User Experience & Systems Improvement Officer

The School of Public Health division of Health Policy and Management is seeking applications for a full-time (100% appointment) User Experience and Systems Improvement Officer (8353PV - Research Professional 3 - Program Evaluation) to join the Research Data Assistance Center (ResDAC) team. This position is responsible for conducting evaluative research on the user experience for accessing ResDAC Assistance services and system/process improvement to better understand and improve the needs and experience of researchers accessing Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrative data for health care research. This position reports to the ResDAC Director, will work closely with the ResDAC leadership team, and will have regular contact with our Contract Officer at CMS, ResDAC staff, researchers accessing ResDAC services and support, and other CMS contractors.

The School of Public Health (SPH) is committed to antiracism and anti-oppression and welcomes you to join us in our pursuit of building equity and driving justice. We particularly encourage applications from those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in our School, including those who are American Indian, Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, veterans, and those from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Starting Salary Range: $70,721-$90,000 annually at 100% time dependent upon the selected candidate's relevant qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Work Arrangements: The University of Minnesota endorses "Work. With Flexibility." We offer a flexible work environment that meets the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and partners we serve. This position will have a hybrid, fully remote, or fully in-person work option. The incumbent may be asked to attend certain in-person work events or in-person meetings regardless of remote status. You will have some flexibility to choose your working hours during ResDAC's hours of operation 6:00am-6:00pm M-F, depending on project task activities and deliverables at a given time. Work arrangements will be discussed during the interview. Onsite location: Mayo Memorial Building, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455.

Center Description: The Research Data Assistance Center (ResDAC) is housed within the vibrant research community in the School of Public Health's division of Health Policy and Management. Among other functions, ResDAC primarily serves as an assistance desk for researchers interested in using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administrative data for research.

ResDAC is the initial point of contact for any researcher in the public, private, and government sectors who is seeking information about accessing and using CMS administrative data to study a broad range of topics such as health outcomes, health-related policy, and health economics.

ResDAC offers an opportunity to work independently and as part of a team in a supportive work environment. Staff have the ability to use and continue to develop research and data management skills working with complex data. Professional development and career growth opportunities are available to staff.

Position Summary: As a User Experience and Systems Improvement Officer, you will join our team of epidemiologists, public health specialists, health services researchers, biostatisticians, and health informatics specialists who have primary responsibility for providing advice and assistance to researchers across the country accessing CMS administrative data. You will receive training to learn about CMS programs, the use of CMS administrative data for research, and the process to request data for research purposes. Importantly, this position is oriented toward improving the process and experience for researchers (as well as ResDAC and CMS staff) in navigating the data request process and obtaining and using data.

Responsibilities include:

* Conduct user research, in consultation with the ResDAC Director, by means that may include surveys, focus groups, and/or individual interviews, to better understand the needs of researchers; this includes but is not limited to leading the collection, collation/management, and analysis of evaluation data (40%)
* Analyze current processes, identify areas for improvement, and recommend process changes designed to increase efficiency and productivity of the research data request process (25%)
* Develop recommendations for improvement of the complete data request process and have primary responsibility for the development of a comprehensive formal report to be presented to CMS as a contract deliverable (30%)
* Other duties may include creating educational materials to assist external researchers, ResDAC staff, CMS, and/or other CMS contractors with understanding the data request process (5%)

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required Qualifications:

* BA/BS degree plus at least 4 years experience , or a combination of education to equal at least 8 years, or a Master's degree plus 2 years work experience in areas that may include continuous quality improvement; organizational research or development; project management; evaluation science/program evaluation; organizational management; strategic planning consulting; and public/community relations
* Knowledge of public health and/or health services research
* Demonstrated experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research and/or program or process evaluations
* Ability to work effectively with people of varying professional backgrounds
* Ability to work both independently and in a team environment to prioritize tasks and manage workload effectively
* Ability to analyze evaluation data to effectively develop process improvement recommendations
* Demonstrated commitment to promoting a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace

Desired Qualifications:

* Experience with formal reporting/preparation of reports and other deliverable documents
* Experience conducting structured or semi-structured interviews and focus groups
* Experience with external contracting, contract/regulatory compliance, or tracking and ticketing systems
* Understanding of HIPAA and other data privacy regulations
* Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbal and written communication to include developing and presenting resources to diverse audiences
* Experience in effectively working with diverse cultures and populations

Are you excited about this job and meet the required qualifications, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every preferred qualification? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply because you just may be the right candidate for this role.

The University of Minnesota School of Public Health improves the health and wellbeing of populations and communities around the world by bringing innovative research, learning, and concrete actions to today's biggest health challenges. SPH includes four academic divisions and 29 internationally recognized centers and is home to roughly 1,025 students, 130 tenured/tenure-track and contract faculty, and 450 staff. SPH is a research powerhouse: #1 level of research funding per capita at UMN, #3 largest research portfolio at the UMN, #2 NIH funding among UMN schools and colleges, and $1.1M average grant funding per faculty member. The school is ranked nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, #6 public school of public health, and offers more than 20 leading master's, doctoral, and certificate programs, with its Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program ranked #2 and its Biostatistics program ranked #9.

Pay Range: $34.00 - $43.27/hour ($70,721 - $90,000 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 75%-100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please note: At this time, the University's employment site is limited in how it collects applicant demographic information. Applicants are encouraged to provide their preferred name and/or pronouns within their attached application materials.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required documents:

Resume
Cover letter

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).