Research Assistant, Department of Psychology

Advertising Summary: 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.

Unit: College of Humanities and Sciences

Department: Psychology

Department Summary: The VCU Clark-Hill Institute for
Positive Youth Development is a university-level center that
includes an interdisciplinary team of faculty from the Departments
of Epidemiology and Community Health, Psychology, and Special
Education and Disability Policy. The Institute’s activities include
research; undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral training; and
community engagement. The Institute is one of five National Centers
of Excellence for Youth Violence Prevention funded by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.

Duties & Responsibilities:

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.

Qualifications:

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.

Salary Range: $20 - $29

Benefits : All VCU employee types are eligible for a wide
array of benefits to support you during your employment at VCU.
Consult the benefits website
for information on benefits eligibility according to employee
type.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 6 - 20

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 34062N - Research Coordinator 2