Senior Research and Evaluation Specialist - Custody Health Services

Salary : $135,156.32 - $164,361.60 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-P7E-B
Department: Santa Clara Valley HHS - Custody Health Services
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 92

Description
Under general direction, to plan, organize, and direct the activities focused on research and evaluation of an agency/department's program and service performance outcomes; to develop and validate new service technologies and best practice models of service delivery; and to establish partnerships with other agencies, departments, universities, and organizations to share and leverage research resources as appropriate.
This recruitment is for one (1) Senior Research and Evaluation Specialist position available in Custody Health Services.

• 1 full-time position; day shifts

For more information, contact CHS HR at chs-hr@hhs.sccgov.org

Selected candidate(s) must be able to work in a correctional facility, which requires passing a background check for security clearance.
Custody Health Services (CHS) provides medical, mental health, and dental services to patients in custody at the four County detention facilities: Main Jail, Elmwood, Juvenile Hall, and James Ranch. On-site routine and urgent/emergent medical services are provided at both Main Jail and Elmwood adult jail facilities in Santa Clara County. Health care of incarcerated patients includes care of acute and chronic illness as well as preventative and specialty care. CHS also operates a 40-bed acute psychiatric inpatient housing unit at the Main Jail facility for incarcerated adults who require acute inpatient services for stabilization. Juvenile Custody Health Services provides integrated medical services including comprehensive pediatric medical, mental health, and dental care to justice-involved youth housed in Juvenile Hall and James Ranch.
Typical Tasks
The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Leads applied research, evaluation, and assessment studies, as well as cost-benefit analysis on various agency departmental programs/services and community needs, to increase knowledge to support recommendations for best practices for agency programs and services;

• Assists management in defining appropriate research and evaluation agendas, goals, and measures required to implement and evaluate program services;

• Implements funded research and evaluation studies in compliance with funding agency standards;

• Assists with the preparation and submission of Institutional Review Board proposals;

• Develops and manages research and evaluation grants and contracts;

• Applies expertise to select appropriate research and evaluation designs including data sampling methods, and collection procedures, and analytical strategies;

• Functions as a project lead and may supervise a small number of staff in activities related to research and evaluation;

• Coordinates or directs monitoring and evaluations of departmental and contracted services, including the development of designs, criteria, and procedures;

• Identifies grant opportunities and grant preparation for research, evaluation, needs assessment, and outcome measurement projects, based on agency needs;

• Acts as the principal liaison with grant writers and collaborates with principals in other agencies to support grant writing activities;

• Oversees preparation of reports and presents findings on research and evaluation results for various audiences and submits manuscripts to peer-reviewed publications and/or conferences;

• Acts as a departmental resource on questions related to relevant research projects;

• Maintains on-going liaison relationship with local governments, community organizations, planning agencies, and private groups;

• Monitors compliance with terms of grants received in collaboration with other program and finance staff;

• Assists in selection, supervision, direction, and evaluation of staff, and ensures their orientation, training, and development;

• Research studies using qualitative and quantitative methods, including but not limited to regression analysis, weighting techniques, imputation, advanced modeling, interviews, focus groups, and participatory methods;

• Conducts structured literature reviews and policy analysis using academic databases and mainstream search engines on topics relevant to the research and evaluation study;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards
Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a Master's Degree or higher in Business Administration, Biostatistics, Criminal Justice, Epidemiology, Health Services, Public Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Work, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.

and

Three (3) years of full-time experience conducting research, evaluation, or related activities in an academic or professional setting. Experience must include completion of one (1) academic or professional research project, the findings of which were disseminated through publication, and participation in one (1) professional presentation.
A Doctoral Degree in Business Administration, Biostatistics, Criminal Justice, Epidemiology, Health Services, Public Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Work, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
Special Requirements

• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.

• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of government organization and administration;

• Principles and techniques of fiscal and program management;

• Principles and techniques of management, supervision, and training;

• Current trends in National, Federal, State, and local field-relevant research and evaluation methodologies in relation to programs, policies, and/or services;

• Researching funding sources and writing persuasive grant proposals;

• Best practices, evidence-based practices, and web-based resources, including command of the empirical literature and policies relevant to the field of practice;

• Quantitative and qualitative research methods, including research design, interviewing protocols, instrument design, sampling, data collection, etc.;

• Database conventions and performance measures;

• Standard and statistical software applications;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;

• Common computer applications, including word processing and spreadsheets;

• Principles and methods of advanced statistical modeling, such as multivariate regression analysis, categorical data analysis, structural equation modeling, etc.

Ability to:

• Lead research and evaluation studies and collaborate with directors and managers of County agencies and departments in defining research objectives;

• Use research findings to recommend evidence-based best practices for agency programs and services and to make informed policy recommendations;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;

• Write, present, and negotiate grant applications;

• Conceptualize research study from development of research question to analytic strategies and presentation of findings;

• Analyze, interpret, prepare, and present data related to research and evaluation findings to a broad audience, including peer-reviewed publications;

• Use qualitative and quantitative research methods in applied public and direct service settings;

• Initiate, plan, and complete work assignments with a minimum amount of supervision;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedDo you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School or GED equi