{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"f03f06ed03384cf725c32d3c","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/f03f06ed03384cf725c32d3c","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/f03f06ed03384cf725c32d3c","title":"Principal Research Associate-Implementation & Customer Support -Remote","description":"Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.\n\nWestat is seeking a Principal Research Associate with expertise in implementation/operations and helpdesk operations to lead tasks supporting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) alternative payment models within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). Principal Research Associates lead and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and may serve as project managers, task leads, or task contributors. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience working on implementation contracts for CMMI innovative payment models.\n\nWe value regular in-person collaboration and preference will be given to candidates who can work 2 days per week at our Bethesda, Maryland office or at one of our other Westat office locations. Candidates must be based in the U.S. to be considered for a fully remote work arrangement.\nPlease include a cover letter when submitting your application.\n\nJob Responsibilities:\nInteract with the CMMI client to understand participant management and vetting needs and translating those needs into requirements, analytic steps, and data flows to be developed and executed by technical staff.\nEstablish protocols, standard operating procedures, specifications, and other process and quality assurance documentation.\nCoordinate with the client and other contractors to gather information necessary to understand dependencies and ensure that information is reflected in timelines, processes, and communications.\nManage a multidisciplinary team by making assignments, monitoring timelines, identifying next steps, and conducting quality assurance.\nServe as a technical expert on CMMI model participant management topics.\nSpecify and develop summary reports by obtaining necessary information and organizing/presenting information effectively.\nIdentify CMS’ business needs and communicate that information to IT contractors in the form of change requests and requirements.\nServe as a subject matter expert for technical assistance content related to participant management, including drafting memos, reports, tipsheets, tools, and other resources or deliverables.\nSupport helpdesk operations by managing staff, establishing and maintaining processes and ensuring they are followed, conducting quality assurance for helpdesk ticket responses, using judgment to escalate inquiries as needed, and reporting on helpdesk trends and metrics.\nSupport technical assistance activities (developing written resources, developing content for webinars, planning technical assistance work in response to program needs)\nInteract closely with clients and respond quickly to client needs.\nCoordinate with subcontractors and other contractors, as needed.\nWork on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.\nWrite and manage technical proposals and budgets for government clients and work on business development activities.\n\nBasic Qualifications:\nA master’s degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience or a Ph.D. with at least 5 years of relevant experience.\nExperience must include contract work with CMS and customer support/helpdesk operations, technical assistance, and/or other technical support.\nExperience with CMMI payment model implementation contracts.\nExperience translating CMMI model policies, participant needs, and operational needs into helpdesk inquiry responses or technical assistance materials.\nPreferred Questions:\nExperience leading helpdesk operations and/or technical assistance activities specifically for a CMMI model implementation contract.\nExperience contributing to or leading CMMI implementation workstreams.\nExperience leading/managing contracts funded by the Federal government.\nDemonstrated communication skills and ability to translate complex technical information into plain language for various audiences.\nDemonstrated ability mentoring more junior staff and working collaboratively with more senior staff.\nAttention to detail and quality assurance.\nWestat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:\nEmployee Stock Ownership Plan\n401(k) Retirement Plan\nPaid Parental Leave\nVacation Leave (20 days per year)\nSick Leave (9 days per year)\nHoliday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays per year)\nProfessional Development\nHealth Advocate\nEmployee Assistance Program\nTravel Accident Insurance\nMedical Insurance\nDental Insurance\nVision Insurance\nShort Term Disability Insurance\nLong Term Disability Insurance\nLife and AD&D Insurance\nCritical Illness Insurance\nSupplemental Life Insurance\nFlexible Spending Account\nHealth Savings Account\nAny offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.\nThis opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.\nEmployment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.\nWestat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.\n#LI-WST1 #REMOTE\nPay Range\nThe anticipated salary range for this role is $115,000 - $144k and will be commensurate with experience.\nBonus Eligibility\nyes","company":"Westat","rawCompany":"westat","isRemote":true,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-08T11:32:02.058Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"15-1299.09","title":"Information Technology Project Managers","slug":"information-technology-project-managers"},{"code":"15-1211.00","title":"Computer Systems Analysts","slug":"computer-systems-analysts"}],"industries":[{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"541690","title":"Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services","slug":"other-scientific-and-technical-consulting-services"},{"code":"541512","title":"Computer Systems Design Services","slug":"computer-systems-design-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Principal Research Associate-Implementation & Customer Support -Remote","description":"Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.