eAIR Newsletter Reformat

Visit the posting and click "Apply" to submit application materials. 

Posting: https://minnstate.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Minnesota_State_Careers/job/Bloomington/Research-Associate_JR0000001644-1

Normandale Community College was founded in 1968 and is the largest college and second largest undergraduate institution in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. In fiscal year 2024, Normandale served almost 15,000 students in our for-credit courses and awarded more than 1,200 degrees and certificates in more than 60 programs of study. 

This position conducts educational and institutional research to facilitate data-informed decision-making and support student success and institutional effectiveness at the college. This position will design and conduct research studies and novel real-time data analytics that integrate new and existing data to generate insight and forecasts about student learning, enrollment, retention, completion, and college operations. This position will also provide technical advice and assistance to professional co-workers that includes research design, data integration, statistical analysis, data visualization, and communication of research results.
This position will actively advance the college’s strategic goals, including to achieve equity in educational outcomes and to support a culturally responsive and service-oriented culture, through individual and departmental efforts.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESULTS
1. Design, conduct, and report on the results of quantitative educational research and analysis under limited supervision
• Articulate research questions and design research studies that answer the identified questions.
• Use descriptive and inferential statistics and predictive modeling to inform planning and program design, analyze program effectiveness, and forecast the impact of new programs and policy changes.
• Prepare repeatable research and analysis using SQL, R, and Power BI.
• Create effective data visualizations to display the results of research.
• Communicate the results of research in writing and orally to a broad array of college stakeholders.
• Promote the understanding of data and research on campus.
• Represent the research and planning office in the absence of the Director.
• Collaborate with research colleagues to execute larger-scale research projects.
• Prioritize and balance multiple projects.

Establish and monitor timelines and adhere to deadlines.
Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 60%
2. Participate in and support college- and department- level project teams that leverage research and data to improve student success and institutional effectiveness.
• Lead and/or serve on college-level committees, workgroups, and project teams as appropriate.
• Work closely with college colleagues to understand data and research needs, connect them to existing research tools, and/or develop new research products to meet their needs.
• Support routine research, analytic, and evaluation work and continuous improvement in the department.
• Provide reports to appropriate committees on research in progress and final reports on projects as they are completed.
• Provide updates on research needs and priorities to the Department of Institutional Research.
Priority: Essential Percent of Time: 25%
3. Provide mixed method and qualitative research and evaluation services
• Provide technical support in designing and conducting qualitative and mixed method research projects.
Priority: Secondary Percent of Time: 10%

4. Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner.
Priority: Secondary Percent of Time: 5%

Minimum Qualifications (expected to have to enter job)
• Two years of current experience designing research, developing analysis plans, statistically analyzing educational data and communicating data results successfully
• Demonstrated experience in R or other statistical analysis package (e.g., Stata, SAS), including the writing of script/code to execute analytic commands
• Demonstrated knowledge of large and complex database structures and experience querying such databases
• Knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistical methods and basic predictive models sufficient to select and use procedures appropriate to problems and to interpret results
• Demonstrated experience visualizing and sharing data in Power BI or other data visualization software (e.g., Tableau)

Preferred Qualifications (desired but not expected to have to enter job)
• Masters in statistics, applied research, or related field
• Three years of current experience statistically analyzing educational data
• Familiarity with qualitative research methods
• Familiarity with higher education policies, procedures and standards
• Familiarity with Minnesota State data systems
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports and presentations
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to successfully deliver and foster collaborative culturally responsive and equity-minded services and working relationships

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE

As an agency of the State of Minnesota, Normandale offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical, dental, vision insurance, short- and long-term disability, generous vacation and sick leave, 11 paid holidays each year, employer paid life insurance, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, and tax-deferred compensation plans. Additional benefits include tuition waivers available for yourself and eligible dependents once certain criteria are met.

For information on benefits, visit SEGIP’s website SEGIP. This position is also part of MAPE. The MAPE collective bargaining agreement outlines many additional benefits provided.

For more information on retirement benefits, please view the retirement brochure through MMB.

• FULLTIME