Senior Research and Data Analyst - RA4

State of Oregon•Des Moines, IA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Senior Research and Data Analyst Research Analyst 4 – RA4 FT/Perm Office of Research & Data Salem, Oregon REQ - 193359 Do you enjoy leading data analyses and research studies? Then look no further! Join the Oregon Longitudinal Data Collaborative, an inter-agency state longitudinal data system, as a Research Analyst 4. Why Join Us The Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) envisions a future where all people benefit from the economic, civic, and cultural impact of high-quality postsecondary education, training, and workforce development. Come work with a team that values equity, collaboration and empathy within beautiful Salem, Oregon! Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference… for a lifetime! Our amazing benefits include: Competitive medical, vision and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members. Opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation savings program. A fabulous retirement program. Click here to visit our full benefits website. Work-life balance! 11 paid holidays per year. 3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" per year. 8 hours of sick leave accumulated every month. Progressive vacation leave accrual, starting at 10 hours per month, with increases every 5 years. Hybrid remote work options What You Will Be Doing You will primarily be responsible for leading data analyses and research for the Oregon Longitudinal Data Collaborative (OLDC), an inter-agency state longitudinal data system. The OLDC is housed within the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Office of Research and Data. This includes the collection and governance of data, the validation and rigorous analysis of data, the design and production of objective research based on data, and the development of new processes for data collection, validation, and analysis. The position has two main roles. First, this position will design and complete research and reporting, both ad-hoc and long-term, by analyzing data and preparing research studies and products (e.g., dashboards) for the OLDC Executive Governance Committee, data partner agencies, the Legislature, other state and federal agencies, postsecondary institutions, and other external partners. Second, in partnership with the OLDC director, this position will collaborate with external and internal partners, including other members of the OLDC team, to develop new policies and new products that expand and improve OLDC’s research and data across educational and workforce sectors as the agency adds new collections and reports. This includes coordination with interested parties and presenting to legislature, task forces, and agency staff. The Work at a Glance Lead the design and execution of complex research and data analysis projects that inform education and workforce policy. Develop and apply rigorous quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including sampling strategies, statistical modeling, and equity-centered approaches. Work with large-scale administrative datasets from multiple systems, ensuring data integration, validation, and methodological transparency. Use statistical programming tools (e.g., R, Python, SQL, Stata) to clean, transform, and analyze data for policy-relevant insights. Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences, including policymakers, agency leadership, institutions, and the public. Develop policy briefs, technical reports, presentations, and interactive dashboards that support decision-making and public understanding. Build and maintain partnerships with state agencies, institutions, and community organizations to strengthen data access, research quality, and policy relevance. Consult regularly with agency leadership to identify needs for new research and data products. Coordinate with other agencies, national data sources, other state agency sources, and external groups as necessary to answer research questions. This is a full-time, permanent position headquartered at HECC’s Salem Office and is Management Non-Supervisory. This position is required to either possess and maintain a valid driver's license by the state of residence or provide an acceptable mode of alternative transportation, in order to travel to required training and meetings. The successful candidate may be eligible for in-state hybrid work, which consists of performing duties onsite in a standard office environment and working remotely. R&D currently has a 1 day, in office expectation. For a complete list of duties and working conditions, please contact the recruiter for the position description.

Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree in any disciplines that included six-quarter units in statistics or quantitative analysis methods and procedures, and three years of experience using computerized applications to independently gather, compile, and analyze data and prepare narrative or statistical reports. Two of the three years must have included coordinating complex research projects.
OR Five years of research experience using computerized applications to independently gather, compile, and analyze data and prepare narrative or statistical reports. Two of the five years must have included coordinating complex research projects.
This position is required to either possess and maintain a valid driver's license by the state of residence or provide an acceptable mode of alternative transportation, in order to travel to required training and meetings.

Nice To Haves

An advanced degree in a field relevant to education or workforce research and policy.
Master’s or PhD in data science, economics, sociology, statistics, or related discipline that provides knowledge about public K-12 education, postsecondary education, or workforce policies and related research.
Demonstrated experience leading independent research projects related to public policy.
Expertise designing and executing research projects that address complex public policy issues.
Demonstrated experience communicating research findings to diverse audiences.
Experience translating complex data and policy analysis into clear, actionable insights to various audiences including policymakers, community organizations, and the public.
Experience applying equity lens to data and research.
Demonstrated understanding of how research and data systems reflect structural inequities and ability to design research that advances equity and inclusion.
Experience leading and facilitating engagement with external partners.
Ability to independently manage complex research initiatives, coordinate across teams, and build relationships with external participants and interested parties (e.g., government staff community organizations) to advance research that improves public policy and programs.
Proficiency in statistical analysis of administrative and integrated data sets.
Expertise in using and linking administrative data from multiple sources, including cleaning, transforming, and analyzing data and developing interactive dashboards to inform policy decisions.
Preferred statistical programming languages are R, Python, SQL, or Stata.
If you have some of the skills listed and are excited about the role, we encourage you to apply!

Responsibilities

Lead the design and execution of complex research and data analysis projects that inform education and workforce policy.
Develop and apply rigorous quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including sampling strategies, statistical modeling, and equity-centered approaches.
Work with large-scale administrative datasets from multiple systems, ensuring data integration, validation, and methodological transparency.
Use statistical programming tools (e.g., R, Python, SQL, Stata) to clean, transform, and analyze data for policy-relevant insights.
Translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences, including policymakers, agency leadership, institutions, and the public.
Develop policy briefs, technical reports, presentations, and interactive dashboards that support decision-making and public understanding.
Build and maintain partnerships with state agencies, institutions, and community organizations to strengthen data access, research quality, and policy relevance.
Consult regularly with agency leadership to identify needs for new research and data products.
Coordinate with other agencies, national data sources, other state agency sources, and external groups as necessary to answer research questions.

Benefits

Competitive medical, vision and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members.
Opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation savings program.
A fabulous retirement program.
Work-life balance!
11 paid holidays per year.
3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" per year.
8 hours of sick leave accumulated every month.
Progressive vacation leave accrual, starting at 10 hours per month, with increases every 5 years.
Hybrid remote work options

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