\n\nWestat is seeking a Principal Research Associate with expertise in implementation/operations and helpdesk operations to lead tasks supporting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) alternative payment models within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). Principal Research Associates lead and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and may serve as project managers, task leads, or task contributors. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience working on implementation contracts for CMMI innovative payment models.\n\nWe value regular in-person collaboration and preference will be given to candidates who can work 2 days per week at our Bethesda, Maryland office or at one of our other Westat office locations. Candidates must be based in the U.S. to be considered for a fully remote work arrangement.\nPlease include a cover letter when submitting your application.\n\nJob Responsibilities:\nInteract with the CMMI client to understand participant management and vetting needs and translating those needs into requirements, analytic steps, and data flows to be developed and executed by technical staff.\nEstablish protocols, standard operating procedures, specifications, and other process and quality assurance documentation.\nCoordinate with the client and other contractors to gather information necessary to understand dependencies and ensure that information is reflected in timelines, processes, and communications.\nManage a multidisciplinary team by making assignments, monitoring timelines, identifying next steps, and conducting quality assurance.\nServe as a technical expert on CMMI model participant management topics.\nSpecify and develop summary reports by obtaining necessary information and organizing/presenting information effectively.\nIdentify CMS’ business needs and communicate that information to IT contractors in the form of change requests and requirements.\nServe as a subject matter expert for technical assistance content related to participant management, including drafting memos, reports, tipsheets, tools, and other resources or deliverables.\nSupport helpdesk operations by managing staff, establishing and maintaining processes and ensuring they are followed, conducting quality assurance for helpdesk ticket responses, using judgment to escalate inquiries as needed, and reporting on helpdesk trends and metrics.\nSupport technical assistance activities (developing written resources, developing content for webinars, planning technical assistance work in response to program needs)\nInteract closely with clients and respond quickly to client needs.\nCoordinate with subcontractors and other contractors, as needed.\nWork on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.\nWrite and manage technical proposals and budgets for government clients and work on business development activities.\n\nBasic Qualifications:\nA master’s degree with at least 8 years of relevant experience or a Ph.D. with at least 5 years of relevant experience.\nExperience must include contract work with CMS and customer support/helpdesk operations, technical assistance, and/or other technical support.\nExperience with CMMI payment model implementation contracts.\nExperience translating CMMI model policies, participant needs, and operational needs into helpdesk inquiry responses or technical assistance materials.\nPreferred Questions:\nExperience leading helpdesk operations and/or technical assistance activities specifically for a CMMI model implementation contract.\nExperience contributing to or leading CMMI implementation workstreams.\nExperience leading/managing contracts funded by the Federal government.\nDemonstrated communication skills and ability to translate complex technical information into plain language for various audiences.\nDemonstrated ability mentoring more junior staff and working collaboratively with more senior staff.\nAttention to detail and quality assurance.\nWestat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:\nEmployee Stock Ownership Plan\n401(k) Retirement Plan\nPaid Parental Leave\nVacation Leave (20 days per year)\nSick Leave (9 days per year)\nHoliday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays per year)\nProfessional Development\nHealth Advocate\nEmployee Assistance Program\nTravel Accident Insurance\nMedical Insurance\nDental Insurance\nVision Insurance\nShort Term Disability Insurance\nLong Term Disability Insurance\nLife and AD&D Insurance\nCritical Illness Insurance\nSupplemental Life Insurance\nFlexible Spending Account\nHealth Savings Account\nAny offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.\nThis opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.\nEmployment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.\nWestat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.\n#LI-WST1 #REMOTE\nPay Range\nThe anticipated salary range for this role is $115,000 - $144k and will be commensurate with experience.\nBonus Eligibility\nyes","datePosted":"2026-08-08T11:32:02.058Z","dateModified":"2026-08-08T11:32:02.058Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Westat","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocationType":"TELECOMMUTE","applicantLocationRequirements":{"@type":"Country","name":"US"},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"f03f06ed03384cf725c32d3c"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/f03f06ed03384cf725c32d3c"}}