Principal Research Associate - Food and Nutrition - Westat
Rockville, MD
About the Job
27477BR
Job Title:
Principal Research Associate - Food and Nutrition
Location:
MD - Rockville
Job Description:
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.
Westat has an immediate opening for a Principal Research Associate to join our team of leading food and nutrition researchers, evaluators, policy analysts, and technical assistance providers. Our work supports the USDA Food and Nutrition Service in the administration of federal nutrition assistance programs, in addition to other federal, state, and nonprofit clients. As a Principal Research Associate at Westat, you will direct projects, design, and carry out technical assistance, policy support and research tasks, contribute to the strategic direction of the team, and build new business. The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The successful candidate will be experienced in food and nutrition assistance programs policy, operations, and research in a federal government and/or state government setting.
This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (1 day per week onsite, flexible hours) and remote work arrangements will also be considered. Some travel for team meetings, project work, and conferences may be required. Westat's headquarters is currently in Rockville, Maryland but will be relocating to Bethesda, Maryland in the fall of 2025.
Job Responsibilities:
• Lead policy support and technical assistance projects and tasks, including legislative and regulatory analysis, policy briefs, compliance reviews, process improvement initiatives, trainings, and toolkits to help operationalize policy, reduce errors, and improve service delivery.
Support qualitative and/or quantitative research tasks, including evaluation design, instrument development, data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Serve as a subject matter and/or methodological expert across projects.
• Oversee the work of team members and ensure the highest quality for deliverables.
• Oversee and monitor project costs and financial performance.
• Manage client relationships.
• Lead and participate in business development activities, including capture planning and proposal development and delivery.
Basic Qualifications:
• Typically requires a master’s degree in public policy, public health, social science, or a related field and 8 years of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. in public policy, public health, social science, or a related field, and 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience managing federal contract budgets, schedules, and project teams.
• Experience reviewing program policies and operations, including collecting and analyzing qualitative and/or quantitative data.
• Demonstrated experience working with SNAP, WIC, NSLP/SBP, and other federal nutrition assistance programs.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Strong writing skills with substantial track record of publications and presentations in the areas of food and nutrition.
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 Plan
+ 401(k) Retirement Plan
+ Paid Parental Leave
+ Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
+ Sick Leave (10 days per year)
+ Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
+ Professional Development
+ Health Advocate
+ Employee Assistance Program
+ Travel Accident Insurance
+ Medical Insurance
+ Dental Insurance
+ Vision Insurance
+ Short Term Disability Insurance
+ Long Term Disability Insurance
+ Life and AD&D Insurance
+ Critical Illness Insurance
+ Supplemental Life Insurance
+ Flexible Spending Account
+ Health 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.
#LI-WST1 #REMOTE
Job ID:
27477BR
Career Area:
Research
Pay Range:
The anticipated salary range for this role will be 140-160k and will be commensurate with experience.
Bonus Eligibility:
Yes
Job Title:
Principal Research Associate - Food and Nutrition
Location:
MD - Rockville
Job Description:
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.
Westat has an immediate opening for a Principal Research Associate to join our team of leading food and nutrition researchers, evaluators, policy analysts, and technical assistance providers. Our work supports the USDA Food and Nutrition Service in the administration of federal nutrition assistance programs, in addition to other federal, state, and nonprofit clients. As a Principal Research Associate at Westat, you will direct projects, design, and carry out technical assistance, policy support and research tasks, contribute to the strategic direction of the team, and build new business. The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The successful candidate will be experienced in food and nutrition assistance programs policy, operations, and research in a federal government and/or state government setting.
This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (1 day per week onsite, flexible hours) and remote work arrangements will also be considered. Some travel for team meetings, project work, and conferences may be required. Westat's headquarters is currently in Rockville, Maryland but will be relocating to Bethesda, Maryland in the fall of 2025.
Job Responsibilities:
• Lead policy support and technical assistance projects and tasks, including legislative and regulatory analysis, policy briefs, compliance reviews, process improvement initiatives, trainings, and toolkits to help operationalize policy, reduce errors, and improve service delivery.
Support qualitative and/or quantitative research tasks, including evaluation design, instrument development, data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Serve as a subject matter and/or methodological expert across projects.
• Oversee the work of team members and ensure the highest quality for deliverables.
• Oversee and monitor project costs and financial performance.
• Manage client relationships.
• Lead and participate in business development activities, including capture planning and proposal development and delivery.
Basic Qualifications:
• Typically requires a master’s degree in public policy, public health, social science, or a related field and 8 years of relevant experience; or a Ph.D. in public policy, public health, social science, or a related field, and 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience managing federal contract budgets, schedules, and project teams.
• Experience reviewing program policies and operations, including collecting and analyzing qualitative and/or quantitative data.
• Demonstrated experience working with SNAP, WIC, NSLP/SBP, and other federal nutrition assistance programs.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Strong writing skills with substantial track record of publications and presentations in the areas of food and nutrition.
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 Plan
+ 401(k) Retirement Plan
+ Paid Parental Leave
+ Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
+ Sick Leave (10 days per year)
+ Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
+ Professional Development
+ Health Advocate
+ Employee Assistance Program
+ Travel Accident Insurance
+ Medical Insurance
+ Dental Insurance
+ Vision Insurance
+ Short Term Disability Insurance
+ Long Term Disability Insurance
+ Life and AD&D Insurance
+ Critical Illness Insurance
+ Supplemental Life Insurance
+ Flexible Spending Account
+ Health 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.
#LI-WST1 #REMOTE
Job ID:
27477BR
Career Area:
Research
Pay Range:
The anticipated salary range for this role will be 140-160k and will be commensurate with experience.
Bonus Eligibility:
Yes
Source : Westat
