Assistant Researcher

University of Kansas • Lawrence, KS

38d • Onsite

About The Position

Do you enjoy developing visual summaries for data? Do you use Excel/Google Sheets/Power BI formulas in your daily life? Do you consider yourself a very organized person and a fast learner? Do you love learning new skills? Are you a strong editor who pays close attention to detail? If you answered yes to all of these questions, this is the job for you. This Assistant Researcher will support the evaluation of Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) Technical Assistance System Network (TASN) and the Arizona College and Career Competency Framework. They will work directly with the Principal Investigators to collect, analyze, and summarize data for numerous stakeholder groups and will collaborate with the Principal Investigators to determine the effectiveness of trainings, fidelity of implementation, and the projects' impact on students, including students with disabilities. They may travel a few days per month to conduct onsite observations and evaluations of professional development. This position requires a driver's license and ability to travel (including overnights).

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and four years of related professional experience OR a bachelor's degree in education, research, social sciences, or a related field.
• Demonstrated excellence in written communication, specifically in interpreting and presenting data for non-academic or general audiences, as evidenced by application materials (e.g., resume, cover letter, or attached writing samples).
• Demonstrated ability to organize complex tasks, manage multiple priorities, and learn new procedures or technologies quickly, as evidenced by examples provided in the resume and/or cover letter.
• Proven success working in fast-paced, deadline-driven settings, completing multiple tasks accurately and on time, as evidenced by professional experience described in the resume and/or cover letter.

Nice To Haves

• Experience creatively displaying data within large datasets using Excel, Google, Power BI or other tools, evidenced in application materials and interview.
• Data analysis experience including reliability analyses, correlations, and differences among groups and across time, evidenced in application materials and interview.
• Experience developing comprehensive evaluations, evidenced in application materials and interview.
• Experience evaluating educational initiatives, evidenced in application materials and interview.
• Knowledge of KSDE TASN professional development initiatives and/or the College and Career Competency Framework, evidenced in interview.

Responsibilities

• Support the Principal Investigators to implement comprehensive evaluation plans including both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Tasks include designing and programing evaluation instruments, distributing surveys to respondents, sending follow-up reminders, tabulating and analyzing data, and revising surveys based on quantitative and qualitative data.
• Collect data during professional learning events. Observe and evaluate the use of adult learning principles and evidence-based professional development components at trainings and coaching events (face-to-face and online); provide constructive feedback and coach trainers to improve their professional development.
• Report data associated with the evaluation results using text and graphical representations that are easily understood by a range of audiences. Tasks include programming automatic data displays in Google Sheets, Power BI, and Excel, basic editing, drafting communication, and updating research synopses.
• Edit content (documents, videos, webpages) to meet ADA Section 508 accessibility standards.
• Digitally file and organize data. Develop and follow procedures to maintain ongoing data collection and reporting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Ambulatory Health Care Services
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees