Evaluation and Research Associate (PRN32883B)

About the Utah Education Policy Center
The Utah Education Policy Center (UEPC) is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit research-based center at the University of Utah founded in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy in 1990 and administered through the College of Education since 2007. The UEPC mission is to bridge research, policy, and practice in public schools and higher education to increase educational equity, excellence, access, and opportunities for all children and adults.

The UEPC informs, influences, and improves the quality of educational policies, practices, and leadership through research, evaluation, and technical assistance. We are committed to supporting the understanding of whether educational policies, programs, and practices are being implemented as intended, whether they are effective and impactful, and how they may be improved, scaled-up, and made sustainable.

Job Summary
The UEPC is seeking a full time Research Associate to join our evaluation team. Research Associates support a variety of research and evaluation projects at the center. Activities include designing research and evaluation plans and data collection tools, conducting analyses, preparing reports and other deliverables (e.g., briefs, presentations), building relationships with clients, and facilitating client meetings.

We have a deep portfolio of research and evaluation projects that range from small short-term projects with community-based organizations to multi-year projects with local, state, and federal grant programs. Our portfolio of research and evaluation projects includes both the fields of K12 and higher education.

Staff at the UEPC are a high-performance team who have diverse professional experiences and expertise. We work with a variety of clients whose programs aim to maximize opportunities to serve students, educators, and communities. As a self-funded research-based center, the UEPC is a project-based organization. Our work requires staff to work both independently and collaboratively in a manner that ensures high quality, timely, and rigorous research and evaluation.

We believe in and support ongoing professional learning and growth opportunities. As part of the University of Utah, we offer competitive benefits and access to resources.

University of Utah Job ID# PRN32883B 01323 - Utah Education Policy Center

COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience

WORK SCHEDULE: Generally, M-F 8am-5pm. Evenings and/or weekends may be needed to meet deadlines.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Carry out research and/or evaluation tasks for multiple, concurrent projects.
Collaborate as a team member to design studies, including by conducting literature reviews and developing data collection, analysis, and reporting/communication plans.
Develop research and evaluation instruments (e.g., survey instruments, observation protocols, focus group protocols, and interview protocols).
Administer surveys and conduct observations, focus groups, and/or interviews.
Manage project data, including both quantitative and qualitative data.
Report research and evaluation results in user-friendly, accessible formats that meet clients' needs, including by creating presentations, written reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, briefs, white papers, and/or data visualizations of research and evaluation results.
Assist with grant writing efforts and/or scopes of work for proposed projects.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications

Earned master's degree in education, sociology, psychology, public policy, or an applied social science.
Expertise in quantitative and/or qualitative methods
At least two years of full-time experience conducting program evaluations; or related research projects, needs assessments, policy analyses, and/or strategic planning projects.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent critical thinking, analytic, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to complete tasks for multiple, concurrent projects accurately and on time.
Ability to give and receive feedback to improve research and evaluation deliverables.
Understanding of local, regional, and/or national issues and policies affecting PK-16+ education.

PREFERENCES:

PhD/EdD in education, sociology, psychology, public policy, or an applied social science
Five years of full-time experience conducting program evaluations or related research projects, needs assessments, policy analyses, and/or strategic planning projects.
Experience in project management or managing research/evaluation projects.
Experience building internal and external evaluation capacity.
Experience applying for research and evaluation grants.
Experience working in a K12 organization, higher education organization, or organization that works with K12 or higher education organizations.

TO APPLY, VISIT: https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/141324

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education for historically underrepresented students.

Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both. oeo@utah.edu