Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Clerk V - Research Recruiter and Coordinator will provide participant recruitment and coordination duties for principal investigators in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. This is a one-year, full-time benefitted position.

Essential Functions

• Actively seek out participants for research studies through distribution of advertising materials, facilitating relationships with local organizations, and attending local community events.
• Screen and schedule research participants according to IRB approved protocols and methods.
• Arrange travel (e.g., airfare, hotel, and ground transportation) and reimbursement (e.g., meals) for research participants who are from out of state.
• Coordinate with community partners and off-campus research facilities (e.g., UMass Center at Springfield, local public schools).
• Drive to work sites and research facilities.
• Administer and obtain informed consent from research participants.
• Work closely with SLHS researchers on study-related items (parking, scheduling, participant compensation, etc.).
• Process and track participant compensation utilizing appropriate University guidelines.
• Assist with Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol submission and renewal, including drafting, modifying, updating, and renewing protocol materials related to participant recruitment and screening.
• Assist with administrative tasks related to human subjects research: e.g., assist with the construction of Site Operation Manuals for studies to ensure Quality Assurance.

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in an office setting. An Associate's degree or higher may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Oral and written fluency in both English and Spanish.
• Ability to create professional communications using effective grammar, punctuation, and clarity, in both English and Spanish.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to professionally collaborate and develop relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students, and potential research participants and their families, both on and off campus.
• Commitment to inclusion and cultural humility that includes seeking to understand diverse thoughts, cultures, race, gender, and other facets of identity through lifelong learning and self-reflection.
• Excellent initiative, independence, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload, manage multiple tasks, track/report progress on activities, and maintain accurate records in accordance with standard filing procedures.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and varying situations with independence.
• Ability to read, understand, apply, and explain rules, regulations and policies/procedures related to duties.
• Ability to exercise discretion when handling confidential information.
• Proficiency working with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft SharePoint/Teams, Google Suite, Canva (or other similar software used to create fliers). Willingness and ability to learn new technological skills as the need arises.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel locally.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience with human subject recruitment.
• Familiarity with IRB protocols.
• Proficiency designing public-facing advertisements.
• Resident of Hampden County or otherwise highly familiar with communities in Hampden County.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.
• Typical lab environment.

Additional Details

Some travel may be necessary to attend community events.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM with occasional night and/or weekend work required when attending local community events.
• 37.5 hours per week.
• This is a one-year, full-time benefitted position.

Salary Information

Grade 15

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.