Research Associate

Company Description

Shaffer Evaluation Group, founded in 2013, provides high-quality educational planning, research, and evaluation services to higher education institutions, school districts, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies across the United States. We support our clients in developing evidence-informed programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of underserved children, youth, and communities across the United States – from students attending schools on military bases to indigenous communities in some of our country's most remote regions.

Role Description

Under the guidance of a senior research team member, the Research Associate has a pivotal role in our organization focusing on data collection, analysis, and reporting across multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS & REPORTING (70%)

1.1. Schedules, tracks, and completes research activities within established timelines and budget parameters.

1.2. Requests, organizes, cleans, and analyzes project documentation and data from clients.

1.3. Identifies and / or develops appropriate instrumentation (e.g., data requests, surveys, interview protocols, observation protocols, knowledge assessments) for responding to research and evaluation questions.

1.4. Ensures that quantitative and qualitative data are collected using appropriate techniques to ensure reliability and validity.

1.5. Organizes and conducts field data collection including collecting observational data and leading focus groups or interviews as needed.

1.6. Conducts and / or verifies quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

1.7. Translates findings into insights; summarizes and reports results in written and visual formats suitable for consumption by various audiences.

1.8. Assists with development and submission of Institutional Research Board applications and renewals; ensures that established consent procedures are followed consistently across projects; assists with recruitment and retention of study participants from multiple sites.

1.9. Conducts research literature reviews.

2.1. Prioritizes tasks to balance competing timelines across multiple projects.

2.2. Holds primary responsibility for monitoring responses to active surveys across projects.

2.3. Organizes and documents communications related to assigned projects.

2.4. Maintains complete and accurate documentation of project tasks.

3.1. Supports general business operations and new business development, including updating client lists, contributing to proposal development, and conducting outreach to potential clients.

3.2. Maintains effective communications and positive relations with SEG team members and clients. Works respectfully and effectively with diverse communities and engages in collaborative and culturally responsive ways.

Qualifications

Masters degree in related field (Data Science, Psychology, Public Policy, Program Evaluation, Educational Policy, Educational Research) and at least 2 years applied experience in a research and / or program evaluation context.

Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative and / or qualitative data collection and analysis.

Exceptional organizational skills; strong time management and budget management are necessary to produce high-quality work products within the time budgeted and complete assigned tasks without exceeding scope.

Strong professional communication and interpersonal skills when interacting with internal and external stakeholders.

Experience with Microsoft (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and Google Suite equivalents; Excel skills are critical to this role.

Desired Knowledge, Education, Skills and Experience

Proficiency in the design of educational research and evaluation studies, including theory of change, logic models and measurement frameworks.

Experience with software for project management (Teamwork), qualitative data analysis (Dedoose), statistical analysis (R, JASP), and presentation / report / dashboard design (Canva, Tableau).

Customer service orientation and problem-solving mindset.

Ability to guide stakeholders with limited data knowledge through the process of identifying, gathering, and preparing the data necessary to support research and evaluation projects.

Ability to take ownership of assignments and see assigned tasks through to completion.

An unwavering commitment to producing high-quality work products.

Other Job Requirements

This is an on-site position in SEG's Williamsburg, Virginia office with consideration for telework. The standard workweek is 37.5 hours.

Occasional work outside of normal business hours and / or in excess of the standard work week is anticipated to meet project deadlines. Successful applicant may be asked to undergo c

riminal history screening, education / degree / certifications verification, social security number trace, sex offender registry search, and prior employment verification. Applicants must be licensed drivers.

An Equal Opportunity Employer :

Shaffer Evaluation Group is an equal opportunity employer. Shaffer Evaluation Group is firmly committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity ("EEO") laws and strictly prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of the individual's race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, height and / or weight, disability, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital status, partnership status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, military status, arrest record and any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application. While performing the responsibilities of the job, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.