Research and Evaluation Specialist

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Research and Evaluation Specialist

$66,539.20 - $99,320.00 / Posted Thru: 3/8/2026

Location: Remote/Virtual - Must work and Live in the State of Michigan

Purpose: The individual in this position will serve as the Research and Evaluation Specialist within the Research & Innovation Section of the Health Services Administration. The Research and Evaluation Specialist functions as a subject matter expert with sole responsibility for independent research, design, implementation, and evaluation activities to assess Medicaid program performance, outcomes, and impact. This position plays a critical role in supporting changes in state and/or federal statutes and regulations, as well as addressing the needs of program providers and beneficiaries. The role ensures compliance with federal reporting requirements, promotes continuous learning, and drives evidence-informed policy and program development by translating evaluation findings into actionable insights that improve Medicaid policies and operations

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duty 1: Lead evaluation design, monitoring, and research activities for Medicaid programs and initiatives.

• Develop evaluation frameworks, logic models, and data collection tools for Medicaid initiatives, demonstrations, waivers, and existing policies.
• Design and implement quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to assess program implementation, effectiveness, and outcomes.
• Lead ongoing monitoring of policy implementation and program performance to support continuous improvement.
• Coordinate data collection processes, quality assurance procedures, and analytic plans.
• Maintain awareness of national best practices in Medicaid evaluation, performance measurement, and implementation science.
• Support development of CMS-required monitoring protocols, evaluation designs, and performance reporting deliverables.
• Collaborate with internal data partners, consultants, and academic institutions to advance evaluation efforts as needed.

Duty 2: Translate evaluation findings into actionable insights to inform policy and program improvement

• Interpret evaluation outcomes and proactively collaborate with policy, innovation, and implementation teams to inform refinements to programs and new policy development.
• Provide subject matter expertise on best-practice evaluation approaches to internal policy specialists and program teams.
• Provide technical review and subject matter expertise for research products, manuscripts, and data use and IRB requests to ensure methodological quality, policy relevance, and alignment with evaluation best practices.
• Apply learning from evaluations to identify opportunities for program adaptation, improvement, and innovation.
• Develop clear, policy-relevant recommendations based on evidence and performance findings.
• Support a proactive learning culture that integrates evaluation into program design rather than reactive reporting alone.

Duty 3: Prepare evaluation products and communicate findings to leadership and stakeholders. Conduct special projects, prepare informational briefings, and maintain records of correspondence.

• Prepare evaluation reports, data briefs, dashboards, presentations, and policy relevant summaries for internal leadership and federal partners.
• Communicate complex evaluation findings in clear, accessible formats to support decision-making.
• Contribute to manuscripts, reports, and other dissemination products as appropriate.
• Support cross-collaborative learning sessions, meetings, and discussions related to evaluation findings and program performance.

Duty 4: Support cross-team collaboration and continuous improvement efforts.

• Partner with performance, innovation, and implementation staff to align evaluation activities with strategic priorities.
• Serve as a resource for cross-collaborative projects and program improvement initiatives.
• Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned to advance the goals of the Research & Innovation Section.
• Always represent the best interests of MPHI and MDHHS.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree in public health, public policy, health services research, economics, statistics, social science, program evaluation, or a related field. (Master's degree preferred.)

Experience: Four years of professional experience in research, evaluation, data analysis, public health, health policy, or program performance, including experience designing evaluations, analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, and translating findings into actionable recommendations.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Strong knowledge of program evaluation methods, implementation science, and performance measurement.
• Ability to design and manage evaluation frameworks and data collection strategies.
• Experience analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
• Ability to translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools as appropriate.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: This position is primarilyhybrid/remote and will have some in-office days at the Capitol Commons Building (400 S. Pine Street, Lansing, MI) and/or travel across the state as needed. Selected candidates approved for remote or hybrid schedules must complete work within Michigan. Viewing a CRT or VDT screen 25% to 75% of the time. Occasional physical effort may be required, including lifting materials up to 50 pounds. A valid driver's license may be required for off-site meetings, conferences, and training.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: No assigned responsibilities for others.

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: This position has a direct impact on the quality of services provided by MPHI to MDHHS.This position has a direct impact on the quality of services provided by MPHI to MDHHS. The Departmental Specialist will have extended direct contact with MDHHS employees at multiple levels and a diverse set of stakeholders and/or university partners. The Research & Evaluation Specialist ensures programs are informed by evidence, continuously improved through learning, and compliant with federal evaluation requirements. The quality of evaluation work and insights provided will directly influence program design, operational improvements, and the Department's ability to demonstrate impact and accountability.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION

Contact Person/Group	Frequency	Purpose
Supervisor	Daily	Supervision
Internal Program Teams	As Needed	Collaboration and evaluation integration
University Partners/Consultants	As Needed	Research and evaluation activities
External Partners	As Needed	Collaboration

For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Exempt" from overtime provisions of the fair Labor Standards Act.

MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

MPHI is an EEO employer that participates with e-verify.