Post by ketchup on Jun 6, 2011 22:15:20 GMT -5
Position Title: Research Analyst
Unit: Policy Analysis and Research
Classification: Full-time, exempt, professional position
Starting Salary Range: $4,000 to $5,000 per month commensurate with qualifications (the equivalence of $48,000 to $60,000 on a full-time basis)
Position Available: Immediately
To Apply: For full and timely consideration, a detailed resume should be submitted to WICHE Human Resources. Electronic submissions are preferred; please send application materials to WICHE Human Resources at jobs@wiche.edu. WICHE's mailing address is 3035 Center Green Drive, #200, Boulder, Colorado, 80301-2204. Review of applications will begin on Friday, June 17, 2011; position will remain open until filled.
WICHE has a long-term commitment to diversity throughout its organizational structure, internal relationships, program activities, and relationships with external constituencies. The organization strives to hire, support and promote culturally diverse personnel at all levels THE ORGANIZATION The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education - WICHE - is a regional agency established in the 1950's through an interstate compact. WICHE was created to promote and to facilitate resource sharing, collaboration, and cooperative planning among Western states, their colleges and universities, and their systems of higher education. By constructing cooperative arrangements and developing and sharing information, WICHE strives to help states and their residents to meet the needs for an educated workforce. Member states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.wiche.edu.
POLICY ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH
The Policy Analysis and Research Unit is involved in the research, analysis, and reporting of information on public policy issues of concern in the WICHE states. The unit provides policy support for policymakers, education leaders, board members, and others in the Western states. Key activities include providing research, analysis, and reports on public policy issues; convening constituents through multistate policy forums and state roundtables on issues critical to their needs; monitoring social, demographic, fiscal, economic, political, and market trends to identify emerging higher education issues; tracking state legislative, executive office, and board activity; reviewing publications from other organizations and associations; and responding to inquiries and special requests. Current project areas include adult learners, college access and success, higher education finance, financial aid, statewide longitudinal data systems, and workforce development. Related ongoing research involves a regional fact book; a series of short reports on emerging policy issues (e.g., financial aid, tuition, information technology, high school graduates, and legislative activity related to higher education); and an annual survey on Tuition & Fees in Public Higher Education in the West.
The Position
Under the supervision of the Director of Policy Research, the research analyst will provide support in the collection, management, presentation, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data and other information in support of the unit's activities, which include research projects, analytical tool development, and technical assistance related to state higher education and workforce development policies and practices. The research analyst will also strive to provide clarity and to synthesize the large volume of relevant research in the higher education policy space for the organization's and the unit's principal audiences.
Specific responsibilities are described below:
· Assisting in the collection, management, and analysis of data related to education and workforce, especially colleges and universities. Data will come from multiple sources, including but not limited to the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Education Statistics, other federal data sources, individual state databases, or self-collections such as surveys. Careful documentation of work is essential in managing data. Documentation, as well as efficiency in data management, may require the use of code.
· Preparing and manipulating spreadsheets and databases to generate tables, charts, maps, and other visual representations of data or information.
· Preparing updates to regularly updated publicly available repositories of information, including a series of data tables (Policy Indicators for Higher Education, available at www.wiche.edu/factbook/), an annual data report (Benchmarks, available at www.wiche.edu/info/publications/2010Benchmarks.pdf), and an annual report of published tuition and fees (http://www.wiche.edu/info/publications/Tuition_and_Fees2010-11.pdf). · Preparing an update to the 8th edition of WICHE's Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates by State and Race/Ethnicity report (http://www.wiche.edu/knocking).
· Assisting with design and implementation of research projects and proposals.
· Preparing policy briefs and other written material.
· Assisting with the delivery of presentations to a variety of audiences, including public policymakers, state and institutional higher education officials, members of the research and scholarly communities, and others.
· Responding to inquiries from a variety of constituents and stakeholders, which may include commission members, state agency officials, legislators and their staff members, governors' staff members, and the media.
· Other duties as assigned.
Position Specifications
Required:
1. Master's degree and four years of professional work experience or equivalent.
2. Demonstrated quantitative literacy and competency in managing large amounts of quantitative data accurately and efficiently using spreadsheets and database applications, including careful documentation.
