Evaluation Fellowship in CDC's Division of Overdose Prevention

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

CDC Office and Location: A fellowship opportunity is currently available in the Division of Overdose Prevention (DOP), Prevention Programs and Evaluation Branch (PPEB), Program Evaluation Team at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the major operation components of the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC works to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.

Research Project: The selected participant will train with the Program Evaluation Team to support the Overdose Data to Action: Limiting Overdose through Collaborative Actions in Localities (OD2A: LOCAL) program by helping to coordinate evaluation technical assistance to funded jurisdictions. Technical assistance may include the development of evaluation technical resources and tools to help increase jurisdictions’ capacity to evaluate their efforts and provide tailored and ad hoc technical assistance to evaluators in jurisdictions to address their evaluation needs. When and where possible the fellow may also assist with identifying and sharing successful examples to inform overdose prevention programs. 

Learning Objectives: The selected fellow will have the opportunity to train in the following areas, depending on the specific skill set and interests of the selected candidate:

• Providing evaluation technical support/assistance to programs implementing novel strategies and approaches to preventing drug overdose
• Contributing to the development of an evaluation plan to understand the outputs, outcomes and impacts associated with overdose prevention efforts
• Identifying successful examples of overdose prevention strategies for sharing and creating tools for dissemination
• Analyzing and interpreting both qualitative and quantitative data and coming up with creative ways to disseminate data for information sharing. This may include data visualization, info graphics, or webinars.
• Contributing to manuscripts, abstracts, and other communications materials
• Contributing to the development and deployment of new virtual resources, trainings, and modules to support culturally responsive evaluation and the prevention of overdoses
• Supporting evaluation projects through development of resources and provision of technical assistance
• Directly collaborating with key partners, such as health departments and key non government organizations
• Participating in the coordination of activities by the Division and partners engaged in overdose prevention

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Amanda Gellar (xym3@cdc.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 26, 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.CDC.NCIPC@orau.org  and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred skills/experience:

• • Strong experience with program evaluation, including developing evaluation plans, evaluation questions and indicators, and logic models
• • Experience or knowledge with providing technical assistance or technical support to other entities
• • Experience in program development, training, and implementation
• • Experience or knowledge of equity-based evaluation (e.g., culturally responsive and racially equitable evaluation)
• • Experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis, data visualization, and knowledge translation
• • Proficiency with oral and written communication skills, including scientific writing
• • Demonstrated track record of collaborating effectively across disciplines, community environments, and sectors (e.g., federal agencies, state and local health departments)
• • Demonstrated skills with Microsoft Office (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and project management tools Additional preferred skills:
• • Someone who is proactive, well-organized, and adaptable to changing priorities
• • Team player who shows up as their authentic self
• • Knowledge of state and local health department systems a plus
• • Experience or knowledge in drug overdose and prevention or a related area

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Academic Level(s): Postdoctoral or Post-Master's.