Research Coordinator Position Overview:

Common Threads, a national nonprofit offering culinary and nutrition education programming, is seeking a part-time Research Coordinator who will have job responsibilities in three main areas: nutrition education program implementation, data collection for grant reporting and compliance, and program evaluation. This position requires 15-20 hours per week, working from home, but with regular visits to schools and community-based organizations for program support and data collection. 

Location requirements: 

The candidate must be located in El Paso, Texas and will report directly to the Senior Evaluation Manager, who is located in San Antonio, TX.

• This staff member will directly assist the local Program Manager with achieving local programmatic goals to sustain and expand nutrition programming with schools and community partners.  Additionally, this staff member will manage data collection through on-site and digital survey administration with child and adult program participants and will be responsible for data entry and reporting across various data management systems. For program evaluation, this staff member will participate in ad hoc projects that provide data insights to internal stakeholders for developing program and fundraising strategies.

Responsibilities: 

Data Reporting & Compliance

• Utilize Salesforce (Common Threads’ Customer Relationship Management software) and Qualtrics (an online survey tool and database) to input and report market-based program and survey data results
• Assist management with input for quarterly and annual reports
• Complete research proposals that permit Common Threads to implement evaluation tools at school sites, as required by districts
• Manage and administer program evaluation surveys, including consent and assent forms, with student and adult participants at schools and community-based partners

Program Implementation

• Provide support to Program Manager by assisting with planning and executing Common Threads core programs for teachers, students and families
• Oversee quality of programming through structured observations of lessons at select partner survey sites

Program Evaluation 

• Support the Senior Evaluation Manager and External Research Partner with the revision of post-surveys
• Assist the External Research Partner in customizing pantry and refrigerator lists
• Contribute to the creation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Collaboratively develop and submit an Internal Review Board (IRB) Protocol
• Support Research, Evaluation and Analytics projects, as assigned

The above statements are intended to describe the essential job functions of this role and are not an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel occupying this position.       

Qualifications:

This role will be a good fit for someone who is passionate about wellness, nutrition education, and cooking, and who seeks to make a positive impact in communities by promoting health through nutritious food and healthy diets for all.

Education: Associate degree required, bachelor’s degree preferred

Preferred backgrounds: Program management, program evaluation, survey implementation, data entry and light analysis, public health, nutrition, research, education, community relationship building, or community organizing 

Required skills: 

Teamwork 

• Flexibility and comfort in multi-tasking and adapting style of work
• Strong written & verbal communication 
• Analytical skills - ability to work with and report data
• Detailed and task-oriented
• Relationship-building and partnership management
• Planning and time management
• Relevant experience:
• Experience working with not-for-profit organizations preferred
• Experience working with culturally diverse audiences
• Level of autonomy for role: Medium to High
• Ability to work independently and remotely is critical for this role
• Transportation: Must have reliable transportation and be willing to travel locally

Computer skills: 

• Microsoft Word and Excel, Outlook and Google Drive documents 
• Experience with other software, including Qualtrics, Salesforce, Slack and Asana a plus

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a part-time position, approximately 15-20 hours a week, paid at $20/hour.
• This position is eligible for other benefits, including professional development opportunities, 16 hours of paid sick time, and access to the organization's Employee Assistance Program.

Additional Information: 

• Common Threads employees are subject to a background check prior to employment. 
• This is a part-time, non-exempt position that will primarily work Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am-5pm but some nights and/or weekends may be required. 
• This is a grant-funded position with an anticipated end date of July 2025, contingent upon funding renewal.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a home office as well as in schools and organizations in the community. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as a computer, phone, and files.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use close vision, distance vision, and be able to adjust focus; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and/or move supplies weighing up to 25 pounds. 

About Common Threads: 

Common Threads is a national leader in nutrition security - championing improved community health through the power of nutrition and food. For over two decades, Common Threads has been providing nutrition education, culinary skills training, and food access, all key nutrition security fundamentals, in an effort to both prevent and treat diet-related illness. In today’s society, the role that nutrition plays in overall health, as well as the importance of the culture of food itself (i.e. preparing, sharing, and community) in relation to well-being, is neglected, and Common Threads tackles those issues head on.

Operating in-person and digitally, Common Threads’ programs can be found in schools across the country, including the nation’s four largest public-school districts (New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami), as well as community organizations, medical institutions, and universities - with a priority impact focus on marginalized communities. To date the organization has established partnerships with over 2,200 schools, provided more than 5 million meals, and forged a pathway for long-term nutritional health for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit commonthreads.org. 

Common Threads EEO Statement:

Common Threads provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. Common Threads expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.