Research Assistant, Department of Psychology

The Clark-Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development in the Department of Psychology is hiring multiple research assistants for a community-based project aiming to promote positive youth development. Healthy Communities for Youth is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is part of the CDC Youth Violence Prevention Center network. The project consists of several community-level youth violence prevention strategies that have been implemented in Richmond city communities. As part of the evaluation of this project, we are conducting a community survey. We are currently hiring research assistants to assist with the community survey data collection, which is ongoing and anticipated to continue until late spring/early summer of 2027.

The research assistants will work in communities, on campus, and remotely for specific activities to recruit study participants and facilitate data collection activities involving sensitive, confidential information. Community survey data collection primarily involves going into three selected communities to distribute flyers, speak with residents, and recruit participants using safety procedures that are aligned with current university guidelines. Phone and other data collection activities may be conducted from the office and/or from your home.

The responsibilities of research assistants include, but are not limited to, the following:

• →Traveling to community locations in the participating communities and neighborhoods to identify and recruit potential eligible participants.
• →Introducing the study to parents/caregivers of eligible school-aged youth, and young adults.
• →Conducting the informed consent and assent process in-person or by phone.
• →Conducting phone surveys with participants who request them in lieu of the online survey.
• →Maintaining accurate and appropriate documentation following an established study protocol and human subjects protection standards and guidelines as set forth by the funding agency and the VCU Institutional Review Board.
• →Participating in staff meetings and trainings.
• →The hours that assessment staff work are varied, both in the total number of hours per week and when they work.
• →This is an hourly position averaging 6-20 hours per week with a requirement to work some weekend hours. Specifically, most data collection work is done in the afternoons through early evening and on weekends.

Minimum Qualifications

• Previous research or community service work experience.
• Minimum of one-year experience working in community service, health, education, or social service sector.
• Possess good interpersonal skills: in-person, by phone, and in writing.
• Comfortable communicating with residents by phone, email, and/or text and in their homes and communities.
• Ability to adapt and adjust to changing work plans and environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, or a related discipline).
• Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to complete work accurately and independently.
• Flexibility to work some evening and weekend hours, and some holidays.
• Comfortable using basic computer, mobile, and virtual technology, and familiarity with G-Suite, especially Google drive, docs, sheets, and forms.
• The ideal candidates will have some research and community work experience and be comfortable working with underserved populations.
• Have a strong passion and commitment to improving the quality of life for youth and families living in the Richmond community.