Policy and Research Consultant (GFTL)

About the role

This Policy and Research Consultant position is within the Information and Education Division of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). The employee will conduct social science research to assess public attitudes, behaviors, and values, providing data-driven insights that inform agency programs, outreach, education, and policy decisions. This is a grant-funded, time-limited (GFTL) position tied to the duration of the grant.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and conduct research on values, behaviors, preferences, social processes, and trends related to conservation management challenges.
• Analyze data to understand public knowledge, perspectives, and behaviors, informing department policies.
• Incorporate social science research into management and conservation efforts.
• Communicate social science tools, resources, and research to address wildlife conservation challenges.
• Present data to the public, stakeholders, department leadership, and lawmakers.
• Facilitate the integration of social science information into policy decisions, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
• Analyze survey and public input data, write reports, and make recommendations on game and fish populations.
• Provide technical expertise and consultation on social science methods and stakeholder engagement practices for agency staff.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, social work, public administration, public relations, accounting, education, business administration, public health, public health administration, biology, epidemiology, health care administration, psychology, sociology, anthropology, or a related field.
• Experience: Five years of professional experience in the development, research, planning, or analysis of public utility policy issues, Cabinet for Health and Family Services policy issues, human services policy, or research and data analysis in health departments or related organizations.

Substitutions:

• A master’s degree or doctorate (JD, PhD, MD/DO) substitutes for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Additional professional experience in the above areas substitutes for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred skills

• Ability to multi-task various job tasks.
• Strong teamwork skills.
• Self-starter with motivation and adaptability.

Working conditions

Work is primarily performed in an office setting with occasional travel required.