3. Demonstrated competency in generating effective presentations of data, including charts, graphs, maps, and other visual representations. 4. Knowledge of relevant key data sources, including those managed by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (especially IPEDS, CCD, PSS, and various longitudinal sample surveys) and the U.S. Census Bureau. General awareness of existing efforts to construct and use statewide longitudinal data systems.
5. Exceptional attention to detail.
6. Experience with qualitative research methods, such as interviews and focus groups.
7. Proficiency with one or more of the following database/spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, SQL.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and cordial working relationships.
9. Ability to think creatively, produce accurate and timely written reports, and speak to and write clearly for policy audiences such as legislators, governors' staff, and state agency officials.
10. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision within a team structure.
11. Knowledge of, general familiarity with, and interest in higher education and public policies relating to it.
12. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and data security.
Preferred:
1. Doctorate in a field appropriate to the research and analysis of public policy, such as political science, higher education, public policy, sociology, or economics.
2. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
3. Direct experience with statistical programs such as SAS, SPSS, or STATA, including the ability to manage large datasets and to create code in those applications to clean data and run procedures.
4. Proficiency with applying statistical techniques to answering research questions and to performing missing data imputation.
5. Experience working in a policy-setting context, especially at the state level, such as through work with a state legislature; a state agency; or a non-profit organization that analyzes, advocates, or otherwise deals with state policy.
Travel: Limited travel may be required, depending on specific project requirements and interest; an estimate of 4-8 trips per year is likely.
Benefits: 20 days of vacation per year; 12 days of sick leave per year; 11 paid holidays per year, 2 personal business leave days per year. Participation in WICHE's fully vested TIAA-CREF retirement plan is required after one year's employment, with WICHE matching the staff member's contribution of 3%, 4%, or 5% of salary at a 2:1 ratio. WICHE offers medical and dental insurance, life insurance equal to one and one-half times the staff member's annual salary (maximum coverage of $200,000). Short and long-term disability insurance is also available. Staff members are eligible to participate in WICHE's Section 125 and 129 flexible spending accounts. Staff development benefits are available for job-related professional development (contingent upon available funds).
Unit: Policy Analysis and Research
Classification: Full-time, exempt, professional position
Starting Salary Range: $4,000 to $5,000 per month commensurate with qualifications (the equivalence of $48,000 to $60,000 on a full-time basis)
Position Available: Immediately
To Apply: For full and timely consideration, a detailed resume should be submitted to WICHE Human Resources. Electronic submissions are preferred; please send application materials to WICHE Human Resources at jobs@wiche.edu. WICHE's mailing address is 3035 Center Green Drive, #200, Boulder, Colorado, 80301-2204. Review of applications will begin on Friday, June 17, 2011; position will remain open until filled.
WICHE has a long-term commitment to diversity throughout its organizational structure, internal relationships, program activities, and relationships with external constituencies. The organization strives to hire, support and promote culturally diverse personnel at all levels THE ORGANIZATION The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education - WICHE - is a regional agency established in the 1950's through an interstate compact. WICHE was created to promote and to facilitate resource sharing, collaboration, and cooperative planning among Western states, their colleges and universities, and their systems of higher education. By constructing cooperative arrangements and developing and sharing information, WICHE strives to help states and their residents to meet the needs for an educated workforce. Member states are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.wiche.edu.
POLICY ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH
The Policy Analysis and Research Unit is involved in the research, analysis, and reporting of information on public policy issues of concern in the WICHE states. The unit provides policy support for policymakers, education leaders, board members, and others in the Western states. Key activities include providing research, analysis, and reports on public policy issues; convening constituents through multistate policy forums and state roundtables on issues critical to their needs; monitoring social, demographic, fiscal, economic, political, and market trends to identify emerging higher education issues; tracking state legislative, executive office, and board activity; reviewing publications from other organizations and associations; and responding to inquiries and special requests. Current project areas include adult learners, college access and success, higher education finance, financial aid, statewide longitudinal data systems, and workforce development. Related ongoing research involves a regional fact book; a series of short reports on emerging policy issues (e.g., financial aid, tuition, information technology, high school graduates, and legislative activity related to higher education); and an annual survey on Tuition & Fees in Public Higher Education in the West.
