Research Communications Specialist

Organizational Overview:

Texans for Safe and Drug-Free Youth (TxSDY), located in Austin, TX, is the statewide nonprofit committed to putting an end to youth alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. We use collective impact and civic engagement strategies to build capacity for communities to advance public policy through advocacy and effective prevention strategies. We are a leader in advancing evidence-based strategies that result in large scale community change that prevent youth from beginning deadly habits. We do this work in partnership with local coalitions, colleges, state agencies, stakeholders, and other organizations with similar goals. TxSDY is a leader in the prevention field, known for our hard work, advocacy, and reliable, quality resources. Our team is passionate about the cause, expected to work hard and operate in a highly collaborative manner that includes effective and ongoing communication.

Position Overview:

The ideal candidate for this position is a passionate leader that will tie problems and solutions together with data. The position requires exceptional communication (both written and oral), critical thinking, teaching, and math skills. In this position, the Applied Research and Communications Specialist will support TxSDY’s staff and community partners by providing research, data analysis, and written materials (e.g., fact sheets, talking points, presentation slides, abstracts, etc.) for the organization’s programs - primarily from secondary sources. Working closely with staff and our partners this role requires a mix of attention to detail, organization, forward thinking, effective communication, and decision making to ensure community and grant needs are being met. This role contributes by assessing data, moving it “off the shelf” into compelling information that connects the audience to the heart of our work and drives our strategies forward. The job translates complicated information into usable, simple terms. This position requires strong quantitative and analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, interpret percentage-based metrics, and translate data into actionable insights. Essentially, this position engages the public by using storytelling to connect a problem to a solution.

We are looking for someone who:

• Highly analytical with strong quantitative aptitude.
• Detail-oriented with a keen eye for trends and patterns.
• Comfortable working with data, percentages, and statistical information.
• Able to synthesize numerical data into meaningful insights about substance use prevention.
• Naturally curious and skilled at uncovering underlying drivers.
• Committed to community change and engagement.

Essential Job Duties:

• Serve as a strategic thinker and work independently
• Utilize data to advance our organizational goals and strategies
• Conduct secondary research and synthesize findings into actionable insights.
• Create reports, fact sheets, issue briefs, maps, & online tools (e.g., dashboards, databases), presentations, and abstracts for a wide range of audiences
• Uses GIS, including ArcGIS and StoryMaps, to bring data to life
• Align data from multiple sources and aspects to provide a comprehensive community picture
• Identify disparities and negative consequences related to drug misuse and prevention strategies
• Develop and monitor strategies for measuring progress towards goals
• Review research literature for effective strategies
• Communicate data to train staff, community partners, and general public
• Work with external evaluator and other external partners
• Works within grant rules and deadlines
• Develops and/or serves as lead for material development; ensures materials are prepared for trainings, meetings, and events
• Conduct work with a great attitude and a servant leader mindset
• Other duties as assigned to carry out the goals and mission of the organization

Required experience and skills:

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred, in public health or similar field. Minimum 3-years of experience working with data in a similar role
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and draw actionable insights
• Excellent numerical reasoning and statistical analysis capabilities
• Track record of working successfully with the public/communities
• Track record of surveillance, investigations, data collection using primary and secondary sources
• Proficient in SAS, ArcGIS, online technology systems, Word, Excel
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple, complex projects in varying stages of development under time constraints
• Track record of writing and creating reports, documents, and/or materials for the public
• Ability to travel overnight for multiple days in a row
• Small non-profit experience highly preferred
• Must have a cell phone, driver’s license, and personal vehicle with applicable insurance
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds
• Commitment to organizational mission and ideology in order to effectively promote and advance the goals of our organization

Things to Consider:

• This position reports to the Director of Grants
• Salary: $54,000-$58,000 annually, dependent on experience. Most candidates should expect to fall in the middle of this range. Plus, health and retirement benefits.
• Hours: full-time, exempt employee; some nights and weekends. Travel required.
• Location: It is not necessary for the selected candidate to live in the Austin area. However, the selected candidate will be expected to travel to our Austin office for in-person meetings and work time.

To Apply:

• Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@TxSDY.org. Your cover letter should share how you will inspire others, your direct experience related to the position, and what you will add to our existing team.

We believe in a community where its members and corporate citizens share accountability for preventing youth substance use. We believe diversity and inclusion are key drivers of creativity and innovation. We welcome candidates who share our beliefs to apply for any role within our organization.

Health and retirement benefits offered.