University of Minnesota Hiring for Research Professional at Minneapolis, MN  Full Time

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health is seeking a full-time Community Health Worker (CHW) to support a NIH grant entitled, “Targeting Family Meal Quality and Quantity to Reduce Childhood Obesity Using Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) and Video Feedback”. The study intervenes with families with young children around their family meals using innovating technology (i.e., ecological momentary intervention and video feedback) and in-person education. This is a 5-year grant that is funded through the end of 2025 and will report to the Intervention Director.

This position will work on a team of CHWs who will work with 500+ families across the Twin Cities providing a 6-month intervention around improving the quality and quantity of family meals, using motivational interviewing and SMART goal setting. Some families will receive the intervention 100% virtually and others will receive a combination of virtual and in-person visits. Virtual visits will all take place out of the study’s office on the East Bank campus of the University of Minnesota. Therefore, this position is not expected to have any remote (i.e., from the candidate’s home) work. Additionally, because this study intervenes with families, all visits will need to occur when the family is available. Afternoon/evening and weekend visits are what we expect families to request.

Key Responsibilities:

55%: Engaging with families in intervention visits, tracking study progress, and retention:

• Meet with families virtually and in-person at family’s homes and deliver intervention around improving the quality and quantity of family meals.
• Effectively work with people from diverse backgrounds in reducing barriers to having family meals and healthy home environments.
• Develop rapport with children and families to ensure a positive research experience.
• Serve as main contact and follow-up with assigned participants in between visits to provide support.
• Create RedCap surveys and/or tracking forms for documenting work with families including scheduling visits and post-visit tasks.
• Document visit activities and feedback and maintain accurate and organized program records.
• Continuously expand knowledge of community resources related to social determinants of health for intervention participants.
• Communicate effectively with the Intervention Director and Principal Investigator on a regular basis regarding updates and progress with families and any or all issues related to job responsibilities.
• Engage proactively in problem solving issues with families including scheduling visits, recording meals, and participant retention.
• Other duties as assigned.

20%: Preparing for intervention visits:

• Create and continuously update intervention materials for visits, including translating into Spanish.
• Review materials from intervention visits (e.g., video-recorded family meals) and prepare feedback for families.
• Regularly check in with families regarding progress, scheduling visits, and meals.
• Assist families with identifying necessary resources, such as food assistance.
• Develop materials for intervention visits such as digital learning activities, power point interactive slides, or Canva retention materials.

10%: Serve as staff trainer in SMART goal setting and motivational interviewing approaches:

• Maintain expertise in using SMART goal setting and teach other CHWs to help families set behavioral goals surrounding main study learnings.
• Maintain expertise in using motivational interviewing tools and teach other CHWs to engage families during program visits and address behavior change.
• Identify best practices for using SMART goal setting and motivational interviewing with families from diverse backgrounds.
• Continuously update their knowledge and certification in using SMART goal setting and motivational interviewing tools and techniques and serve as main reference for most up-to-date strategies and recommendations for utilizing SMART goal setting and motivational interviewing approaches.

5%: Serve as team lead for retention efforts for families randomized into the study:

• Continuously refine protocols for participant tracking and locating hard-to-reach participants.
• Stay up-to-date on retention strategies in the field and train community health workers with retention issues as thee come up.
• Lead weekly team meetings dedicated to participant retention efforts.

10%: Study operations support:

• Prepare regular updates for study team meetings, as needed.
• Promptly communicate critical observations to study team leads, as required.
• Ensure meticulous study documentation according to protocols and notable modifications or significant study events that may occur during implementation.
• Take notes at research meetings and track agenda items.
• Conduct literature reviews in support of manuscripts, grants, and other tasks as needed.
• Prepare materials for presentations, publications, and grants, such as figures or tables.
• Ensure compliance with human subjects, HIPAA, and other regulations.

All required qualifications must be included in the application materials

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• BA/BS or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 4 years in a social/behavioral science, public health, social work or similar field.
• Availability late afternoons/early evenings (minimum of 2-3 evenings per week) and some weekend hours as needed.
• Spanish fluency.
• Experience working with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
• Working with people on health behavior change (e.g., eating, activity, chronic disease).
• Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills. This person will manage a caseload of families who are in different phases of the program.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills and enjoys working with families.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, including communication with study faculty, junior and senior research staff, and individual families and children.
• Spanish speaking/translating ability.
• Verifiable good driving record and reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

• Completion of a Community Health Worker Certificate program.
• Previous experience with using motivational interviewing.
• Previous experience working in-person and virtually/remotely with individuals.
• Previous experience working with young children.
• A strong preference will be given to candidates with familiarity with Black/African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino and/or Native American families.
• Prior experience using REDCap and Zoom software.

The Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota was created more than 50 years ago in response to a legislative mandate to train primary care physicians. Since then, we have been leaders in transforming the specialty through education, research, and patient care. We are the academic sponsor of seven family medicine residencies-five in the Twin Cities, two in Greater Minnesota. We are involved in medical student education activities across the Medical School’s two campuses: Twin Cities and Duluth. We sponsor five fellowship programs-sports medicine, hospice and palliative medicine, behavioral medicine, clinical informatics, and human sexuality- and offer continuing medical education opportunities. We are regularly among the top National Institutes of Health-funded family medicine departments. Our faculty are actively researching health disparities, healthcare delivery, and population health. More at .

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the
• Low-cost medical, dental, pharmacy and disability plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U:

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).