Researcher, Workforce and Postsecondary Education

Overview Established in 1946, with headquarters in Crystal City, Virginia, AIR is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research on important social issues and delivers technical assistance and capacity building services domestically and internationally in health, social development, education, and workforce to a growing roster of clients and partners. Our mission is to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world. AIR currently has an opportunity for Workforce Program Area Researcher to work on mixed methods projects focused on postsecondary readiness and transitions, college access and affordability, and postsecondary education and degree and career pathways and outcomes. This position can be remote or located out of any of the following AIR locations once offices are reopened: Crystal City, VA, Rockville, MD, Austin, TX, Chicago, IL, Chapel Hill, NC or Sacramento, CA. Responsibilities The Researcher will work on multiple mixed-methods projects across the above areas, with responsibilities that include: * Lead the design and planning of qualitative and/or quantitative data collection instruments including interview protocols, focus group protocols, and surveys * Conduct quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of data sets * Coordinate and manage field based, district and/or school level data collection activities including interviews, structured observations, focus groups, and document review * Manage the coding and data analysis from surveys, interviews, observations, and extant data using the appropriate analysis tools * Write reports, including briefs, charts, and graphs that describe and interpret findings of analyses for clients * Support project and team organization, including taking notes during internal meetings, making and updating project timelines, and ensuring documents are uploaded to a shared drive * Contribute to the conceptualization and design of research studies * Design data collection frameworks and/or data crosswalks * Monitor, coordinate, and provide direction to assigned project staff; providing advice and guidance on appropriate research methods, analysis, and reporting * Develop and manage daily relationships with clients to plan, implement, and present study results while maintaining appropriate professional objectivity Qualifications Required: * Ph.D. in Education, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, Public Policy or other related field, or Master's degree with 4-7 years of relevant work experience * Experience with data collection activities from the field using a variety of methodologies and data collection techniques such as structured interviews, observations, and survey research * Experience with leading data analysis activities using descriptive and inferential statistics and managing the analysis of interview and focus group data * Effective communicator * Demonstrated familiarity with the organization of data, including database structure, record layouts, and file structure * Demonstrated knowledge and experience of research principles and research design * Ability to clearly articulate the mission around education reform, quality improvement, the field of afterschool * Knowledge of various analytic and data management software (e.g., SPSS, EXCEL, STATA, NViVO and Access) * Available to travel locally and nationally Preferred: * Relevant expertise, experience, and interest in research and study design, data collection, analysis, and reporting on any/all of the following topic areas: * College readiness and success initiatives * College planning, financial aid, and student debt * Community/technical colleges and state systems * Minority serving institutions, including Tribal Colleges and Universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions * Career and technical education programming and pathways * Diversity, equity, and inclusion Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. #LI-AS1

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