Research Analyst

The University of Maine at Augusta seeks applications for a full-time Research Analyst to support the Office of Institutional Research and Planning (IRP).  IRP provides leadership and support in the practice areas of organizational intelligence, strategic planning, outcomes assessment, enrollment management, and accreditation.  The Research Analyst will be part of small team with broad institutional exposure and will be responsible for supporting quality research, strategy, analysis, and counsel to institutional decision-makers and stakeholders. The Research Analyst provides accurate data collection, meaningful analysis, and summary reporting to support institutional self-knowledge and data-informed decision-making. The position will conduct all phases of quantitative and qualitative analysis and research. 

 

Responsibilities include:  extracting, compiling, analyzing, and reporting data on students, faculty, staff, courses, and other aspects of the University; writing queries, macros, and reports; analyzing the validity, reliability, and accuracy of institutional data; developing data cross-training opportunities and programs to support other University departments; serving as an office contact for requests for data or information; coordinating and completing ad-hoc institutional data requests including requests from government and accrediting agencies and college guides; managing and completing the Common Data Set Initiative, Voluntary System of Accountability Programs, and other standard institutional reporting documents; conducting statistical analyses and reports on student success, enrollment, program finances, and capacity; collaborating with data experts to collect data and provide context; assisting in the survey and research design, instrument development, coordination, and administration of various survey and assessment projects; conducting qualitative and quantitative analyses when working with data and highlighting key findings communicating implications; providing project management; updating, reviewing, and recommending operating practices and procedures; representing the office and participating on various task forces and committees; participating in professional groups and workshops, presenting at conferences and involvement in educational and networking opportunities.

 

The starting hiring range is mid-to-high forties, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The University offers an excellent fringe-benefits package. 

 

The successful candidate must have:

• A Baccalaureate degree in a relevant discipline
• Intermediate knowledge and use of SPSS, SQL, Microsoft Excel and Access, and report and query writers.  
• Must be detail-oriented and demonstrate above-average organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously and follow through on all project phases to completion
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with technical and non-technical personnel
• A high level of independent judgment and analysis and the ability to interact collaboratively and cultivate partnerships
• Ability to travel, both in-state and out-of-state

 

Preference will be given to candidates with the following: 

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline
• At least one-to-two years of higher education, research, and data analysis or other related field experience
• Prior experience with and knowledge of PeopleSoft or similar student ERP system

 

Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until a qualified applicant pool is identified.  Applications received after November 1 will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.  Applicants must submit a completed Application for Salaried Employment; a letter of application; resume; transcripts; and a list of references containing the names, complete addresses, and daytime telephone numbers of three current professional references to:

 

Administrative Services

Research Analyst Search

University of Maine at Augusta

46 University Drive

Augusta, ME  04330-9410.

 

Applications and the job description for this position are available at http://www.uma.maine.edu/office-of-human-resources/employment-opportunities/.

 

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The University of Maine at Augusta (www.UMA.edu) encourages and values diversity among its students, faculty, and staff.  UMA is a member of the University of Maine System and a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America’s Well Workplace Award.  Effective January 1, 2013 UMA will be a tobacco-free institution.

This is a notice of a position vacancy and not an authorization for any paid advertising.

 

13-011P; October 5, 2012

 

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT AUGUSTA

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title:                                         Research Analyst

Department:                             Office of Institutional Research and Planning   

Administrative Area:               Office of Institutional Research and Planning

 

Organizational Relationships:

        Reports to:                        Executive Director of Institutional Research and Planning

        Supervises:                        Student Internship(s)

        Coordinates with:              University academic units and administrative departments/offices, University College, the

                                                   System Office, and external organizations. 

 

Statement of the Job:   

The Office of Institutional Research and Planning provides leadership and support in the practice areas of organizational intelligence, strategic planning, outcomes assessment, strategic enrollment management, and accreditation. The Research Analyst supports the growing demand and scope of the office. The Research Analyst will provide data organization, coordination, data collection and analysis, reporting and presentation in support of institutional research, enrollment management, strategic planning, outcomes assessment and accreditation. The Research Analyst will provide strategic consultation, data analysis and research to facilitate a culture of data-informed decision-making. The Research Analyst will be part of a small team with extensive interface with decision-makers, stakeholders, regulators, and the public. The position will conduct all phases of quantitative and qualitative analysis and research for administrative and academic management data-informed decision-making.

 

Major Duties of the Position (not ordered):

1. Extracts, compiles, analyzes, and reports data on students, faculty, staff, courses and other aspects of the University as requested.
2. Writes queries, macros and reports to complete data and research requests.
3. Analyzes the validity, reliability and accuracy of institutional data in the University’s Student Registration System and other related databases.
4. Develops research and data cross-training opportunities and programs for execution by other University departments.
5.  Serves as an office contact for internal and external requests for data or information.
6. Coordinates and completes ad-hoc institutional data requests and requests for data from local, state and federal government agencies, accrediting agencies, college guides, and newspapers.
7. Manages and completes the Common Data Set Initiative, Voluntary System of Accountability Programs and other standard institutional reporting documents.
8. Conducts semester and annual statistical analyses and reports on student success, enrollment, program finances and capacity.
9. Collaborates with data experts across campus/system to collect data and provide context when reporting.
10. Assists in the survey and research design, instrument development, coordination and administration of various survey and assessment projects.
11. Conducts appropriate qualitative and quantitative analyses when working with data and highlighting key findings and communicating implications.
12. Provides project management during all phases of the research and data request fulfillment process.
13. Multi-tasks, and effectively prioritizes tasks and responsibilities.

 

Secondary Duties (not ordered):

1. Contributes to a culture of collaboration and respect
2. Updates, reviews, and recommends operating practices and/or procedures to the Executive Director.
3. Performs other projects and duties as assigned.

 

Budgetary Responsibilities:  n/a

 

Public and Professional Activities (not ordered):

1. Represents the office and participates on various University/System task forces and committees. 
2. Participates in professional groups and workshops, presenting at conferences and involvement in educational and networking opportunities to stay informed of current practices and research related to position.
3. Participates in University/System and public service activities.

 

Knowledge and Skills Qualifications (not ordered):

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Baccalaureate degree in a relevant discipline.  
2. Intermediate knowledge and use of SPSS, SQL, Microsoft Excel and Access, and report and query writers.   
3. Must be detail-oriented and demonstrate above-average organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
4. Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously and follow through on all phases to completion.
5. Able to work independently as well as in a team environment.
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills required; Ability to communicate with technical and non-technical personnel.
7. A high level of independent judgment and analysis is required and ability to interact collaboratively and cultivate partnerships with other departments.  
8. Ability to travel for training or meetings, both in-state and out-of-state.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
2. At least 1-2 years of higher education, research and data analysis or other related field experience.
3. Prior experience with and knowledge of PeopleSoft or similar student ERP system.

 

Updated October 3, 2012