Evaluation Specialist

Resume review will begin August 14, 2026. Hiring salary range: $27.83–$33.40/hour, commensurate with experience.

About the Organization

For more than 129 years, Neighborhood House has partnered with families in St. Paul to ensure access to essential services, including food, housing, education, and opportunities. Today, we serve more than 30,000 individuals annually across six neighborhoods, striving for a community where everyone can thrive.

About the Role

The Evaluation Specialist supports community-based, qualitative evaluation and learning efforts across programs by engaging directly with program participants, community members, and staff. Reporting to the Director of Community-Based Evaluation and Impact, this position contributes to qualitative evaluation activities, including interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, qualitative analysis, and synthesis, to inform program improvement, organizational learning, and impact communication. This position provides opportunities to develop skills in community-based evaluation, qualitative methods, facilitation, and organizational learning while contributing to projects that elevate participant voice and strengthen organizational decision-making. Success in this role requires strong relational skills, a commitment to equity and ethical practice, curiosity, and the ability to translate community perspectives into meaningful insights.

Responsibilities

• Community-based Data Collection
  • Organize the planning and implementation of interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, Participant Advisory Council, and other community-based evaluation activities
  • Coordinate developing culturally responsive qualitative data collection tools (e.g., interview protocols, listening session guides, consent materials)
  • Facilitate or co-facilitate interviews, focus groups, and listening sessions in partnership with evaluation and program staff
  • Coordinate logistics for community-based data collection, including outreach, scheduling, and preparation of materials
• Qualitative Analysis and Synthesis
  • Organize and manage qualitative data, including notes, transcripts, and summaries
  • Analyze qualitative data to identify themes, patterns, and participant perspectives that inform program improvement and organizational learning
  • Coordinate synthesis memos, evaluation briefs, and internal learning documents
  • Collaborate on the translation of findings into actionable recommendations for program improvement and decision-making
• Equity-Centered and Community-Based Evaluation Practice
  • Apply principles of participatory, community-based, and equity-centered evaluation in day-to-day work
  • Document ethical evaluation practices, including informed consent, confidentiality, and respectful engagement
  • Engage in reflection on power, positionality, and equity in the evaluation process
• Organizational Collaboration
  • Collaborate with program staff to coordinate evaluation activities and communicate project needs
  • Build respectful working relationships with participants and community members throughout evaluation activities
  • Coordinate team meetings, learning sessions, and collaborative planning efforts
  • Develop documentation of evaluation processes, tools, and lessons learned
• Additional Duties
  • Actively support and champion the mission and programs of Neighborhood House
  • Uphold Neighborhood House’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and radical hospitality
  • Conduct all activities with a high degree of cultural competency
  • Maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with colleagues, participants, donors, board members, volunteers, and community partners
  • Consistently uphold Neighborhood House policies, procedures, and confidentiality protocols
  • Articulate the organization’s desired image and position when representing Neighborhood House to internal and external audiences
  • Contribute to building a cohesive, respectful, responsive, and productive staff environment that demonstrates our values and mission
  • Actively participate in required meetings, trainings, and other events as requested

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in evaluation, social work, public health, or related fields or equivalent relevant experience
• Coursework and/or experience supporting qualitative evaluation or research activities, such as interviews, focus groups, or listening sessions
• Familiarity with Dedoose or other qualitative data analysis methods and tools
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills in English
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate respectfully with people of diverse ethnic, economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, community voice, and social impact
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work collaboratively in a team environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with community-based, participatory, or equity-centered evaluation approaches
• Fluency or working proficiency in Spanish, Karen, Hmong, Somali, Amharic, and/or Tigrinya, especially in community engagement contexts

Pay

$27.83–$33.40/hour, commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Monday–Friday work hours, with some evening and/or weekend work required.

Location

In person, St. Paul, MN.

Background Check

Neighborhood House is required to conduct background checks on all final candidates because of our work with youth and families. We understand that past events may have occurred, and we don’t want this to deter you from applying. The outcome of background checks does not automatically disqualify a candidate, and we are open to a conversation to discuss the results.