Date: September 2024
Title: Research Associate
Department: Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research & Education
School: Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
Location: Mandel Community Studies Center
Supervisor Name and Title: Jeff Kretschmar, Research Associate Professor, Managing Director
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research & Education is home to a multi-disciplinary team of
faculty, researchers, and training and technical assistance providers in many areas including violence
prevention, adult and youth mental health and substance use, youth and adult specialty courts, trauma, and
community-based evaluation. Working with a high degree of independence, the incumbent will carry out or
manage program evaluation projects in areas related to social behavioral science and the justice system on
various grant funded projects at the Begun Center, including the evaluation of Cuyahoga County Court of
Common Pleas Drug Court, a specialized docket designed to provide judicial intervention, treatment, and
intensive supervision to individuals who have committed criminal felonies as a direct or indirect result of their
substance use disorders.
The research associate will be responsible for collecting, entering, and organizing data from the Cuyahoga
County Drug Court. Data collection will be accomplished through structured interviews with Drug Court
participants who may suffer from addiction or mental health/trauma issues. The research associate will also
assist with other specialized docket evaluation projects both in Cuyahoga County and around Ohio. The
research associate will provide input and recommendations to the principal investigator regarding significant
developments in research projects; engage in project management across several court-based evaluations,
manage and code project data, conduct basic analyses, co-author reports and manuscripts; and meet regularly
with nonprofits, agencies, justice system partners, and other government agencies to provide information and
technical assistance.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Schedule, conduct, and finalize interviews with participants in drug court. Collaborate with drug court staff
and community agencies to organize interviews and manage other project-related tasks. (35%)
2. Organize and execute data collection, entry, cleaning, preparation, and management processes to
maintain high data quality. (20%)
3. Conduct basic statistical analyses of court-related data using SPSS or other statistical software. (15%)
4. Provide project support to the Principal Investigator on other youth and adult court-related evaluations
through project development, management, and organization, as well as data management, report
preparation, and writing. (30%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned.
May supervise students.
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with supervisor and research staff in the center.
University: Occasional contact with other departments.
External: Frequent contact with community partners, court staff, program participants.
Students: Occasional contact with student employees.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
No direct supervisory responsibility; may direct the work of students and research assistants.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience: Master’s Degree or higher in the social sciences or relevant field is required.
Experience working in funded evaluation/research, with non-profit and government or county agencies, or
conducting/participating in program evaluations is preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS
1. Ability to work closely with justice- and community-based agencies.
2. Highly organized with strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
3. Ability to collect data from and interview participants in court programs.
4. Ability to assist with both the development and execution of program evaluations.
5. Experience in Microsoft Suite (Word, Access, Excel), email and internet applications; familiar with statistical
packages such as SPSS, SAS, R Suite, etc.
6. Ability to work collaboratively in a small team environment.
7. Ability to work with general supervision while being highly self-motivated and self-directed.
WORKING CONDITIONS
General working conditions. May be required to attend evening and weekend meetings. Typical office
environment. Court data collection typically occurs in the courtroom or at a community-based agency. No
exposure to chemicals. This department is eligible for the CWRU Staff Hybrid Remote Work Program. Under
this program, the University permits hybrid remote work arrangements for eligible staff in certain departments.
Eligible staff in this department are currently permitted to work up to two hybrid work days per week after
successful completion of a three month orientation period.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT
In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and
Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities
are encouraged to apply.
For consideration, please forward CV/resume and cover letter to Jeff Kretschmar, jmk224@case.edu.