Community and Labor Center FLSP Junior Research Specialist

On behalf of the UC Merced Community and Labor Center, the Junior Specialist will conduct research for the USDA Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection (FLSP) Pilot Program. Under the supervision of the PI, the Junior Specialist will contribute to the creation of a survey instrument. The Junior Specialist will schedule, prepare for and conduct survey interviewer trainings with community-based organizations in California and several other states; and liaise with and respond to the needs of grassroots organizations partnering on community-engaged research. The Junior Specialist will conduct qualitative one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with farmworkers and employers, travelling across California and to several different states if needed. The Junior Specialist will assist with cleaning data, conduct data analysis, and contribute to the writing of any research results.

Research on rural work, workplace health & safety, immigrant rights and the safety net, and/or equitable economic development. Under the supervision of the Executive Director of the Community and Labor Center, the associate specialist will conduct data collection, analyze data, and co-author fact sheets, briefs and/or reports.

Research, Data Collection and Analysis and Writing (90%)

Contribute to the creation of a survey instrument.

Conduct survey interviewer trainings with community-based organizations in California and several other states.

Conduct qualitative one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with farmworkers and employers, in California and several other states.

Assist with cleaning data

Conduct data analysis

Contribute to the writing of any research results.

Public Service (10%)

Schedule survey interviewer trainings with community-based organizations in California and several other states.

Liaise with and respond to the needs (e.g. processing forms and agreements) of grassroots organizations partnering on community-engaged research.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in community studies, labor studies, environmental studies, or a related field; or more than four years of research experience.

Proven systematic organizational skills to a) work independently with minimal supervision, b) determine workload priorities and tasks to complete work in a timely manner, and c) identify and resolve problems.

Experience working with or alongside grassroots organizations.

Experience conducting semi-structured interviews.

Experience utilizing qualitative and quantitative data analysis software.

Ability to communicate, write and edit with strong attention to detail and quality control, for scholarly, policy, and popular audiences.

Demonstrated written, oral, and visual communication skills to translate data and policy issues for scholarly, policy, and popular audiences.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (https://cie.ucmerced.edu/analytics-hub/student-statistics), UC Merced is committed to interdisciplinary excellence in research and teaching as well as to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced provides outstanding educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California. The Merced 2020 Project doubled the physical capacity of the campus, and enhanced academic distinction, student success, and research excellence (https://merced2020.ucmerced.edu/).

The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy.