OPS Study Interviewer - RSR

Classification Title:

OPS Study Interviewer - RSR

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience.

Job Description:

The University of Florida (UF) Department of Epidemiology is seeking several individuals to serve as Study Interviewers for the Rapid Street Reporting (RSR) study, part of the National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) project. This study involves data collection in various cities across the United States. During each site visit, a team of interviewers travels to a designated city to conduct face-to-face, anonymous, survey-based interviews with community members, over a weekend period (Friday through Sunday). Interviewers are expected to participate in at least 4 weekend site visits for data collection per semester.

Participants are surveyed about their experiences with various substances over the past 12 months, including both emerging and more traditional drugs; however, not all enrolled will have experience with, or knowledge of every substance assessed. The data collected complements traditional public health surveillance by capturing emerging trends in real‑world public settings, helping to detect local and regional patterns substance use and related adverse effects, such as overdoses. In addition to surveys, anonymous oral fluid (saliva) samples are collected.

Travel is required. Interviewers depart Friday morning and return Sunday evening. Airfare and/or rental car transportation, as well as lodging, is arranged in advance by NDEWS project staff and is fully covered by grant funding for each site visit.

NDEWS is seeking dependable, detail-oriented individuals who are comfortable engaging with a variety of populations. Applicants with prior experience conducting surveys/interviews or working in public-facing roles are strongly encouraged to apply.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Attend and participate in all training sessions and meetings.
• Travel to assigned data collection sites.
• For each data collection site visit:
  • Approach potentially eligible individuals in outdoor and indoor public settings
  • Screen for eligibility and assess interest in participation
  • Obtain verbal consent, enroll participant, and administer anonymous survey covering use and knowledge of approximately 100 substances
  • Accurately record participants’ responses in real-time on an electronic tablet
  • Collect oral fluid samples
  • Compensate participants for their participation
  • Complete administrative tasks, including maintaining logs and documentation
  • Communicate regularly with Principal Investigator and project staff about daily recruitment progress, response rates, and field issues
  • Adhere strictly to field protocols and UF IRB-approved data collection guidelines.

 

Expected Salary:

$15-$20 per hour; commensurate with education and experience.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience.

Preferred:

• Comfortable working with a variety of project personnel and positively engage with community populations.
• Experience conducting surveys/interviews or working in public-facing roles (e.g., customer service).
• Proficiency with computers and other digital tools, including tablets, in fast-paced environments.
• Experience following standardized protocols.
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.
• Flexible and adaptable in varied working environments, with strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Outgoing with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Able to quickly and accurately record participant’s responses during interview.
• Able to produce clear, concise, and accurate documentation.
• Honest and dependable.
• Commitment to ethical research practices and the ability to remain neutral and unbiased during interviews.
• Weekend availability for travel and data collection for assigned data collection, with the ability to work at least 4 out of 16 weekends (Friday–Sunday) per semester.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

This recruitment is for multiple (up to 5) hires. 

This is a part-time position to work approximately 30 to 36 hours over the course of the assigned weekends, Friday to Sunday. Training s