Open Positions

https://apply.interfolio.com/184815

Case Western Reserve University: STUDENT EMPLOYMENT

Location

Open Date

Apr 14, 2026

Description

Position Overview

Position Type: Grant-Funded | Temporary

Duration: June 1 – September 30, 2026

Center: Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine

Location: CWRU Institute for Population and Community Health, Warren E. Anderson MidTown Collaboration Center, 1974 E. 66th Street, Suite 300, Cleveland, Ohio 44103-4888

Hours: 40 hours per week during summer term, 20 hours per week during Fall Semester.

Compensation:  Based on experience and CWRU student employment rate available here

Number of Positions: 1

Project Background

The Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health at Case Western Reserve University is supporting implementation of Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change efforts to increase healthy food choices and active living among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) consumers across Ohio. A core initiative within this work focuses on expanding and enhancing produce prescription programming infrastructure to better serve SNAP-eligible populations in Ohio.

The Research Assistant (RA) will provide critical support to the following project: Enhance Produce Prescription Infrastructure to Reach SNAP Recipients. This is a fast-paced, community-engaged evaluation project running through September 30, 2026.

Position Summary

Under the direction of a Project Manager, the Graduate Research Assistant will support the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of a multi-county technology-assisted produce prescription initiative in Ohio. This position offers hands-on experience in community-based participatory research, stakeholder engagement, app development feedback processes, and convening facilitation. The RA will work closely with the Project Manager and Research Lead and will collaborate with community partners, clinical providers, local growers, technology partners, and SNAP consumers across Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Mahoning, Lawrence, and Fayette counties in Ohio. The RA may also assist other activities within the Healthy Choices project as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement & Co-Design (Objective 1)

• Assist with recruiting and coordinating participation of up to 45 SNAP consumers and produce prescription stakeholders from 3 target Ohio counties
• Support the design and facilitation of feedback sessions (e.g., focus groups, interviews, or surveys) to gather input on functionality needs for adapting the Produce Path app for produce prescription use
• Document participant feedback systematically and prepare summaries for the project team
• Ensure participant engagement processes are culturally responsive and accessible to low-income populations
• Provide and document compensation for all participants

App Enhancement Coordination (Objective 2)

• Serve as a liaison between the research team and the technology firm responsible for enhancing the Produce Path app
• Synthesize stakeholder recommendations from Objective 1 into clear, actionable documentation for the technology team
• Track progress on app enhancements and assist with reviewing iterative updates to ensure alignment with stakeholder needs
• Maintain organized records of communications, timelines, and deliverables related to app development

App Satisfaction Evaluation (Objective 3)

• Assist with recruiting 15 SNAP consumers and produce prescription stakeholders from 3 Ohio counties for satisfaction feedback sessions on the enhanced Produce Path app
• Support data collection, entry, and preliminary analysis of satisfaction feedback
• Prepare summary reports documenting participant responses and key findings for the project team

Stakeholder Convening (Objective 4)

• Support the planning and logistics for a multi-stakeholder convening bringing together local growers, clinical providers, and SNAP consumers
• Assist with agenda development, participant outreach, venue or virtual platform coordination, and materials preparation
• Take detailed notes during the convening and assist with synthesizing key themes and identified pathways for integrating locally sourced fruits and vegetables into produce prescription programming in Ohio
• Contribute to post-convening reporting and dissemination of findings

Project Coordination & Reporting

• Track progress toward project objectives and success metrics, including:
  • Number of participants involved in co-design activities
  • Documentation of core features identified for the Produce Path app
  • Participant satisfaction feedback on integrated design features
• Maintain organized project files, timelines, and communication logs
• Attend regular team meetings and provide updates on task progress
• Assist with preparation of project reports, presentations, and other deliverables as needed

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a degree program at CWRU in Public Health, Nutrition, Social Work, Community Health, Health Promotion, Urban Studies, Communications, or a related field
• Strong interest in community nutrition, community-engaged research, or technology interventions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks within tight timelines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and/or Google Workspace
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with qualitative or mixed-methods research (e.g., focus groups, interviews, surveys)
• Familiarity with SNAP programming, food insecurity issues, or produce prescription models
• Experience working with low-income populations
• Knowledge of community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles and practices
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, event coordination, or community convening
• Familiarity with mobile app development feedback or user experience (UX) processes is a plus

Working Conditions

• Hybrid work environment (combination of in-person activities (3 days per week) and remote work (2 days per week)
• Some travel within Ohio may be required to support county-level stakeholder engagement activities in Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Mahoning, Lawrence, and/or Fayette counties. All travel costs will be compensated.
• Occasional evening or weekend availability may be needed to accommodate community stakeholder schedules.

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience and consistent with Case Western Reserve University graduate research assistant pay scales ($13.31 to $22.14). This is a grant-funded position for the duration of the project period (June 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026).

Interested candidates apply through interfolio by uploading the following:

1. Cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant experience
2. Current CV or resume
3. Contact information for two references

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working with a high degree of independence and under general direction, coordinate major activities to increase healthy food choices and active living among SNAP consumers in Ohio. The Project Manager GA will provide leadership to enhance Produce Prescription (PRx) Infrastructure to reach SNAP recipients throughout Ohio through engagements with statewide PRx stakeholders and SNAP consumers. Additionally, the manager will oversee the enhancement of the Produce Path app to support PRx programming. Key responsibilities include:

1. Development of Data Collection Protocol and Materials – Develop and implement co-design and interview protocols including IRB submission, co-design workshops and interview facilitation and data curation.  (50%)
2. Recruitment and Retention – Lead the recruitment and retention of study participants including engagement in data collection throughout Ohio. Establish clear yet flexible methods for building rapport and communicating with REACH implementors and study participants as well as community partners to promote engagement and retention. (20%)
3. Data analysis and implementation – Coordinate strategies to translate co-design findings into actionable app features for implementation.  Oversee app developers working to integrate recommended app features into the Produce Path app. (15%)
4. Dissemination – Contribute to the development of grant reports, data briefs, and presentations to translate and disseminate project findings. Provide support for a convening with local growers, clinical providers, and SNAP consumers to identify pathways for integrating locally sourced fruits and vegetables within produce prescription programming in Ohio. (15%)

This position directly advances the organization's mission of reducing food insecurity and improving community nutrition by building local capacity through targeted funding, evaluation, and strategic communication. By enhancing Produce Prescription infrastructure to reach SNAP recipients throughout Ohio, the role ensures access to healthy food environments across urban, suburban, and rural Ohio communities

Pay Range: $14.88 – $22.14

Education: Bachelor’s degree in field related to population health (e.g., public health, community nutrition, sociology, social work)

REQUIRED SKILLS 

• Community-engaged research and program evaluation expertise.
• Experience with qualitative research designs.
• Program management skills, ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.  Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and proven ability to successfully follow-through on assigned projects.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision to complete tasks.
• Capacity to facilitate institutional review board applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team environment.
• Strong, professional and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work and communicate with various individuals from a broad spectrum of disciplines, technical and educational backgrounds within the department, school and university, and with individuals outside the university.
• Ability to perform complex qualitative analyses and user experience research.
• Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Excel.
• Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

Upload your resume and cover letter to apply.