Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.

Job Summary:
Westat has an immediate opening for a Principal Research Associate to join our behavioral health and health policy team. In this role you will work on and guide federal behavioral health initiatives focused on mental health and substance use prevention and treatment. You will lead proposal development for new opportunities relevant to behavioral health and work on existing federal contracts.

In this dynamic and highly collaborative role, you will use your experience with federal contracts and work closely with Westat leadership and multi-disciplinary project teams to lead, develop, and manage research projects focused on behavioral health financing and service delivery. Expertise conducting quantitative health services research is essential for this position.

A hybrid work arrangement with 1-2 days on-site at a Westat office location is preferred, remote work arrangements will be considered.

Job Responsibilities:

Lead teams that will conduct behavioral health financing and services research.Engage with clients to establish relationships, manage expectations and ensure effective communication.Apply content knowledge of behavioral health (e.g., financing of behavioral health services, service delivery systems, evidence-based practices, workforce development, state and federal behavioral health policy) to lead development of varied research products for different audiences.Collaborate with team members to develop project plans, communicate project status updates, and meet project goals and timelines.Manage, mentor and direct junior staff.Lead/participate in proposal writing and other business development activities.Basic Qualifications:A Ph.D. in social sciences with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at the post PhD level.Demonstrated experience designing, conducting and managing quantitative behavioral health research projects.Demonstrated experience with content knowledge in mental health and/or substance use prevention and treatment.Demonstrated experience in leadership positions on federal task orders, grants and/or contracts, managing federal research contracts or projects.Demonstrated project management experience/task coordination and/or cooperative agreements.Demonstrated experience using health care claims data in behavioral health research studies.Preferred Qualifications:Experience working on research contracts with Federal agencies (especially SAMHSA and/or other HHS departments).Experience writing research reports and manuscripts, and the development of related plain-language products for multiple audiences.Experience coaching and managing individuals or teams.Demonstrated professional writing skills.Flexibility and ability to multitask and manage multiple projects simultaneously.Other Required Qualifications:Demonstrated communication skills.Collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients.Organization skills, including time management ability.Detail oriented.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

Employee Stock Ownership Plan401(k) Retirement PlanPaid Parental LeaveVacation Leave (20 days per year)Sick Leave  (10 days per year)Holiday Leave  (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays per year)Professional DevelopmentHealth AdvocateEmployee Assistance ProgramTravel Accident InsuranceMedical InsuranceDental InsuranceVision InsuranceShort Term Disability InsuranceLong Term Disability InsuranceLife and AD&D InsuranceCritical Illness InsuranceSupplemental Life InsuranceFlexible Spending AccountHealth Savings Account

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.
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