Location: Western/Upstate New York hybrid position (remote work and in-person recruitment fieldwork)

Position Type: Part-time

Pay range: $36.00-$38.00/hour

Summary:

The CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH) is recruiting for a Research Recruitment Coordinator for a NIH-funded randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a socialization and sex education program among individuals with mild to moderate developmental disabilities, under the direction of co-Principal Investigators Suzanne McDermott and Heidi Jones, faculty at the CUNY School of Public Health. 

The Research Recruitment Coordinator will lead recruitment of the 700+ adolescents and young adults with I/DD (ages 16-27) in western/upstate New York (outside NYC). The position will entail outreach to and collaboration with a wide range of organizations and groups (e.g. Office for Person With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) providers, care coordinators and community organizations serving young adults with I/DD. Travel will be required so contacts can be made in-person, with follow-up in person or remotely. The Research Recruitment Coordinator will work with these organizations to recruit participants through site visits, information sessions, tabling events, and communications.

The study for which recruitment is being done is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test a socialization and sex education curriculum among 856 adolescents and young adults (ages 16-27) with Down syndrome and other types of mild/moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in New York state. Half of the participants will be randomized to receive a socialization and sex education curriculum, and the other half will participate in a physical exercise and nutrition intervention. The interventions are 6-weeks and there will be questionnaires administered at numerous points before and after the interventions.

The start date is March 1, 2024 (or mutually agreed upon alternative).

Position Description:

The Research Recruitment Coordinator will be responsible for networking with providers and community organizations to recruit interested young adults and their helpers to complete the STEPS2 interest form. The Research Recruitment Coordinator will be supervised by the Co-Principal Investigators and Project Manager.

Research Recruitment Coordinator job duties include, but not limited to:

• Develop outreach strategies and tracking systems
• Meet in-person and virtually with care providers, special education schools, care coordinators and community organizations to facilitate recruitment
• Organize and attend in-person events to present information about the STEPS2 study in a clear, understandable and inviting manner
• Directly engage with young adults with I/DD and their helpers both in-person and virtually to share study information and to assist with the completion of the interest form
• Attend Service Provider meetings, Developmental Disability Councils, and self-advocacy meetings to encourage recruitment
• Collaboration with the study team
• Develop promotional materials
• Track recruitment progress
• Other duties as assigned

As the study progresses additional tasks may include:

• Participant screening and administration of informed consent/assent
• Administering baseline and follow-up surveys

Qualifications:

• Track record of fostering strong partnerships with clear actionable next steps
• Knowledge of the organizations serving the I/DD community in Western NY
• Prior recruitment, sales and/or communications experience
• A t bachelor’s degree (BA or BS)
• Ability to travel across Western NY
• Self-motivated and organized
• Commitment to the health and well-being of the I/DD community
• Must have a valid NY State driver’s license and be willing to travel throughout NY State; travel will be reimbursed

Preferred Qualifications:

• Research experience with CITI Human Research Subjects Certificate
• Bilingual English/Spanish

This position is a:

• Hybrid position (remote work and in-person recruitment fieldwork)
• Based in Western NY (e.g. Rochester, NY or Buffalo, NY)