The Research Associate position has the following duties: Design and conduct all aspects of survey research; create enrollment spreadsheets and analyses; compose reports of quantitative and qualitative research; respond to ad hoc data requests and college guide surveys; train and guide the work of student research assistants. Recurring projects typically include Evergreen New Student Survey, Evergreen Student Experience Survey, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) federal reports, Diversity and Equity reports, Student Affairs Indicators, National Student Clearinghouse student data matching projects, and enrollment reports.
Additional duties may include support for Alumni surveys, End-of-Program Review, and data analyses to support grants and other specialized college assessment efforts.
The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment works to improve educational effectiveness through the assessment of teaching and learning, the evaluation of educational practices and services, and the ongoing reporting of demographic and evaluative data for institutional decision making and external reporting. The office’s work includes three major areas: enrollment, retention, and graduation data; assessment in support of institutional improvement, state accountability, and regional accreditation; and research to support institutional planning.
ORGANIZATION FIT
The Research Associate reports to the Director of Institutional Research and Assessment along with the Research Project Coordinators. The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment is an administrative support office within the Academic division of the College. For more information, see the Institutional Research and Assessment website: www.evergreen.edu/institutionalresearch.
POSITION PURPOSE
Provide technical and professional research support to the Director of Institutional Research and Assessment in efforts to inform the college on its achievement of academic goals and student outcomes and opportunities to enhance educational effectiveness. Develop, design, implement, maintain, and modify complex research projects that involve data collection, database management, data extraction and configuration, data analyses, and reports. Scope of work encompasses assessment, accreditation, internal and external reporting, and accountability to meet federal, state, and community needs.
COMPENSATION
- Experience and training may be considered in salary placement.
- Salary range is $3,891 to $4,163 per month of full-time work;
- A full state benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid campus holidays; a generous medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For more information about Evergreen’s excellent employee benefits, please visit http://www.evergreen.edu/payroll/employeebenefits.htm
- Staff are eligible for a free local bus/transit pass;
- Exempt employees that work more than .5 FTE will become eligible for the tuition waiver program.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Ability to design, conduct, and analyze qualitative and quantitative research projects.
- Ability to convey results of quantitative and qualitative research by producing written and graphic documentation and conducting public presentations.
- Ability to use software such as Microsoft Access, Excel, or the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (formerly SPSS, now PASW), for database construction, management, and analysis.
- Ability to work with administrative database systems (such as Banner) to conduct data extraction and analysis.
- Ability to work independently with attention to accuracy and quality.
- Ability to work collaboratively with culturally and gender diverse groups and individuals.
- Ability to manage time across multiple demands, in an environment where work priorities can change quickly.
- Ability to use web design software to edit websites and/or create web surveys.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors Degree including college-level course work in statistics.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Three or more years of demonstrated work experience in the first four of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above.
- Professional-level higher education work experience.
- Experience inventing procedures to manage complex data and ever-changing data systems.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
1. In consultation with the Director, design and conduct survey research; individual and group interviews; and studies involving the college’s student record database (Banner), and analyze and report results of these projects.
This work requires the incumbent to: (a) to collaborate with other staff, faculty and students to identify research questions and coordinate research administration; (b) select research methods appropriate to research questions – typically involving one or a combination of surveys, interviews, or analysis of administrative data; (c) design questionnaires and participant recruitment materials, select sample populations, and maintain participant tracking database; (d) analyze and report results of research projects with attention to data integrity and clarity of results; (e) communicate research findings with groups and individuals whose knowledge of and comfort with quantitative analyses and research methods vary widely; and (f) follow confidentiality procedures regarding public disclosure and research protocols, including completion of Human Subjects Review applications.
2. In consultation with the Director, conduct research on issues of concern to the college.
This work requires the incumbent to: (a) incorporate ad-hoc research projects as determined by senior management into a busy schedule of anticipated projects; (b) provide research and data analysis on the topics of student demographics, student experience, enrollment trends, and assessment of student outcomes; (c) serve on College task forces or committees charged with researching critical issues; (d) track progress of multiple projects; (e) develop unique strategies and solutions to data configuration and analysis as required by ever-changing data systems and data needs; and (f) meet internal and external report deadlines.
3. In consultation with the Director, respond independently to routine requests for information from college offices, federal and state agencies, the legislature, and external college guide publications.
This work requires the incumbent to: (a) conduct data extracts from the college’s student record database (Banner) and curriculum management database; (b) analyze and compile data from the college databases, other standard reports, literature reviews, and external data sources (e.g. IPEDS peer comparison, U.S. Census Bureau, National Student Clearinghouse, or WA Office of Financial Management); (c) coordinate data responses with other college offices; (d) complete standard reports and templates (e.g. 10th day enrollment statistics, IPEDS analysis and reports, senior management reporting tools, college guide surveys); (e) apply records management procedures; (f) follow, revise, and document standard operating procedures; (g) may be asked to represent Evergreen in state-level interagency research or assessment projects.
4. Analyze and report data in displays that are clear and effective and provide succinct written summaries
and graphic representation of quantitative and qualitative data.
5. Train and direct the work of student research assistants as appropriate to complete research projects.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
As a condition of employment, persons hired must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of beginning work, and persons may be required to submit to a background check.
Employment information may be accessed online at http://www.evergreen.edu/employment/staffjobs.htm or call Human Resource Services at (360) 867-5361 (office) or (360) 867-6834 (TTY). The Human Resource Services office is located on the Olympia campus in the Library Building, Room 3102.