THE ROLE
TRAILS is looking for an Evaluation Intern for Summer 2024. The Evaluation Intern will work with the TRAILS Evaluation Manager, the TRAILS Evaluation Team, and TRAILS Clinical Directors to support the evaluation of TRAILS’ multi-tier mental health interventions in K-12 schools.

The internship is built around a summer-long project agreed upon by the intern and the Evaluation Manager. Possible projects include:
– Assessing whether training outcomes differ by training format (e.g., live Zoom session vs. asynchronous video)
– Summarizing data from a student survey about the TRAILS SEL curriculum
– Organizing and summarizing qualitative data on school mental health professionals’ experiences with TRAILS data collection
– Summarizing student PTSD symptom data from those receiving TRAILS CBT and mindfulness support, and examining its relationship to other mental health outcomes
– Conducting a literature review related to TRAILS’ model of theory of change

This internship is an excellent opportunity to work with real-world data that directly informs program decisions, while also communicating complex findings to non-technical audiences. The role is 20 hours per week for 12 weeks, fully remote, and schedule-flexible, with some overlap with standard operating hours of 9am–5pm ET.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Evaluation Data Collection, Management, and Analysis (60%)
– Clean and analyze TRAILS program evaluation data (including survey data from students and staff, student mental health data, administrative data, and publicly available data) using a range of statistical methods
– Create and maintain datasets, including merging files, restructuring, recoding variables, and performing quality checks
– Prepare written reports and oral presentations for TRAILS decision-makers in collaboration with the Evaluation Manager
– Help develop data collection tools
– Conduct literature reviews to support TRAILS evaluation activities and share results with the TRAILS team

Systems Management (30%)
– Work closely with the full Evaluation Team to support the creation and upkeep of standard reporting procedures
– Download and archive survey data

Team Responsibilities (10%)
– Attend staff meetings and retreats, workgroups, and other relevant TRAILS meetings as needed
– Support the team with all-hands events and other initiatives when required

THE PERSON
Our experience indicates that the following professional experiences support success in this role:
– Demonstrated experience creating datasets and data management systems
– Demonstrated experience conducting independent statistical analyses using R (not point-and-click tools)
– Proficiency with Google Suite, Qualtrics, Microsoft Office, and R
– Demonstrated interest in academic, social, and emotional disparities affecting school-aged youth
– Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—especially as it relates to data practices
– Strong commitment to the TRAILS mission

We also find the following skills particularly helpful:
– Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing and delivering presentations
– Strong teamwork skills, with the ability to take initiative and work independently

EDUCATION
The following certifications or degrees would be well-suited for this role:
– An advanced degree program (e.g., Master’s or PhD) student in public policy, public health, data science, or a social science field (e.g., education, survey methodology, psychology)
– Prior graduate-level coursework in statistics, survey methods, and database management
– Relevant experience and competencies may be considered in place of formal education

COMPENSATION
This is a part-time, non-exempt, temporary position. The total internship stipend is $5,000, paid at an hourly rate of $20.83.

APPLICATION NOTES
– In your cover letter, please address the following question and include any other relevant details: How do you see an internship with the TRAILS Evaluation team supporting your long-term career goals?
– We will only consider applicants who are legally authorized to work in the United States.
– Job descriptions reflect TRAILS’ assignment of essential functions and qualifications. Nothing in this posting limits management’s right to assign, reassign, or remove duties and responsibilities at any time.