Technical Assistance Research Center (TARC) Research Associate

About National Council of Urban Indian Health

The National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) was founded to represent the interests of Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) before Congress and Federal agencies and influence policies impacting the health conditions experienced by urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). NCUIH is a 501(c)(3), membership-based organization devoted to supporting the development of quality, accessible, and culturally sensitive healthcare programs for AI/ANs living in urban communities. NCUIH provides advocacy, education, training, and leadership for urban Indian healthcare providers and represents UIOs funded through Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and the AI/ANs they serve.

Position Summary

The TARC Research Associate supports research, data systems and program evaluation across NCUIH's funded portfolio. Initial assignments include evaluation of a Humana project; evaluation of a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) project; and needs assessments and evaluations for Office of Minority Health (OMH) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects. This role will also provide assistance on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) project, and a Medication Management project. The Research Associate develops and maintains practical data tools, validates partner data, conducts supervised analysis, and prepares findings that help UIOs improve services. The role supports the Senior Vice President and designated research lead, who retain responsibility for evaluation design and technical approval.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Assist in developing and maintaining evaluation plans, measures, data dictionaries, encounter forms and standardized tracking templates with research leadership and participating partners.
• Assist a UIO partner organization in tracking referrals, warm handoffs, connection to care, response times and documented follow-up within 72 hours, using agreed definitions and authorized data.
• Validate submitted data monthly, check completeness and consistency, maintain a corrections log and follow up with partner data contacts.
• Maintain evaluation datasets and dashboard inputs; prepare quarterly findings and supporting material for semiannual and annual reports and quarterly SPARS reporting handled by a UIO partner organization.
• Support pre- and post-assessments of provider training and community 988 awareness; analyze outreach measures and progress against agreed performance targets.
• Conduct literature reviews and support surveys, interviews, focus groups, needs assessments and evaluations for other funded TARC projects.
• Perform descriptive quantitative analysis and qualitative coding under approved methods; prepare tables, charts and clear summaries with research leadership review.
• Coordinate data collection schedules, partner orientation and technical assistance on forms and reporting; share findings to improve tools and implementation.
• Protect confidentiality and Indigenous data sovereignty; use approved data-sharing, access, consent and secure storage practices and maintain accurate activity and effort records.
• Project management tasks and other duties as assigned.

Requirements and Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in public health, epidemiology, behavioral health, statistics or a research-related field, or equivalent relevant education and professional experience.
• At least two years of research, public health evaluation or data coordination experience, including data collection, cleaning and analysis.
• Experience with Excel, survey platforms and structured datasets; ability to document measures, validate records and produce reproducible descriptive summaries.
• Strong writing, organization and partner communication skills; ability to manage recurring data deadlines and follow approved evaluation methods.
• Ability to work respectfully with UIOs and American Indian and Alaska Native communities and apply
• confidentiality and community-informed data practices.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master's degree in public health or a related research field.
• Experience with behavioral health, HIV, diabetes-related projects; experience working on projects funded by: Indian Health Service (IHS), OMH, SAMHSA, CDC, HRSA. 
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis software, Qualtrics or comparable tools and Indigenous or community-based research. 

NCUIH Team Member Perks

• Annual Leave: 13 days a year, increases after 3 years, accrued bi-weekly
• Sick/Safe Leave: 13 days a year, accrued bi-weekly
• 12 paid holidays a year
• 100% employer-paid medical premiums for employee and one eligible family member, with a $0 deductible
• 100% employer-paid dental and vision premiums, including orthodontic coverage 
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Eligible employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• 403(b) participation with up to 5% employer match
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability
• Employer-paid life insurance valued at $50,000
• Optional employee-paid enrollment in AFLAC supplemental benefits

Work-Life Balance and Flexibility are vital to mental, physical, and spiritual health. NCUIH offers the following benefits

• Flexible remote work environment (unless specified in the job description)
• Flexible start times between 8 a.m.–10 a.m. ET
• Wellness Program, ShareCare, CloseKnit, gym membership discount programs, and virtual behavioral health programs
• Modern laptop equipment, supplies, and online tools to support an everyday virtual environment

 Job Status: Full Time

Location: Fully remote, with travel for regional institutes, the annual conference, and other required activities. Occasional evening or weekend event work may be required.

Salary: $61,00 - $66,000 annually