Community Evaluator, Research Scientist 3

Working Title: Community Evaluator - SHIP/CSUP
Job Class: Research Scientist 3
Agency: Health Department

• Job ID: 95911
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes / Hybrid 50%
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers simultaneously
• Date Posted: 07/30/2026
• Closing Date: 08/05/2026
• Hiring Agency: MN Health Department 
• Division/Unit: Health Promotion and Chronic Disease / Office of Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes - Up to 25% of the time
• Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Association of Professional Employees
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position serves as a senior evaluation and research scientist for the Office of Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives (OSHII), provided scientific leadership for evaluation, surveillance, applied research, and continuous quality improvement across multiple statewide public health initiatives., including the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) efforts, food systems initiatives, and federally funded programs.

Working at the intersection of research, epidemiology, and public health practice, this position develops innovative evaluation methods, guides data collection and reporting systems, and translates complex findings into actionable insights that improve programs and inform policy. This role serves to design and oversee evaluation and implementation science approaches that assess effectiveness, fidelity, reach, adoption, implementation, maintenance, and sustainability or community-based interventions. As the organization's subject matter expert in research methodology and evaluation, this role provides consultation to OSHII leadership, MDH staff, community partners, and external researchers to ensure rigorous study design, statistical analysis, and meaningful interpretation of results.

This position also partners with community grantees to strengthen local evaluation capacity and assess the effectiveness, equity, and sustainability of community health improvement strategies in improving population health and reducing health inequities. Through collaboration with researchers, epidemiologists, evaluators, and other public health professionals, the incumbent uses culturally responsive and community-engaged evaluation approaches to lead the dissemination of research findings through reports, publications, and presentations that influence decision-making and improve the health of Minnesotans.

Primary responsibilities include; 

• Plan, design, implement and continuously improve assessment, evaluation, surveillance, and applied research activities for the Office of Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives (OSHII).
• Serve as the organization’s subject matter expert nd provide consultation, expertise and direction on evaluation and research methodology, implementation science, data analysis and interpretation, and applied public health research to OSHII evaluation and content staff, MDH staff, and researchers external to MDH.
• Lead preparation of peer-reviewed journal article research publications, data dashboards, policy briefs, and conference presentations that summarize the impact and outcomes of community health improvement efforts of the Office of Statewide Health Improvement Initiatives (OSHII).
• Participate in strategic planning, assessment, and evaluation activities related to community health improvement initiatives and statewide prevention efforts. Maintain knowledge of the science base, evaluation methodologies, implementation science, research and analytic approaches to evaluate community-based health improvement interventions.

In accordance with HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework, this position is eligible for up to 50% telework for applicants who live in Minnesota or in a bordering state within 50 miles of the assigned work location. Candidates residing outside of Minnesota further than 50 miles of the assigned work location at the time of application must be able to relocate to Minnesota within 30 days of their start date. The telework policy may exempt employees who live more than 50 miles from their primary work location from the 50% in-office requirement, depending on job requirements, helping the State of Minnesota access top talent across the state. 

Minimum Qualifications

Four (4) years' experience conducting public health research, program evaluation, surveillance, epidemiology, implementation science, or applied  research. Experience must include each of the following:

• Experience planning, designing, and implementing research, program evaluation, surveillance, or applied research projects, including developing evaluation methodologies and data collection processes.
• Experience collecting, managing, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods data to evaluate programs and translating findings to support decision-making for program improvement.
• Experience providing consultation or technical expertise on research methods, evaluation design, data analysis, or program monitoring to internal or external stakeholders.
• Experience preparing and presenting technical reports, publications, dashboards, or presentations that communicate research or evaluation findings to professional and non-technical audiences.

A related degree in public health, epidemiology, statistics, biostatistics, data science, health services research, social or behavioral sciences, psychology, sociology, evaluation, or another closely related field will substitute for experience as follows:  

• Doctorate may substitute for two (2) years of experience.  
• Master's degree may substitute for 18 months of experience.  
• Bachelor's degree may substitute for one (1) year of experience. 
• Associate's degree may substitute for six months of experience. 

Minimum qualifications to be assessed at interview:

• Demonstrated ability to develop, conduct, and communicate complex research, evaluation, and data findings to technical and non-technical audiences through written and verbal presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships and provide consultation or technical expertise to multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple complex projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and apply sound professional judgment to solve complex problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced experience designing and leading public health program evaluations, surveillance activities, or applied research initiatives.
• Experience evaluating policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change strategies or community-based health improvement initiatives to improve population health outcomes.
• Experience developing evaluation plans, performance measures, logic models, theories of change, or continuous quality improvement approaches for complex public health initiatives.
• Experience managing, analyzing, and reporting complex public health data using statistical software, databases, or electronic data collection systems (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS, REDCap, Qualtrics, SQL, or similar tools).
• Experience conducting participatory, culturally responsive, or community-engaged evaluations with local public health agencies, Tribal Nations, or community organizations.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successful completion of a background check and employment reference check.  
• MDH does not participate in the federal E-Verify program and is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas, including F-1 STEM OPT extensions, and cannot complete Form I-9 or any other documentation requiring employer participation in E-Verify. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application.  

How to Apply 

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Kaitlyn Crowley at katie.crowley@state.mn.us or 651-201-5984.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Kaitlyn Crowley at katie.crowley@state.mn.us.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Health ADA Coordinator at health.hr.ada@state.mn.us. 

About Health Department 

Come work for one of the best public health systems in the nation and you will contribute to our mission to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. We are working hard to achieve our vision for health equity in Minnesota, where all communities are thriving, and all people have what they need to be healthy. Our collaborative, mission-driven work environment is a major factor in promoting a high level of employee health awareness, employee longevity and job satisfaction. 

Working together to improve the state we love. 

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? 

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits 

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include: 

• Paid vacation and sick leave 
• 12 paid holidays each year 
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans 
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children 
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care 
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS 

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.