Project and Policy Analyst 4

Provides strategic planning for initiatives focused on improving the quality, safety, and effectiveness of clinical mental health care. This role leads research, quality improvement, and patient safety efforts that identify system-level risks, generate evidence, and support improvements in behavioral health service delivery.
Provides strategic leadership for initiatives that advance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of clinical mental health care. This role leads complex research, evaluation, and quality improvement efforts that identify system-level risks, strengthen patient safety practices, and improve behavioral health service delivery across care settings.
The position applies advanced analytical and health informatics approaches to integrate and interpret clinical, operational, and quality data in order to generate actionable insights. By leveraging data systems, quality metrics, and evidence-based research methods, this position supports the development of data-informed strategies that enhance care quality, reduce harm, and improve outcomes for individuals receiving mental health services.

Working in close collaboration with clinical leaders, researchers, patient safety teams, and operational partners, they oversee multidisciplinary initiatives focused on mental health quality and safety. This role translates complex data and research findings into practical recommendations that support program improvement, inform leadership decision-making, and guide system-level improvements in behavioral health care delivery.

Apply By Date: March 28, 2026 at 11:59pm. Selection activities may start at any time.

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Masters degree in healthcare quality and safety, public health, health services research, health administration, psychology, or a related field with clinical informatics emphasis, or equivalent experience/training.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in health services research, healthcare quality improvement, patient safety, behavioral health systems, or related fields or a combination of fields.
• Proven problem-solving capabilities required to perform and/or manage analysis of unique issues and problems without precedent.
• Experience managing research and quality initiatives with health policy implications that requires formulating innovative strategies and administering policies, processes, and resources; trusted advisor who functions with a high degree of autonomy.
• Leadership experience with a high degree recognized expertise in health services research, quality and safety and technology driven projects.
• Informatics experience and/or commensurate education required.
• Experience managing projects including development and implementation of project protocols, procedures, and task delegation. Organizational skills to multi-task and manage multiple projects, deadlines, and project staff and faculty.
• Strong understanding of mental health clinical care systems and quality improvement methodologies as well as informatics or technology-based initiatives.
• 7 or more years of progressively responsible experience in healthcare quality improvement, patient safety, behavioral health systems, health services research, or related fields.
• Experience developing, drafting, editing, and proofreading complex written communication to convey complex information to various users (i.e. academic journal publications, reports to funding agencies).
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing complex initiatives related to mental health quality, patient safety, clinical care improvement, or health system transformation.
• Strong expertise in behavioral health systems and mental health clinical care, including knowledge of service delivery models, care coordination, and safety considerations across inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings
• Experience designing and leading research, evaluation, or quality improvement projects, including development of research questions, study design, data analysis, and interpretation of findings.
• Advanced analytical skills, including experience working with healthcare quality metrics, clinical outcomes data, patient safety indicators, or health services datasets.
• Experience facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, researchers, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Skills to critically evaluate policies and empirical studies in topics such as health services research, health care quality measurement, to efficiently identify study strengths, limitations, and policy implications.
• Clinical informatics education or commensurate knowledge and experience developing and managing informatics projects.
• Team leadership experience, interdisciplinary collaboration and ability to multi-task with demanding time frames.
• Problem-solving capabilities required to perform and/or manage analysis of unique issues and problems without precedent.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively and professionally communicate in person and via email and telephone with clients, staff, and faculty at all levels while maintaining discretion and confidentiality.
• Knowledge and familiarity with peer-reviewed literature sources and other sources for healthcare quality and safety and health services research data. Computer skills with MS Office Suite for Windows, EndNote, and Qualtrics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in healthcare leadership, public health, public policy or related field. Terminal master's degree in clinical mental health or related field strongly preferred.
• Entrepreneurial experience/ experience translating novel technologies into industry strongly preferred.
• Experience using quantitative and qualitative software, such as SAS, R, STATA, Dedoose, REDCap, Qualtrics and reference management tools such as EndNote.
• Experience with managing and influencing all levels of project team as well as internal and external partners at UC Davis. Experience effectively leading with managing cross-sector interdisciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with the process of writing IRB protocols.
• Superb interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills that influence all levels of contacts including high level contacts require diplomacy to build trusted partnerships. Ability to guide planning that includes senior management, faculty, and external constituencies.
• Advanced knowledge of analysis techniques such quantitative and qualitative analysis with software, such as SPSS, R, STATA.
• Thorough knowledge of UC Davis organizational processes, protocols and procedures related to research development and management.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% - Leadership of mental health services research and quality and safety initiatives
• 25% - Research and Evidence Generation
• 25% - Program Evaluation
• 10% - Knowledge translation and dissemination

Department Overview

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Services at UC Davis is the 2nd largest in the School of Medicine. We are committed to promoting world class mental health services that help patients and families live their lives more fully. Our four key mission areas - patient care, training and education, research and community engagement - actively support this commitment.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $3,275.86 - $6,026.81
• Salary Frequency: Biweekly
• Salary Grade: 129
• UC Job Title: PROJECT POLICY ANL 4 RP
• UC Job Code: 005258
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100
• Shift (Work Schedule): 8-5
• Location: Behavioral Health Center (HSP048)
• Union Representation: RP - Research and Public Service Professionals
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
• Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
• Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
• Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks