build integrated and comprehensive systems of support for children, prenatal to five years. Through a voter-approved tobacco tax, First 5 promotes optimal child development through investments in health, early learning and family resiliency. Catalysts for systemic change, First 5 Sonoma County partners with school districts, the early care and education sector, the health care system, community leaders, the private sector and social service agencies. By working through partners with a focus on prevention, we are able to maximize our collective impact and cost-effectiveness, and leverage community resources with federal, state and grant dollars.SummaryReporting to the Deputy Director (DD), the Research and Evaluation Manager partners with staff, agency leadership and external consultants to ensure programmatic data collection and analysis to understand First 5 Sonoma County's impact; community engagement and trend monitoring to inform planning; and, reporting and presentation of data and impact to the Commission and other stakeholders. The Research & Evaluation Manager is responsible for all evaluation-related compliance and confidentiality standards, the development and implementation of evaluation plans, as well as field research and literature review. The Research & Evaluation Manager works with both internal and external entities, including First 5 Sonoma staff, consultants and First 5 Sonoma's funded partners.SupervisionThis position directly supervises Evaluation Analyst(s) and/or other support staff, contingent on available funding for the positions.Responsibilities

• Collaborate with and support the First 5 Sonoma program team, funded community partners, consultants and the Commission's Evaluation Committee to monitor the implementation, impact and continuous improvement of priority strategies identified and funded via the First 5 Sonoma County strategic plan via a Results Based Accountability framework.
• Collect information for and accurately complete Annual Report to First 5 California.
• Support the successful delivery of contractor scopes of work through monitoring of measurable deliverables in collaboration with First 5 Sonoma Program team.
• Procure and work effectively with external consultants to design and implement specified project evaluation measures and other contracted evaluation-related tasks.
• Monitor, compile, report and present relevant community-level trend and analysis data sets regarding children's well-being and findings from research related to early childhood development; share relevant information on trends and findings with staff, community stakeholders and Commission.
• Facilitate community engagement processes with parents, such as focus groups, surveys and interviews to inform Commission investments and program design.
• Work with consultants to manage the development, implementation, and maintenance of the agency's evaluation database(s) and data collection tools.
• Provide funded partners with training and support to ensure data collection, accurate and complete reporting processes and procedures to support impact evaluation.
• Support the Program Team with monitoring of contract program performance against projected performance to ensure that program objectives of funded programs and services are met; make recommendations for continuous improvement that aligned with best practice and emerging research in the field.
• In collaboration with Communications staff and Program Team, develop and disseminate an Annual Community Report, employing evaluation and data to tell the story of First 5's work, and the impact of local public investments in early childhood.
• Develop reports, literature reviews and other documents for agency leadership, Commission, legislative, governing, and advisory bodies, the public, and for publication and presentation at professional conferences.
• Other duties as assigned.Qualifications
  • Advanced degree preferred: MPH, MEd, MA, PhD
  • Strong background and demonstrated expertise regarding research and evaluation in the social service, educational and/or health fields.
  • Early childhood development content experience (early care and education, pediatric health with a prevention focus, special education, perinatal mental health/early relational health, etc.).
  • Strong understanding and experience applying dynamics of racial discrimination and poverty to disparities in health, school readiness, education and other outcomes for children and families.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Knowledge, skills and experience to develop professional reports and presentations using data visualization.
  • Comprehensive ability to center racial equity throughout the data lifecycle, (ie. planning, data collection, data access, algorithms/statistical tools, data analysis, reporting and dissemination).Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
    • Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method data analysis; preparation of clear, concise, and effective reports and recommendations
    • Ability to analyze complex problems, consider alternatives, project consequences and adopt appropriate solutions.
    • Exhibits initiative, integrity, and sound judgment; coordinate multiple activities; work with minimal supervision; organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on assignments; understand and follow oral and written instructions.
    • Ability to creatively address problems or challenges requiring analysis of multiple variables or situations, collect and analyze information, consider alternatives, and draw valid conclusions.
    • Knowledge of principles and practices of results-based accountability with an ability to provide insights and draw conclusions from evaluation data and other learnings.
    • Strong expertise utilizing data analysis and visualization tools, such as Microsoft Excel, Tableau, NVivo, etc.
    • Ability to communicate directly with transparency, fairness, and empathy.
    • Excellent time management and ability to communicate progress and realistic timelines. Ability to work at a methodical yet efficient pace, based on clear, detailed plans with realistic timelines.
    • Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external entities.
    • Ability to explain complex academic and statistical information to staff, Commission, and community partners.Physical and Sensory Requirements:The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
      • Mobility to work in a standard office environment and attend off-site meetings; mobility and manual dexterity to use standard office equipment and handle documents; vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone.
      • Mobility, flexibility, gross body coordination, and dexterity sufficient to stand, sit, walk, stoop, reach, bend, twist, and turn
      • Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally move up to 50 pounds
      • Ability to sit for extended periods of time.Work Environment
        • This job primary operates in a professional office environment.Benefits:We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. Other perks include generous paid time off, holiday pay, a 9/80 work schedule, and a family-friendly workplace policy. This is an opportunity to work with a dynamic team with the great purpose of supporting the community to give children age 0 to 5 the best start possible.How to Apply:If you meet these requirements and are ready to embark on an exciting new career opportunity, we'd like to hear from you! We ask all applicants to include a cover letter with their application.First 5 Sonoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law.
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Keywords: First 5 Sonoma County, Rancho Cordova , Research & Evaluation Manager, Executive , Santa Rosa, California