Field Data Collector

2025 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Data Collector

DATA COLLECTORS NEEDED

TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT January – April 2025

ICF is seeking one data collector in New York & Oklahoma for the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).  The YRBS documents behaviors among 9-12 grades students that contribute to the leading causes of death and disease starting during youth and extending into adulthood.  The YRBS is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC/DASH). 

The survey will be conducted among students in high schools all across the US.  The results of the YRBS will be used to (1) monitor health-risk behaviors among high school students; (2) evaluate the impact of state and local efforts to prevent health-risk behaviors; and (3) improve school health education policies and programs.

We need professional individuals in specific areas throughout the country who have an interest in the health and well-being of adolescents to help us administer the questionnaire. This is a temporary position in which you can expect to work for approximately 8-10 weeks over the fielding period. Data collectors must make themselves available full-time through the duration of the survey period.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administer an electronic tablet-based survey to students in 1-8 classes per school
• Receive assignments via an internet-based project system
• Transport, synchronize, charge and update survey collection tablets, following established protocols
• Travel among schools in assigned locations and respond and report to survey supervisor in a timely manner
• Coordinate scheduling and follow-up for the conduct of makeup surveys with absent students, as required
• Complete required documentation for each assignment via an internet-based project system
• Act as on-site liaison with school personnel, working with school administrators, teachers, etc.
• Work independently or as a member of a survey administration team
• Maintain expense logs and progress reports
• Ability to lift and transport up to 50 lbs. of survey materials, including electronic devices and other supplies
• Comfort with technology and troubleshooting common IT errors
• Extremely well-organized, with a strong eye for detail
• Capable of motivating others to cooperate
• Ability to adhere to strict time schedules and arrive on time and prepared for all appointments
• Professional appearance, demeanor, and clear speaking voice
• Comfortable speaking in front of a small or large group
• Early morning person – scheduled arrival time can be as early as 6:30 a.m.
• High degree of self-confidence and the ability to deal with difficult situations in a calm/professional manner
• Ability and willingness to travel by yourself, being away from home for 2-5 days in a row
• Have a cell phone and personal email for use in the field
• Successful completion of an in-person, mandatory 3-day training in late January in Reston, VA

EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

• College graduate. Ideal for retired teachers, school administrators, and current graduate/thesis students able to work full-time with no travel restrictions
• Familiarity and comfort using an electronic tablet device such as an iPad, Kindle or Samsung Galaxy
• Computer skills, including navigating the Internet, using web applications, emailing and attaching files
• Experience working with schools and children, particularly in high school settings
• Experience in field data collection, survey/social science research, sales, or marketing
• Experience traveling for work off-site with little face-to-face contact with supervisor

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:

• Ability to pass a background screening
• Have a valid driver's license and an insured vehicle in good condition that you do not share with others
• Have a valid major credit card, with available funds for travel expenses incurred

WHEN: A mandatory 3-day training session will occur on January 27 -- January 29, 2025 at ICF's Headquarters in Reston, VA. Data collection will start immediately after training and continue until all schools have been surveyed.

PAYMENT: Assuming completion of training, additional tasks immediately after training, and acceptable performance during training, you may expect to be paid $800/pre-tax.  If you are required to travel to training by air, rail, or bus, the cost of coach-class fare will be pre-paid for your transportation to ICF’s Headquarters in Virginia. ICF will also pre-pay for a hotel room for your stay at training. You may expect to earn 40 hours of pay for any week assigned for data collection. Our hope is th