SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Personnel Commission

CLASS TITLE:

Research Analyst, Associate
Research Analyst, Associate - Restricted

DESCRIPTION OF BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Collects, organizes, and analyzes detailed data using both statistical and other means as designated; designs appropriate research processes and measurement tools; and prepares comprehensive reports, summaries, and presentations. Employees at this job class series receive general supervision within a broad framework of policies and procedures.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS/ALTERNATE CLASS SERIES SPECIFICATIONS

Employees may be hired in either class level of the Research Analyst Assistant/Associate class series. This is second level of the Research Analyst, Assistant/Associate class series. The Research Analyst, Associate is the experienced research and analytic class where incumbents lead or guide the work of other series incumbents and independently perform research and analytic work of considerable difficulty. The specific duties of this class vary contingent upon the location and the assignments of the class. This class differs from the Research Analyst, Assistant in that its incumbents perform routine research and analytic work under closer general supervision. 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 series, and perform or supervise more complex and difficult assessment, research projects and assignments.

ESSENTIAL TYPICAL DUTIES

• Designs and administers data collection, tools, and measurement instruments including tests, surveys, questionnaires, rating scales, observation recordings, and structured interview instruments
• Prepares and disseminates data collection/analysis results in proper technical form for publication and/or presentation
• Describes, organizes, analyzes, interprets, and presents evaluation data and information using descriptive and inferential statistics as well as inductive and deductive reasoning
• Organizes data and information in such form that analysis is facilitated and their significance may be appreciated
• Creates evaluation designs to measure relevant goals, objectives, and process implementation/program outcomes; providing assistance to and coordinating efforts with program/project staff as necessary
• Writes research reports containing descriptive, analytical, and evaluative content including the preparation of conclusions and forecasts based on data summaries and other findings
• Determines sources of data and information, prepares data, and selects the specific units for the research sample
• Compiles evaluation or research data in a variety of forms for analyses including, but not limited to, tests, surveys, rating scales, and structured interview instruments
• Conducts educational research studies related to such matters as curricula, enrollment, retention, staffing patterns, student characteristics, program vitality and evaluation, community characteristics, and student achievement according to established research, program, or project guidelines
• Formulates procedures and techniques for statistical software or manual of survey data
• Formulates hypothesis to be tested in research designs, and selects, adapts, and applies appropriate research and statistical techniques to specific areas of evaluation or study
• Examines research data gathered by other agencies and translates their implications and limitations as they pertain to an educational service or instructional program of the Santa Clara County Office of Education
• Assists in training other research personnel in data collection using instruments developed by the program's funding source
• Operates standard office equipment including a desktop computer, scanner, copier, fax machine, and other peripheral equipment
• May direct the work of other staff members with research responsibilities
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and procedures of research planning, design, methodology and analysis
• Principles, theories, techniques, and methods of statistics including both descriptive and inferential statistics
• Methods for preparing research reports, summaries, and presentations
• Management and education functions and procedures related to public schools
• Educational services and instructional program measurement and data collection tools and instruments
• Basic information systems, methods, and capabilities as they pertain to research techniques
• Principles and practices of project management
• Proper English, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and composition

Skill in:

• Using software applications such as database management, spreadsheets, graphics, word processing, and desktop publishing

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
• Apply conventional techniques as well as creativity in research methodology
• Perform responsible research tasks using critical and independent judgment
• Define a problem so that it leads itself to quantitative and qualitative analysis, formulating pertinent and relevant hypotheses, and testing the hypotheses using inferential statistics or other means
• Design effective and relevant research designs that control extraneous variables
• Effectively determine, acquire, collect, classify, evaluate and analyze valid data of measurable accuracy
• Apply statistical and non-statistical theories and methods, recognizing significant factors, relationships, and trends
• Effectively communicate in both oral and written form
• Convert technical/statistical information into the most meaningful and understandable formats for both technical and non-technical clients and audiences
• Effectively operate standard office and survey scanning equipment including a personal computer, scanner, printer, copier, fax machine and other peripheral equipment
• Prepare, reports, summaries, and oral presentations of technical nature
• Identify, evaluate, and resolve routine and complex problems
• Assist others to identify information needs, secure relevant information, analyze alternatives, and select appropriate procedures
• Work independently under minimum supervision
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties

May Require Ability to:

• Speak, read, and or write in specified foreign language as designated by the County Office of Education.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

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

• 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; and
• A minimum of two years as a Research Analyst, Assistant or two years of progressive, comparable experience involving the collection, interpretation and analysis of research data.

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: 08/27/84
Revised: 06/26/85; 09/20/88; 08/22/95; 01/2002, May 22, 2003 (Added Restricted Class)