SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Personnel Commission

CLASS SERIES TITLES:

Research Analyst, Assistant
Research Analyst, Assistant - Restricted

DESCRIPTION OF BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Conducts research and technical studies in which goals, procedures, and methods are clearly defined; assists in the collection, organization, and analysis of data using statistical and other means as designated; learns appropriate research processes and measurement tools; and prepares reports. Employees in this job class receive direct supervision from a department administrator or his/her designee within a well-defined framework of policies and procedures. This job class performs technical research and analytical functions in a training capacity.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS/ALTERNATE CLASS SERIES SPECIFICATIONS

Employees may be hired in either class level of the Research Analyst Assistant/Associate class series. The Research Analyst, Assistant is the beginning level general research and analytic class, where incumbents perform research assignments that are characterized by clear and specific objectives in accordance with conventional research techniques and methodologies that have been reviewed or structured by other more experienced research personnel. Initially, assignments and training are provided in detail, but as incumbents become more capable, he/she works with a higher degree of independence for reassignment to the experienced class of Research Analyst, Associate upon completing a two-year incumbency.
This job class series is distinguished from the higher classes of Research Analyst, ISB and Research Analyst, Senior in that incumbents of the latter classes coordinate academic assessment programs, direct other research analysts including incumbents of this class, and perform or supervise the most complex and difficult assessment, research projects and assignments.

ESSENTIAL TYPICAL DUTIES

• Collects, evaluates, tabulates and computes data for technical reports and research studies
• Researches and identifies sources of data for assigned projects; compiles evaluation data in a variety of forms
• Assists in the conduct of evaluation and research studies of a variety of programs and projects
• Assists in designing measurement instruments that include instructions, tests, surveys, questionnaires, rating scales, and structured interview instruments
• Assists in evaluation of data utilizing basic descriptive as well as inductive and deductive reasoning
• Summarizes and disseminates data collection/analyses results in written reports
• Assists program/project staff in the development of project plans, designs, survey methods, and in the formulation of measurable and relevant objectives
• Uses database, spreadsheet, word-processing, and graphics software to maintain and monitor research related activities
• May assist in training other personnel in data collection and analysis of research methods and techniques
• Conducts interviews with clients, customers, and community representatives involved in projects being evaluated for data collection purposes
• Operates standard office equipment including a desktop computer, scanner, copier, fax machine, and other peripheral equipment
• Prepares reports and summaries, tabular and graphic presentations of data and their analysis, and any required applications, documents, and forms
• Receives training and technical guidance from other educational researchers in the use of advanced research techniques and methods, technical report writing, and information system capabilities
• Confers with and responds to requests for information from County Office personnel, public school employers, external agencies, and contract researchers
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Basic research procedures, methods and techniques
• Basic statistical methods and their application
• Basic measurement theory and practices
• Educational measurement theory, survey techniques, methodology, and data collection instruments
• Techniques of data collection and analysis
• Basic infrastructures, organization, programs, policies, and goals of county offices, school districts, and other educational agencies
• Basic principles, methods, techniques, and capabilities of information systems and peripheral equipment used in educational research
• Proper English grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and composition

Skill in:

• Information system technologies, software, and hardware commonly used in conducting educational research

Ability to:

• Learn, interpret and apply policies, laws, rules, regulations, and objectives of the County Office and the specific requirements of assigned educational programs/projects
• Learn to apply responsible research techniques, methodology, and tasks to assigned projects
• Accurately perform mathematical/statistical calculations
• Learn to design effective and relevant research designs that control extraneous variables
• Learn general and specialized software applications
• Effectively collect accurate data in the research design
• Make sound judgments and draw conclusions
• Learn to critically analyze data utilizing both statistical and non-statistical methods
• Effectively communicate in both oral and written form including the conversion of technical/statistical information into an understandable form for non-technical receivers
• Operate standard office and peripheral equipment including a personal computer, calculator, scanner, copier, fax machine, and printer
• Write reports and summaries; prepare presentations of a technical nature
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

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

o 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 coursework in research methods, statistical techniques, educational planning, or a related field. Practical educational research experience may be credited for a maximum of two (2) years of the above educational requirement.

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.

Personnel Commission Approval: 8/27/84
Revised: 09/20/88; 8/22/95; 06/24/99; 01/2002, May 22, 2003 (Added Restricted Class)