Department:                 Research, Planning & Assessment

Supervisor:                  Director of Research, Planning & Assessment 

Term of Employment:  12 Months

Job Summary:  The Research Specialist/Planning Analyst position is responsible for conducting a variety of analytic research activities having to do with enrollment and growth planning for the district. These include demographic forecasting, facilities planning, overall analysis of growth trends affecting the organization and community, and representation of the district’s planning interests to outside organizations.

Essential Functions:  Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include, but are not limited to, the following tasks, duties, knowledge, skills and other characteristics.  This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents in this class.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES generally include the following.  Other duties may be assigned:

• Principal researcher for the design and implementation of short and long-term forecasting models used to track and forecast student enrollment and residential development; to identify optimal locations for new school facilities based upon growth trends; and to generate and analyze alternative school service area boundaries

• Maintain all data systems used in the planning process including enrollment, economic, and demographic information, as well as detailed databases on residential housing activity within the district’s service area

• Administer the district’s developer assistance activities including interaction with developers and local governing agencies overseeing regional community development (City, County and State)

• Conduct research in areas of regional economic and demographic growth, assessing short and long-term impact on the district’s operations and policy, student learning, budget, and related activities.

• Assist in the development of a district-wide GIS (Geographic Information System) which integrates mapping and data analytic capabilities into the district’s intra & internet systems.

• Produce a wide variety of analytic maps representing spatial information related to district growth, operations, and student learning.

• Support the research department in other areas of analysis to include but not be limited to assessment, staffing, research projects and program analysis.

• Provide technical assistance by researching information, providing information and documents to staff, committees, developers and the general public, and conducting development meetings.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of database management, research methods and practices

• Experience with database management, data processing techniques, and data processing programs such as MS-Access and/or SQL Server

• Working knowledge of at least one statistical software program such as SPSS or SAS is preferred.

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relations with co-workers, vendors, students, parents, the general public and others having business with the school district.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  The minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in urban planning with professional experience in school system or urban planning is required. Other degree programs such as business administration, public administration, geography, education, psychology, economics or sociology may be considered if coursework includes the above analytic content. 

• Professional experience with GIS software (such as ArcView or MapInfo) is required.
• Considerable working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, and Access are required.  Experience with a statistics-oriented software program (such as SPSS or SAS) is preferred.
• Applicants must possess excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:    

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint and background clearance check
• May be required to work outside normal working hours
• May be required to travel to perform work functions