The Position
Under the supervision of the Director of Policy Research, the research analyst will provide support in the collection, management, presentation, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data and other information in support of the unit's activities, which include research projects, analytical tool development, and technical assistance related to state higher education and workforce development policies and practices. The research analyst will also strive to provide clarity and to synthesize the large volume of relevant research in the higher education policy space for the organization's and the unit's principal audiences.
Specific responsibilities are described below:
· Assisting in the collection, management, and analysis of data related to education and workforce, especially colleges and universities. Data will come from multiple sources, including but not limited to the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Education Statistics, other federal data sources, individual state databases, or self-collections such as surveys. Careful documentation of work is essential in managing data. Documentation, as well as efficiency in data management, may require the use of code.
· Preparing and manipulating spreadsheets and databases to generate tables, charts, maps, and other visual representations of data or information.
· Preparing updates to regularly updated publicly available repositories of information, including a series of data tables (Policy Indicators for Higher Education, available at www.wiche.edu/factbook/), an annual data report (Benchmarks, available at www.wiche.edu/info/publications/2010Benchmarks.pdf), and an annual report of published tuition and fees (http://www.wiche.edu/info/publications/Tuition_and_Fees2010-11.pdf). · Preparing an update to the 8th edition of WICHE's Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates by State and Race/Ethnicity report (http://www.wiche.edu/knocking).
· Assisting with design and implementation of research projects and proposals.
· Preparing policy briefs and other written material.
· Assisting with the delivery of presentations to a variety of audiences, including public policymakers, state and institutional higher education officials, members of the research and scholarly communities, and others.
· Responding to inquiries from a variety of constituents and stakeholders, which may include commission members, state agency officials, legislators and their staff members, governors' staff members, and the media.
· Other duties as assigned.
Position Specifications
Required:
1. Master's degree and four years of professional work experience or equivalent.
2. Demonstrated quantitative literacy and competency in managing large amounts of quantitative data accurately and efficiently using spreadsheets and database applications, including careful documentation.
3. Demonstrated competency in generating effective presentations of data, including charts, graphs, maps, and other visual representations. 4. Knowledge of relevant key data sources, including those managed by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (especially IPEDS, CCD, PSS, and various longitudinal sample surveys) and the U.S. Census Bureau. General awareness of existing efforts to construct and use statewide longitudinal data systems.
5. Exceptional attention to detail.
6. Experience with qualitative research methods, such as interviews and focus groups.
7. Proficiency with one or more of the following database/spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, SQL.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and cordial working relationships.
9. Ability to think creatively, produce accurate and timely written reports, and speak to and write clearly for policy audiences such as legislators, governors' staff, and state agency officials.
10. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision within a team structure.
11. Knowledge of, general familiarity with, and interest in higher education and public policies relating to it.
12. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and data security.
Preferred:
1. Doctorate in a field appropriate to the research and analysis of public policy, such as political science, higher education, public policy, sociology, or economics.
2. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
3. Direct experience with statistical programs such as SAS, SPSS, or STATA, including the ability to manage large datasets and to create code in those applications to clean data and run procedures.
4. Proficiency with applying statistical techniques to answering research questions and to performing missing data imputation.
5. Experience working in a policy-setting context, especially at the state level, such as through work with a state legislature; a state agency; or a non-profit organization that analyzes, advocates, or otherwise deals with state policy.
Travel: Limited travel may be required, depending on specific project requirements and interest; an estimate of 4-8 trips per year is likely.
Benefits: 20 days of vacation per year; 12 days of sick leave per year; 11 paid holidays per year, 2 personal business leave days per year. Participation in WICHE's fully vested TIAA-CREF retirement plan is required after one year's employment, with WICHE matching the staff member's contribution of 3%, 4%, or 5% of salary at a 2:1 ratio. WICHE offers medical and dental insurance, life insurance equal to one and one-half times the staff member's annual salary (maximum coverage of $200,000). Short and long-term disability insurance is also available. Staff members are eligible to participate in WICHE's Section 125 and 129 flexible spending accounts. Staff development benefits are available for job-related professional development (contingent upon available funds).