CLASS TITLE: Research Analyst, Senior

Conducts comprehensive educational research studies related to such matters as curricula, enrollment, retention, staffing patterns, instructional strategies, grant availability, eligibility and fund development, program vitality and evaluation, community characteristics, and student achievement; designs appropriate research processes and measurement tools; and prepares comprehensive reports, grant proposals, presentations, and summaries.

The class of Research Analyst, Senior applies an advanced knowledge of research methodology to perform the most complex educational research and analytic studies, projects, and assignments using specialized and innovative research tools and information systems. Positions in this class are assigned exclusively to the Center for Educational Planning. Employees in this class receive limited supervision within a broad framework of policies and procedures. Employees in this class normally direct and oversee the work of Research Analyst, Assistant and Research Analyst, Associate incumbents, providing training, guidance or technical assistance.

This class differs from the Research Analyst, Assistant/Associate class series in that incumbents of the latter series perform a wide range of research and analytic tasks of considerable difficulty. This class differs from the Research Analyst, ISB in that incumbents of the latter class coordinate complex academic research projects and assessment programs in the Instructional Services Branch.

• Conducts comprehensive educational research studies related to such matters as curricula, enrollment, retention, matriculation, staffing patterns and ratios, student and instructional characteristics, grant availability, eligibility and fund development, program vitality and evaluation, community characteristics, and student achievement

• Researches funding and resource availability and develops short-term and long-term strategies to access increased funding for SCCOE programs and initiatives

• Analyzes research data, external report findings, and trends in education and community characteristics, translates implications and limitations, and anticipates planning and information needs of the County Office of Education

• Evaluates problems to determine whether they are amenable to statistical inquiry and formulates the investigative processes and procedures to be followed

• Participates in the review and approval of research and evaluation instruments developed by other COE departments

• Prepares data for analysis and verifies accuracy, develops databases, systems, and programs that facilitate research activities, and evaluate process implementation and program outcomes

• Prepares research reports in proper technical form for publication containing descriptive, analytical, and evaluative content including statistical findings, conclusions and forecasts

• Prepares and submits grant proposals in accordance with established timelines, initiatives, and goals and objectives of the County Office of Education

• Develops partnerships with other organizations to support the progression of assigned projects

• Collects, compiles, describes, organizes analyzes, interprets, and presents data and information related to matters under study

• Selects, adapts, and applies appropriate research and statistical techniques to specific areas of study

• Effectively uses office and statistical application programs in the course of assigned duties

• Provides responsible research staff assistance to a variety of clients and customers, including the Superintendent, Board of Education, school districts, and other external agencies

• Participates in the allocation staff resources, assists in the formulation of measurable goals and objectives, and in the planning and coordination of research and evaluation activities

• Advises programs and clients during strategic planning processes, developing short-term and long-term strategies and participating in policy development

• Provides strategic guidance to programs and clients regarding grant eligibility and fund development; assists County Office staff in the development of programs that align with funding priorities

• Reviews and authorizes the release of research and evaluation reports to clients

• Determines information needs and sources of data

• Explains and interprets research methodology and findings to interested parties

• Operates standards office equipment including, a personal computer, scanner, calculator, and survey peripheral equipment

• Directs the work of and serves as lead and technical resource to lower-level research analysts', providing technical guidance

• May prepare and present workshops or training sessions in accordance with assigned projects

• Represent the County Office of Education at community meetings, forums and events

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and procedures of research planning, design, methodology, and analysis including measurement theory, educational data collection instruments
• Principles, theories, techniques, and methods of descriptive and inferential statistics
• Principles of management, organization, and administrative analysis
• Features and capabilities of computers, peripheral and survey equipment, and information systems procedures and methods
• Technical writing and data presentation

• Principles, techniques, and methods of project management

• Management and organizational infrastructures of school districts, public school employers, and educational agencies

• Proper English grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, and composition

• Grant writing and fund development

• Strategic planning and policy development.

Advanced Skill in:

• Desktop computer software used for database management, report writing, communications, spreadsheets, graphics, word processing, and desk-top publishing

• Technical research procedures, methods, and techniques

Ability to:

• Learn, interpret, and apply policies, laws, rules, regulations, and objectives of the County Office of Education

• Perform responsible research tasks, applying independently judgment in the use of conventional and original techniques in research methodology

• Create effective and relevant research and evaluation designs

• Accurately perform and apply mathematical calculations, statistical theory, and methods used to determine information needs; identify, collect, compile, describe, organize, analyze, and interpret data and facts as a basis for inference

• Present data and factual information for program improvement and decision-making, recognizing significant factors, relationships, and trends

• Exercise creativity and independent and critical judgment with limited supervision

• Cope with novel and difficult problems

• Direct the work of, lead, and provide technical guidance to other research analysts in research principles and methods

• Establish and maintain the cooperation of others in providing information, data, and assistance in the course of assigned research assignments, tasks, and projects

• Write comprehensive technical reports and explain information and data in its most meaningful and understandable form

• Write, edit, and submit grant proposals in a timely fashion

• Critically review research and evaluate reports and instrumentation prior to dissemination

• Effectively communicate in both oral and written form for both technical and non-technical audiences

• Demonstrate professional maturity and good judgement when participating in department-wide project planning and job assignments.

Generally, any combination of education and experience that could provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is considered as qualifying. A typical method of demonstrating these qualifications would be:

• Possession of Bachelor's degree from a college or university, accredited by one of the six regional associations authorized by the U. S. Department of Education, with course work in research methods, statistical techniques, educational planning, or a related field; a Master's degree is desirable; and

• Four years of progressive job-related experience with demonstrated competence to conduct comprehensive research studies and analytical projects, including one year of educational research experience. Three years of education research experience, in additional to education requirements, may be considered equivalent to the four-year experience requirement described above.

BARGAINING UNIT: Office, Technical, and Business Services (OTBS) Unit

WORKING CONDITIONS: Duties are performed in an office environment while sitting at a desk and program sites and in the community to make oral presentations and attend meetings. Incumbents may be required to work a flexible schedule evening and weekend hours. May require to use personal vehicle in the course of employment, may be required to attend evening meetings, and travel, may be required to work evenings or weekends, and occasionally operates a desktop computer for prolonged periods of time. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Incumbents regularly stand and sit for long periods of time, walk short distances on a regular basis, use hands to handle, feel, finger, and to operate a computer keyboard or other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, stoop or kneel or crouch to file speak clearly and distinctly to answer telephones and to provide information; see to read fine print and operate desktop computer; hear and understand voices over the telephone and in person; and move and transport program materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

Approved by the Personnel Commission: 04/25/91 Revised: 04/15/97, 01/2002, 05/08/08