Lead Research Analayst

State of North Carolina

10d

About The Position

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community. Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters! The Lead Research Analyst supports the Innovation and Analysis Section within the Organizational Performance Division, leading mixed-methods research to advance data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement across the agency. This role designs and executes complex research studies, develops surveys, and integrates quantitative and qualitative findings to inform policy and program strategies. It also mentors junior analysts, collaborates with internal teams and external research partners, and ensures rigorous standards for data integrity and actionable insights. The Innovation and Analysis Section is located within the Organizational Performance Division. It’s primary mission is to drive data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement across the agency. It leads the implementation of the Priority Questions Research Agenda, conducts agency-wide statistical analysis, and manages dashboards and data visualization tools to support staff access to actionable insights. The team also responds to data requests, researches best practices, collaborates on innovative initiatives, and evaluates programs and processes to identify opportunities for improvement. The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and five (5) years of progressively experience related to the area of assignment OR An equivalent combination of training and experience

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience designing and implementing mixed-methods research projects preferably including survey development and qualitative protocols.
Proven proficiency in statistical and qualitative analysis (e.g. R, Python, NVivo, Dedoose) and version control tools (e.g., GitHub).
Experience leading collaborative projects with internal teams or external partners.

Responsibilities

Design and implement mixed-methods research studies aligned with departmental strategic objectives.
Develop research protocols, including interview guides, focus group questions, and survey instruments.
Conduct qualitative data collection through interviews, focus groups, and document analysis.
Perform quantitative data collection and analysis using statistical software (e.g., R, Python) and version control tools (e.g., GitHub).
Integrate qualitative and quantitative findings to produce actionable insights for policy and program improvements.
Mentor and guide junior research analysts, ensuring adherence to research protocols and quality standards.
Monitor and coordinate with external researchers to maintain alignment with departmental objectives.
Prepare reports, executive summaries, and presentations for leadership, policymakers, and external stakeholders.
Collaborate on publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at conferences.
Engage with stakeholders to identify research needs and foster collaborative partnerships with academic and community organizations.

Benefits

Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

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