Evaluation Specialist

Description

The Evaluation Specialist designs and implements evaluation plans and conducts evaluation analyses to measure and demonstrate program impact and outcomes, monitors First 5 Alameda County (Agency) funded programs and partners providing services and informs continuous program improvement and strategic planning efforts. 

• Collaborates with leadership to develop the overall evaluation and accountability framework design for the Agency including evaluation principles and best practices, including both the qualitative and quantitative evaluation components of the framework 
• Designs and conducts special evaluation projects, including literature review, evaluation design, development of instruments, data collection, data analysis, report writing, and communicating results 
• Supports project management and oversight of both internal and external research and evaluation projects under Leadership’s supervision  
• Recommends program or service delivery changes in collaboration with staff and external partners to ensure evaluation projects are designed and appropriately and effectively carried out  
• Develops and provides training and technical assistance to build the capacity of staff and partners, contractors, and grantees to engage in results-based accountability and continuous quality improvement 
• Develops and maintains relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and government agencies as needed to carry out evaluation plans 
• Analyzes current research on the effectiveness of evidence-based programs, evaluates the impact on evaluation plans and strategies, and recommends appropriate changes 
• Participates in agency strategic planning process, with a focus on needs assessment (internal and external) and development of programmatic recommendations based on evaluation data 
• Facilitates cross-divisional evaluation conversations, and supports Agency Officers, Senior Administrators, and Data Analysts with data development and data collection within divisions 
• Develops reports for the agency leadership, the Commission, and for publication and presentation at professional conferences 
• Supports logistics, communication with stakeholders, organization, maintenance of records, and other administrative functions related to research and evaluation projects 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: 

• Minimum nine years of full-time progressively responsible related experience in a public or private organization 
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in a related field may be substituted for 4 years of experience. A Master’s degree may be substituted for an additional year of experience. 

Knowledge of:  

• Principles of result-based accountability, mixed-methods evaluation (qualitative and quantitative), research best practices, and data analysis with a lens toward policy impacts 
• Program evaluation and quality assurance methodologies 
• Participatory research and evaluation study designs  
• Principles and practices of strategic and operational planning 
• Practices and techniques of conducting needs assessments, data analysis, and report preparation 
• Knowledge of one or more specific content areas in early care and education, child development, early childhood mental health, parenting education/support, maternal child health, provider capacity building approaches, and public policy 
• Cross-cultural sensitivity 
• Principles and practices of contract negotiation, development, and management 
• Budgetary and contract administration practices 
• Principles and practices of planning and project management 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Office 365 preferred 
• Prefer knowledge of Power BI, R, SPSS or other statistical software 

Ability to: 

• Establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with a wide range of professionals including but not limited to, F5AC staff, partnering agencies, community partners and providers 
• Demonstrate experience and leadership in designing and conducting sophisticated program evaluation studies and analyses 
• Evaluate program and service delivery, applying data to identify programmatic and/or operational issues, and form valid conclusions and recommendations for improvement 
• Effectively communicate evaluation needs, concepts and conclusions both in written and verbal communications 
• Plan and organize work to ensure organizational and project goals are achieved 
• Assess provider capacity building needs, develop and provide trainings and presentations to diverse audiences 
• Plan, facilitate, and contribute to group meetings and focus groups effectively 
• Effectively represent the agency in meetings, work collaboratively with community agencies and stakeholders 
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing including complex data issues clearly and effectively, to staff, the Commission, partners, and the public, including ability to write and produce reports 
• Promote teamwork and integration within and across the agency 
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in a variety of contexts 
• Read, analyze, and interpret common professional publications, legislative or policy documents, financial reports and related agency documents and information 
• Plan and project manage work to ensure organizational goals are achieved 
• Work with leadership to develop a wide variety of short- and long-range plans 
• Analyze, develop, and monitor budgets 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff throughout the Agency 
• Facilitate groups and manage meetings effectively 
• Adapt, with minimal or no advance notice, to changes in agency operations and work assignments or procedures 
• Define and creatively address problems or management challenges requiring analysis of multiple variables or situations, collect and analyze information, consider alternatives, and draw valid conclusions 

Please note:

• We are working a hybrid in-office schedule and may return full-time at an undetermined date.
• All First 5 employees must live and work in California.
• The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $139,900 and as an independent government agency, the posted salary is the set salary range for this position. We cannot offer salaries above this posted range.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County believes every child in Alameda County should have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential. Through innovative programs and policy advocacy, we help provide children and their families access to resources that support their first five years of development.

Join our mission-driven team that in partnership with the community, supports a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves peak years of child development.

First 5 Alameda County Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package with health care options to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage, $1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Plan and more.

We also offer paid vacation, paid time off and sick time. We have 17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as paid time off.