Implementation Specialist

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute ( FPG) is one of the nation's oldest and largest multidisciplinary centers devoted to the study of children and their families. As one of the nation's leading child development research centers, we generate scientific evidence, inform policies, and support practices to promote positive developmental and educational outcomes for children of all backgrounds and abilities from infancy to adolescence.

FPG has a particular focus on the study of vulnerable populations and those who have special needs. In addition, FPG is committed to creating a place where everyone is welcome, supported, and has the resources they need to grow and thrive regardless of identity, origin, or difference in circumstances as well as engaging in work that addresses critical issues related to educational inequality and barriers to inclusion that impact children's wellbeing.

Approximately 280 researchers, implementation and technical assistance specialists, staff, and students work on more than 75 projects related to developmental disabilities; physical, social, and emotional health; early care and education; early intervention and special education, prevention science, and more to address important issues facing all children and families. Our work spans across disciplines from education and psychology to social work and public health.

We collaborate with researchers across campus and throughout the nation. At FPG, transdisciplinary collaboration is a way to leverage collective expertise for comprehensive and relevant research and outreach, and is embodied in our motto: Advancing knowledge to transform children's lives.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The Implementation Specialist contributes to the provision of implementation support on funded implementation science project(s) at the FPG Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill. As a member of dedicated project teams, the Implementation Specialist:
(1) delivers tailored implementation supports - involving strategies for both individual/group behavior change and organization/system improvement - to community coalitions and/or child and family-serving agencies to support their effective implementation of evidence-based or evidence-informed programs and practices;
(2) assists with the development of learning and application tools, measures, and communications resources that may be useful to community and state partners or to other team members providing implementation support; and
(3) contributes to data monitoring, evaluation, and improvement activities.

The position will also become a member of The Impact Center at FPG (http://impact.fpg.unc.edu). The mission of The Impact Center at FPG is to catalyze social impact through effective implementation practice, primarily by building capacity in systems and communities to scale effective child-, family-, or community-support strategies for population-level or system-wide benefits. The Impact Center at FPG is a workgroup at that includes implementation specialists, evaluation and improvement specialists, communications specialists, and learning and design specialists. Guided by this workgroup's theoretically grounded and empirically informed model of implementation support practice, tailored support is delivered primarily to leaders and teams within community service organizations and coalitions. Projects involve close collaboration with state agency, support, and funding partners.

In addition to membership in this FPG workgroup, the position is expected to be a member of the community of FPG Investigators. Expectations include engagement in institutional activities within FPG and evaluation of professional performance.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

An educational background in the area of psychology, social work, public health, or closely related fields of study and three or more years of relevant experience. Supervised training in the delivery of evidence-based interventions involving behavior change (e.g., prevention or treatment programs, counseling interventions, behaviorally-based technical assistance, community intervention, practice facilitation). Advanced knowledge of implementation science theories, models, frameworks, and strategies. Advanced knowledge of behavior change theories, models, and strategies.

Demonstrated experience:
* using implementation practice approaches to support individual/team behavior change and organization/system learning and improvement;
* supporting individuals or teams through a range of emotional experiences related to change;
* facilitating professional and community teams towards collective goals and actions;
* working with evidence-based prevention, intervention, education, and/or other wellbeing strategies for children, families, and communities;
* using data and practice feedback for evaluation or quality improvement activities; and
* participating in projects, professional development opportunities, and activities advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in community-based settings.

The following skill sets:
(1) the development of collaborative working relationships with leaders and community partners;
(2) application of equitable and inclusive practices with community partners, including power sharing;
(3) formal assessment of individual, team, and/or organizational attitudes, resources, and behaviors;
(4) case conceptualization;
(5) providing individual or group-based facilitation, including with a co-facilitator;
(6) the delivery of learning to adults using best practices;
(7) translating scientific concepts and terminology for practice and policy audiences;
(8) supportive behavioral coaching for adults;
(9) identifying and accepting complex realities and committing to intended change processes;
(10) organizational thinking and conceptualization;
(11) systems thinking and conceptualization;
(12) adaptive leadership and/or transformational leadership;
(13) strong written communication;
(14) strong public speaking and presentation; and
(15) using data for quality improvement.

A Master's degree in an area of psychology, social work, public health, or closely related fields of study and three or more years of relevant experience. Prefer a Ph.D. in an area of psychology, social work, public health, or closely related fields of study.

The position requires seven to nine days of travel per month, with or without a reasonable accommodation.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.