Research Specialist

About Us

Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Division and Centre for Suicide Prevention (CMHA AB + CSP) is a leader in community mental health and suicide prevention. Together with the CMHA Regions, we’re building connected, resilient communities where people’s wellbeing is supported locally – by a friend, a peer, or a support group through their local CMHA. We lead by convening, educating, incubating, funding, and driving systems change. 

Job description

Reporting to the Director of Public Policy, the Research Specialist will expand and strengthen CMHA AB + CSP’s community mental health evidence-base and knowledge translation and mobilization activities. The Research Specialist will lead secondary research related to the core services of community mental health, including completing research literature and database searches from credible sources, reviewing and synthesizing collected research, generating knowledge products, and refreshing programs based on evidence and lived experiences. The Research Specialist will conduct environmental scans, program inventories, needs assessments and other related research and stakeholder engagement. The Research Specialist will help to inform policy issues related to community mental health. 

Responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Conduct literature and database reviews from credible sources related to community mental health frameworks, established and emerging evidence, and program improvement and development.
• Design and conduct environmental scans and program inventories using various methodologies (e.g. surveys, document review, interviews, focus groups).
• Effectively collaborate with CMHA Regions and other teams in the organization to engage with interest groups to aid the implementation of community mental health programs and services in Alberta.
• Act as a conduit with service delivery partners, including having familiarity with and providing logistical support for various agreements (e.g., Grant Agreements, program planning, and reporting).
• Provide data driven insights, emerging trends, areas of innovation, and program improvements related to the organization’s core services framework with a focus on community mental health.
• Synthesize data into provincial scans and reports with visualizations and storytelling.
• Draft, review, edit, and quality check reference lists for knowledge translation documents.
• Perform other related duties as identified to meet the needs of the organization. 

Requirements

• Graduate degree in Public Health, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, or another related field required.
• Minimum 3-5-years of experience in a research role with similar responsibilities is required.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered. 
• Ability to work in a fully digital environment and adapt to changes being implemented in the digital landscape (e.g. AI impact on information retrieval and management) is a requirement.
• Proficient in Office 365 programs, including Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Knowledge of mental health systems and community services is an asset.
• Exhibit proficient writing skills and Knowledge of current practices for referencing and in-text citations (APA style preferred).
• Ability to learn quickly, think logically and detailed, manage complex situations and demonstrate creative problem-solving skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in conflict situations, positive attitude, willingness to work constructively in team environment. 
• Ability to be self-motivated and flexible, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment of frequent change.  

Hours

This full-time position is based on a 35-hour work week with flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends. This position may work in a hybrid model with availability to work a minimum of three days per week in either our Calgary or Edmonton office. The typical work week is Monday - Friday, 8:30-4:30.