Orange Coast College

Research Analyst Senior

Job# O-019-21

Salary: $75,634.00 - $101,968.00 Annually

Deadline: 4/9/2021 11:59 PM Pacific

Full job description and OFFICIAL application available ONLY at: http://50.73.55.13/counter.php?id=195398

Summary

Organizes, designs, and leads comprehensive research processes, program sequences, and studies.   Designs and conducts tests, advanced analysis, and validation from various unique sources, and other sequenced research steps using accepted-to-novel study designs and testing/research methodologies.  Organizes and coordinates tests of research work and data provided by peers, verifies significance and quality of data, and prepares validation reports. 

Distinguishing Career Features

The Senior Research Analyst is the third professional level in a career path for education data collection, research, and test validation.  Research Associates begin the career path and will learn and apply clearly defined program and research design procedures, conduct surveys, design data structures, and analyze statistical information.   Research Analyst requires at least two years of experience at the equivalent to an Associate, expanded knowledge of project and study design, research procedures, the ability to design and coordinate program steps to meet standards and outcomes, ability to perform difficult academic assessments using statistical inferences and research literature prepared by others, and coordinate preparation of data-driven reports.  The Senior Research Analyst requires a master's degree, three years of experience at the equivalent to an Analyst, and an expanded ability to perform program or study design, and used advanced research, statistical, and survey methods and procedures.  Senior Research Analysts are capable of, and will generally administer research or data management projects. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Specific duties may vary among departments and jobs.  Incumbents typically perform a substantial portion or all of the following kinds of duties:

• The Senior Research Analyst develops and applies best practices in leadership of program design, data management, statistical analysis, research, test validation, and survey environments. 

• Coordinates, conducts, and participates in education research studies in support of institutional effectiveness and decision making.  Research studies include but not limited to student achievement, outcomes, demographics, and institutional characteristics.  

• Participates in, and may coordinate, viability studies for programs and outcomes grants and other funding. Researches funding and resource availability.  Participates in developing strategies and proposals to access funding for programs and initiatives.  

• Creates study and evaluation designs to measure project outcomes to established goals and hypotheses.  Sets up tests of predetermined design to analyze research results and data performed and documented by others.  Sequences the steps for setting up tests of academic and demographic facts. 

• Designs and develops data collection tools and measurement instruments and procedures including tests, surveys, rating scales, observation recordings, and structured interview worksheets. Trains and provides technical support to faculty, staff, and management on data collection, recording methods, and measurements of outcomes. 

• Designs and develops custom, integrated spreadsheet and database templates for inputting, accumulating, formatting, and organizing program data.   Develops web-based portals to enter, edit, and transmit information. 

• Oversees and prepares data analysis, merging and transforming files and data, and identification of outliers for further study.  Performs routine statistical tests as required for the assigned project, program, or study, and answer questions. 

• Performs quality assurance of research and empirical data such as its source, sampling techniques, format, and accuracy of data transmittal.  Conducts statistical inquiry and may develop research investigative procedures. 

• Writes research reports containing descriptive, analytical, and evaluative content.  Describes, organizes, analyzes, and presents academic assessment data and evaluations using descriptive inferential statistics and deductive and inductive reasoning.  

• Conducts research of best and evident-based practices used in education and related industries.  Researches and analyzes external report findings, trends in education, community characteristics, and translates implications to current work. 

• Recommends strategies or proposals for grant development, and composes proposed program/project objectives, work plans, cost-of-service, and measurable outcomes. 

• Initiates and coordinates surveys to gather academic, demographic, and other institutional information for use in analytics for both the District and its Colleges.  Participates in preparing survey summaries and other documentation. 

• Sets up 'evaluation' routines to assess the work-in-progress and outcomes of other programs and projects.  Prepares and reviews reports with project leaders. 

• Develops and maintains collaborative partnerships/working relationships with District and campus personnel.

• Using established enterprise reporting tools, develop queries for data extraction, reporting, and analysis, with an emphasis on automatization.  May include identification of data structures and sources, validation of data, and/or original programming using SQL or other programming languages.

• Provides data for compliance reporting to state and federal agencies, with an emphasis on developing consistent and compliant reporting procedures.

• Develops and/or facilitates the design of assessment tools and measures for program assessment and review, including assessment of student learning.

• Provides support to the college's strategic and operational planning processes, including training, process management, and evaluation, and assisting departments with the development of strategies and goals.

• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Qualifications and Physical Demands

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Knowledge and Skills

The position requires professional specialization in the theories, principles, and practices associated with academic and demographic research planning, design, methodologies, and study/program evaluation.  The position requires specialized knowledge of data gathering, analysis, and descriptive and inferential statistical methods used in educational research. Requires in-depth knowledge of data structures and relationships to support data entry, retrieval, and conversion techniques. Requires working knowledge of the structures used and methods for preparing research reports. Requires knowledge of the educational environment, of vertical subject matter articulation, evidence-based curriculum, and blended instruction practices. Requires advanced skills using office productivity applications such as spreadsheets, statistical and simulation applications, and presentation graphics. Requires sufficient language and writing skill to read, and understand professional literature, research, and research instructions. Requires well-developed math skills to conduct tests and analyze statistical data using descriptive and inferential methods. Requires sufficient human relations skills to convey technical concepts and consult with internal contacts for purposes of conducting interviews, facilitating focus groups, and for testing, conversion of data, and problem-solving.

Abilities

Requires the ability to perform the functions of the position, including planning, researching, testing, and reporting. Requires the ability to define a problem, develop hypotheses, sequence and adapt the study process, and conduct a complex array of tests. Requires the ability to analyze and interpret analyze and interpret academic, demographic, and environmental data and statistical methods and conclusions. Requires the ability to use the computers, operating systems, peripherals, and other equipment used by the District and education oversight agencies for information querying, retrieval, storage, analysis, and processing. Requires the ability to direct the work or actively lead and provide technical guidance to other Associates and educators.  Requires the ability to work collaboratively, follow logical progressions of research, testing, and reporting and to think logically, creatively, and in abstract terms. Requires the ability to employ critical thinking and evaluation techniques when testing the significance of research-oriented data. Requires the ability to analyze and solve technical problems under time pressure. Requires the ability to read, interpret and apply complex technical information. Requires the ability to work collaboratively within and among internal and external programs, projects, and study teams. Requires the ability to plan and organize work to meet timelines and to prepare clear and comprehensive reports expected of this level.

Education and Experience

The position requires a Master's Degree in education or a research-oriented discipline such as math, psychology, education, data science, or equivalent discipline and three years of experience in a novel research or data management environment.  Or, any combination of education and experience which would provide the required qualifications for this position.

Licenses and Certificates

May require a valid driver's license.

Physical Abilities

Requires the ability to function indoors in an office environment engaged in work of a sedentary nature.  Requires the ability to perform repetitive data entry and transfer for intermittent periods of time.  Requires the ability to retrieve work materials within reach.  Requires the near visual acuity to write and to read written materials and data appearing on computer screens.  Requires arm-hand-finger dexterity to use a keyboard and pointing device for operating a computer. Requires the ability to use hearing and speech for personal and telephone conversations, hear sound prompts from equipment, and to facilitate discussions with small groups of team members.

Working Conditions

Work is performed indoors where minimal safety considerations exist.

THE COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER