Field Interviewer - GSS Seattle, WA

JOB DESCRIPTION:

NORC at the University of Chicago is currently seeking outgoing, persuasive Field Interviewers to help conduct interviews for the 2018 GSS survey.  The GSS is NORC’s longest running survey.  Beginning in 1972, it was first conducted annually and now is conducted every two years.  Through the GSS, trends and constants in attitudes and behaviors in American society are monitored and explained. Except for data from the Census, the GSS is the most widely analyzed source of information in the social sciences, and is used by policy makers, scientific researchers, government officials, and students.  It is also regularly cited in all persuasions of media outlets.

ABOUT FIELD INTERVIEWERS:

​​​​​​​​NORC field interviewers are vital to our nationwide survey research operation. They talk to people from every conceivable walk of life—by telephone and in person—to obtain information on issues like health care, employment, and education.

The work we do at NORC has lasting social significance, and the data we gather helps legislators and others involved in setting policy make informed decisions for the welfare of all Americans in an increasingly complex society.

The interview is the basic tool by which we are able to provide this data and the interviewer is the one who makes it all possible.

Our field interviewers tell us they enjoy meeting all kinds of people and seeing America from different points of view. If you are curious about the world around you, are open to meeting new people, and like facing new challenges, this may well be the job for you.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Interviewers are expected to follow the Basic Interviewing Techniques as described in their NORC Field Guide
• Interviewers must be able to regularly work evenings and week-ends. 
• Interviewers are expected to work productively and efficiently. This is a part-time, temporary position, usually 20-25 hours per week, with short periods of up to 40 hours per week.  Most interviewers will work between 3-6 months, although some assignments can last much longer.  This is primarily work during evenings and weekends, where we expect interviewers to work 4-5 shifts per week, with 4-6 hours worked per shift, including one weekend day.  Finally, you should be aware that hours are not guaranteed and are dependent on a number of factors, including how many cases you are assigned, and your own effectiveness.  Actual hours worked will vary by during the assignment.
• Assignments may vary based on the number of Respondents in specified locations. We attempt to cluster assignments geographically, but it may be necessary to travel longer distances in some situations. Interviewers must be willing to drive 50-100 miles or more, one way, to contact area respondents as needed.
• Interviewers must attempt to contact most of their respondents within the month of the field period in order to determine status and location of each case.
• Field Interviewers are responsible for documenting all contacts and activity in the record of calls in our case management system in a consistent and professional manner (known as ROCs – entered electronically in the laptop).
• There is a weekly review process on this project. Cost, production goals and data quality feedback will be set for each field interviewer according to case assignment.
• Validation of work and related activities will be completed by survey staff.
• Some or all of each interview will be recorded - (CARI) – computer assisted recorded interviews.  Interviewers MUST be willing to be recorded.
• Data quality expectations for this project will be outlined in training and throughout the data collection period.  Each interviewer is expected to meet or exceed data quality targets.
• Reliable transportation and personal phone required.
• Certain amounts of auto insurance required.
• The study requires “cold calling” for households, which means Field Interviewers need the ability to knock on doors without knowing names of any household members, and  persuade them to participate in order to be successful.
• The GSS questionnaire includes questions on topics that some may consider sensitive, such as race, sexual and gender identity, and political beliefs, in order to understand societal trends over time in these attitudes.
• For some households, Field Interviewers will have a name and phone number obtained through a phone matching service, and may be asked by their Field Manager to call the number before visiting.
• The study also requires contacting neighbors or other informants to obtain information about households where no one is at home to determine when household contact can be made or if a household may be out-of-scope.

Travel assignments and phone only assignments may be available on a limited basis during the first 10 weeks of the field period.  More travel assignments and phone assignments are expected during the last 10 weeks.

AVAILABILITY:

Interviewers are expected to work productively and efficiently. This is a part-time, temporary position, usually 20-25 hours per week, with short periods of up to 40 hours per week.  Most interviewers will work between 3-6 months, although some assignments can last much longer.  This is primarily work during evenings and weekends, where we expect interviewers to work 4-5 shifts per week, with 4-6 hours worked per shift, including one weekend day.  Finally, you should be aware that hours are not guaranteed and are dependent on a number of factors, including how many cases you are assigned, and your own effectiveness.  Interviewers must also be flexible in setting appointments to suit the respondents’ needs. Availability and willingness to work evenings, and Saturday and Sunday is required.

The data collection field period runs from early April through early September 2018 with two primary stages of data collection with a higher concentration of sampled work in the first two months of the project and case consolidation beginning in mid-June and continuing through the end of the project with the goal being that roughly two thirds of all completed interviews happen prior to July.

TRAINING:

At home training

All Field Interviewers must complete home study before training, the day before their travel day if attending in-person training.  It can be completed in one sitting and requires approximately 3-4 hours.  The day before the travel day should be considered a training date 

In Person Training

New hires and some experienced Field Interviewers will attend training in-person the Chicago suburbs.  Interviewers who attend will arrive at the training site on the day prior their first training day.  Interviewers who are new to NORC or have not worked in several years will also attend NORC General Training on 4/6/2018. The project training will begin on 4/7/2018 and will end on 4/10/2018.  Interviewers will travel home after lunch on 4/10/2019. Field work will begin on 4/11/2018.

Meals, transportation and a single hotel room will be furnished by NORC. Other training related travel expenses will be reimbursed. 

Remote Training

Some Field Interviewers will conduct a remote training from their home.  The duration and exact time frame of this training is still in development.

Spanish bilingual interviewers will attend an additional training session by phone during the week after the project training.

BENEFITS:

• An opportunity to work on an important national research project
• Temporary employment with hourly pay and retirement benefits, subject to eligibility
• Field interviewers get to work on a project that will affect government policy and meet interesting people.

Learn more about the Field Interviewer position: .

REQUIREMENTS FOR FIELD INTERVIEWERS:

In addition to meeting specific job requirements, employees hired for this position must present evidence of their identity and authorization to work in the United States (I9 documentation). We also require: a valid drivers license (exceptions can be made for applicants from major urban centers such as New York City), proof of auto liability insurance and unlimited use of an automobile in good working condition; a working home phone number; ability to carry a laptop computer and survey documents and supplies, and availability to attend in-person, paid training s​e​​ssions (no exceptions).

ABOUT NORC:

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, NORC has conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with NORC to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

NORC conducts research in five main areas: Economics, Markets, and the Workforce; Education, Training, and Learning; Global Development; Health and Well-Being; and Society, Media, and Public Affairs.

We provide comprehensive and integrated services that span the research cycle, and offer solutions that anticipate and address critical needs in research and data science. We approach all work with deep technical expertise, a spirit of collaboration, and a commitment to scientific integrity.  

EEO STATEMENT:

NORC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that values and actively seeks diversity in the workforce. NORC evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other legally- protected characteristics.