Since 1984, Larkin Street Youth Services has been committed to helping San Francisco’s most vulnerable youth ages 12-24 move beyond street life. This commitment has fueled the development of a comprehensive continuum of services that is nationally recognized as a model of innovative and effective care. We offer stability, safety, and the opportunity for a better life.
Larkin Street’s continuum provides a range of housing options—from immediate emergency shelter to permanent supportive housing—in addition to essential wraparound services that offer kids the resources and skills they need to exit street life. Support services include education, technology and employment training; healthcare, including mental health, substance abuse, and HIV services; and case management.
Our success rate in helping kids get off the street testifies to a simple truth: Given safety, shelter, compassion, guidance, and enough positive options, kids can find their own solutions. We believe all youth deserve the chance to reach their full potential and contribute their best to the world.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary role of the Manager of Research and Evaluation is to support the evaluation, research, and dissemination goals of Larkin Street Youth Services. The Manager of Research and Evaluation’s chief responsibility is ongoing evaluation of program services. The Manager of Research and Evaluation also documents best practices and identifies emerging issues and trends among the youth served by Larkin Street Youth Services. An eye for detail and the ability to manage multiple projects is of key importance. The Manager of Research and Evaluation provides support in advancing Larkin Street’s policy and advocacy objectives. The Manager of Research and Evaluation will play an instrumental role in extending Larkin Street’s impact through the communication of the agency’s knowledge and best practices to a wider audience of service providers, policy-makers, funders, and other stakeholders.
CHARACTERISTICS
Candidates applying for this position will possess:
•Extreme passion for our agency’s mission •Exceptional organizational skills with reliability and consistency in work performance •Flexibility with a team player mentality •Ability to work with minimal to moderate supervision •An extreme focus on good judgment with a proactive approach to problem-solving •Ability to maintain a professional demeanor with great interpersonal and communication skills •Ability to multi-task with the capability to learn quickly and integrate efficiently
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•Maintain knowledge base in subject areas related to Larkin Street’s services including youth homelessness, child welfare, youth employment and education, HIV/AIDS, and behavioral health •Conduct data analysis to support evaluation, dissemination, and other agency functions •Work with the Chief of Research and Evaluation and members of the management team to develop outcome measurements for individual programs and the agency overall •Conduct literature reviews and synthesize information to support publishing and speaking goals •Assist with development of fact sheets, policy briefs, and other dissemination materials •Assist with tracking of local, state, and federal policy/legislative developments •Develop internal documents and talking points to inform recommendations and communications on legislative and policy issues •Synthesize information from conferences, workshops, conference calls and other information sharing opportunities to support department goals
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
•Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor and appearance at all times. •Perform tasks and responsibilities in a complete and timely manner, complying with agency policies and standards and conforming to the requirements of this job description. •Maintain a creative, team-building, cooperative approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks. •Maintain an awareness of the agency’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies. •Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the agency for the care and welfare of staff and to the youth in which we serve. •Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience. •Maintain the highest level of confidentiality. •Ability to work with a diverse staff and excel in a multi-cultural environment.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
•An ability to develop expertise in new issue areas quickly •Strong analytical skills and attention to detail •Solid knowledge of research methodology and techniques •Excellent written and verbal communication skills •Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently •Ability to translate academic research into salient policy messages
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
•Master’s degree in the social sciences or related field •Experience conducting statistical analysis •Experience with statistical analysis software •Experience with SPSS highly desirable •Experience working in a social service or non-profit setting highly desirable •Previous experience with program evaluation desirable •Previous experience supervising staff desirable •Must also have ability to work with diverse staff, clients, and volunteers
