Principal Evaluation Scientist

About the Research & Impact Team

The Research & Impact (R&I) team helps Crisis Text Line understand, demonstrate, and strengthen our impact—for people in crisis, our volunteer community, and the broader mental health field. We generate evidence-based insights, set standards for quality and ethical use of data and AI, and share learnings that influence practice, policy, and systems change.

Our work is grounded in a unique, de-identified dataset of more than 11 million crisis conversations, analyzed using AI, machine learning (ML), and natural language processing (NLP). We use these insights to improve services, reduce inequities in mental health care, and advance well-being at scale.

The Role

As Principal Evaluation Scientist, you will lead rigorous evaluation and quality assessment efforts that demonstrate and deepen Crisis Text Line’s impact. Reporting to the VP of Impact Evaluation & Storytelling, you will serve as a senior individual contributor and methodological leader.

You will design and guide complex, mixed-methods evaluations; translate findings into actionable insights; and partner closely with teams across research, clinical operations, product, and global affiliates. Your work will directly inform program improvement, strategic decision-making, funding efforts, and field-wide learning.

This role is open to global applicants.

Responsibilities:

Crisis Text Line is a fast-moving, growing organization with a big vision and a critical mission. To serve our mission and vision, each role must be agile and flexible to meet the needs of the business, aligning their work with priorities as defined by their manager and team leaders.

Impact Evaluation & Learning

• Lead rigorous mixed-methods evaluations, from study design through analysis and dissemination
• Serve as a methodological partner to ensure evaluations are equitable, decision-ready, and actionable
• Evaluate service quality, volunteer experience, texter outcomes, and systems-level change
• Deliver rapid evaluations to inform new initiatives and evolving programs
• Translate complex findings into clear insights that drive learning and strategy
  

Data Storytelling & Knowledge Sharing

• Partner with Data Storytelling and AI/NLP research teams to produce insight products and reports
• Create clear, compelling written materials and visuals grounded in strong methodology
• Contextualize findings within mental health trends, stakeholder priorities, and CTL’s mission
  

Business Development & External Reporting

• Contribute evaluation frameworks and evidence-based narratives to funding proposals
• Develop evaluation-driven materials for grant reporting and donor communications
• Produce polished, audience-ready summaries, charts, and case examples
  

Field Building & Collaboration

• Develop evaluation methods and metrics for use across global partners and affiliates
• Support shared learning with researchers and practitioners across the field
• Apply emerging best practices in evaluation and systems change to strengthen impact
• Help translate insights into action across the organization

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in evaluation, applied research, measurement, or social impact assessment
• Deep expertise in mixed-methods evaluation, including quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Experience with evaluation approaches such as impact evaluation, developmental evaluation, systems-oriented evaluation, participatory or community-based evaluation, and strategic learning
• Strong methodological judgment, including advising on study design, sampling, and analytic strategies
• Experience using or partnering on AI/ML-enabled approaches to support evaluation or analysis
• Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to translate complex findings for diverse audiences
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally in fast-paced, complex environments
• Experience producing evaluation or research outputs for programmatic, policy, public, or philanthropic audiences
  

Nice to Have

• Bilingual in Spanish and English

Reliable High-Speed Internet Required: Must have a stable high-speed internet connection to support seamless remote collaboration, virtual meetings, online job tasks, etc.

For United States-based candidates:

The full salary range for this position, across all United States geographies, is $120,120 to $144,000. The upper portion of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting salary will vary by location, qualifications, and prior experience; during the interview process, candidates will learn the starting salary range applicable for their location. We pay competitively in the tech-forward nonprofit space and offer a robust benefits package.

This is a remote-only position

Only candidates in the following states will be eligible for employment: CO, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NM, NY, NC, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA.