Research and Planning Analyst - District Office

State Center Community College District•Fresno, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs quantitative and qualitative research studies, surveys and other analyses; prepares research papers, reports, visual displays and recommendations in order to communicate data for others to understand outcomes and make decisions; participates in presentations of research findings with a broad variety of constituents; participates in the design of research studies; and performs related duties as assigned. The duties include working with faculty, administrators and other researchers to define research objectives and questions, identifying required data sets and sources, ensuring compliance with FERPA, identifying appropriate research methodologies and statistical analysis techniques, extracting, collecting, analyzing and reconciling data related to accreditation, academic programs, grants, enrollment, curriculum management, student demographics, learning outcomes, student retention and persistence, and conducting literature reviews. The role also involves developing complex queries and tools to generate and format data for evidence-based decision making, validating data interpretation and extraction methods, formatting data for state and local reporting requirements, generating data sets for grant applications, and populating data for dashboards. The analyst will analyze data for trends, perform statistical analyses, prepare action-based interpretations, and collaborate with campus constituencies to communicate and use research findings. Additionally, the position requires performing data queries using SQL and other tools, creating reports from college databases, documenting best practices for data queries, populating and updating data for dashboards, serving as a resource for systemic review and evaluation, acting as a functional expert for statistical software and college databases, testing system upgrades, transferring and reconciling data between software programs, and uploading data to state and accrediting bodies. The role also involves participating in the development of a data warehouse and data definitions, demonstrating sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups, and participating in professional development to enhance equity-minded practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social science, political science, psychology, educational psychology, sociology, criminology, geography, anthropology, economics, education, leadership, statistics, biology, chemistry, physics, business administration including data analytics and/or cognitive science from an accredited college or university.
At least three years of progressively responsible experience performing quantitative and/or qualitative research, including responsibility for research design, methodology development and statistical analysis.
Experience in a social science or institutional research environment is preferred.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of institutional, social science and other quantitative research.
Knowledge of professionally accepted research practices applicable to research methodology development/selection, data analysis and interpretation and reporting.
Knowledge of principles and practices of survey development, design and dissemination, including use of creation and distribution software such as Qualtrics.
Knowledge of theories, principles, methods and techniques of statistical analysis.
Knowledge of data preparation and statistical analysis software packages such as R, Python, Tableau Prep and/or SPSS.
Knowledge of data extraction and query tools such as SQL) at a level required for assigned responsibilities.
Knowledge of concepts, methods and techniques for the creation of data dashboards, including visual data display software such as Tableau or Power BI.
Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of administrative, organizational and management analysis.
Knowledge of Federal and state laws and regulations applicable to the work including Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and relevant sections of the California Education Code.
Knowledge of database management principles and methods.
Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment including computers and applicable software programs.
Knowledge of practices and techniques of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Knowledge of College and District organization, Board policies, administrative rules and procedures applicable to departmental and division operations.
Knowledge of safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the assignment.
Knowledge of uses and operations of scanners, phone systems, computers, standard business software, and database and spreadsheet applications.
Ability to consultatively provide information and guidance to College faculty and staff on research data sources and extraction methods and tools, analysis best practices, techniques and appropriate analytical and display software.
Ability to identify, investigate and define research questions, issues and problems and locate sources of reliable and reproducible data to meet research needs and requirements, as appropriate to assigned scope of responsibility.
Ability to understand, interpret, explain and apply standard research methodologies and techniques.
Ability to develop and use complex queries and other data extraction tools to generate reliable and reproducible data for use in conducting research and analysis for a variety of student outcome and other college planning, accreditation, reporting and other purposes.
Ability to use interactive statistical analysis, visual display and other software, packages efficiently.
Ability to operate computers and make advanced functional use of standard business software, including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, graphics and database applications.
Ability to use specialized software to create and disseminate survey instruments.
Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of faculty and staff in carrying out research and reporting functions.
Ability to effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices.
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
Ability to present research and data analysis findings clearly, logically and in a meaningful and understandable form, using a wide variety of modalities, to a variety of audiences.
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information.
Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential issues and situations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a social science or institutional research environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs quantitative and qualitative research studies, surveys and other analyses.
Prepares research papers, reports, visual displays and recommendations.
Communicates data for others to understand outcomes and make decisions.
Participates in presentations of research findings with a broad variety of constituents.
Participates in the design of research studies.
Works with faculty, administrators and other researchers to define research objectives and questions and to identify required data sets and data sources.
Ensures compliance with Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements regarding the use and protection of student data.
Identifies appropriate research methodologies, statistical analysis techniques and data resources and plans study methods to achieve research objectives.
Extracts, collects, analyzes and reconciles data and information related to accreditation, academic programs, grants, enrollment and curriculum management, student demographics and learning outcomes, student retention and persistence and other relevant data.
Conducts literature reviews.
Develops complex queries and other tools to generate and format data requested by faculty and staff.
Validates data interpretation and extraction methods.
Formats data from college databases and other sources for submission to state and local entities to meet reporting requirements.
Generates data sets required for grant applications and reporting.
Populates data for dashboards and other visual display interfaces.
Analyzes data for trends and performs statistical analyses.
Prepares action-based interpretations of patterns and analyses in the form of written reports, oral presentations, graphics, handouts and committee reports.
Collaborates with various campus constituencies to communicate, interpret, refine and use research findings in decision-making processes and in the implementation of new and modified programs, policies, practices and systems.
Performs data queries using Structured Query Language (SQL) and other tools and creates reports from college databases using a variety of computer languages and query tools.
Participates in documenting best practices for conducting data queries ensuring valid, reproducible data.
Serves as a resource for faculty, staff and administration groups engaged in systemic review and evaluation of current District practices.
Serves as a functional expert for statistical software programs and modules and college databases.
Tests and reviews systems upgrades.
Transfers and reconciles data between software programs.
Uploads data to the State Chancellor’s Office, the California Community College System Office, accrediting bodies and other organizations as needed.
Participates with other Institutional Research and Information Technology staff and provides input and assistance in developing a data warehouse, data warehouse features, agreed upon data definitions and data sources.
Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the District.
Troubleshoots and/or validates accuracy of coding for data extractions performed by employees in other departments.
Takes meeting notes and minutes, updates relevant document management sites, and assists with other departmental administrative support duties.
May provide work guidance and direction to student workers assisting with research and data extraction.
May assist and provide administrative support to a Director in coordinating with college and district committees and ad hoc groups involved in planning, accreditation, program review and other functions.
May conduct training sessions and workshops on data acquisition, usage and reporting.
May represent the department on college committees and ad hoc groups.