Institutional Research Director jobs in Georgia

Salary: $53,310.72 – $70,677.24 commensurate with education and experience

Job Code: EDP042 (Research Analyst 3)

Pay Grade: M

Location: Headquarters based – This position will require the incumbent to work from DECAL’s main office in Atlanta, GA, a minimum of two days per week.

Please submit a cover letter and resume.

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia's Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) subsidy program and federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia's child care quality rating and improvement system. The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.

Job Description

The Institutional Research Manager, housed within DECAL’s Quality Innovations and Partnerships division, will play a central role on DECAL’s Institutional Research & Data Quality team. The position reports to the Institutional Research Director and supervises two research analysts. The Institutional Research team conducts internal research studies and data analyses and disseminates research findings to inform policy and support DECAL divisions in using data and research to identify evidence-based solutions. This team is an internal resource for all divisions and program areas within DECAL and is responsible for ensuring that agency administrative data, housed in internal and external databases, are appropriately analyzed and interpreted. As the team manager, the Institutional Research Manager will work with DECAL and division leadership, DECAL IT, and external research partners to provide data expertise, advanced analytics, and data visualization support as well as design, conduct, and communicate research and evaluation activities.

Applicants should have experience in a variety of research activities, such as data management, report writing, survey construction, quantitative and qualitative analyses, and presenting and reporting findings in innovative ways to various audiences. They should also demonstrate proven ability to successfully collaborate with other researchers, early education program experts, and organization leadership. Applicants should demonstrate strong data management and analysis skills and the ability to maintain awareness of current trends in early care and education (ECE) research. Problem solving, flexibility, critical thinking, attention to detail, readiness to learn, and initiative are crucial attributes.

Job Responsibilities

The Institutional Research Manager will:

·       Supervise two research analysts. This includes:

o   Allocating analysts’ time to ensure completion of Institutional Research team responsibilities.

o   Coaching staff in analytic skills and identifying areas for further training.

o   Building a positive team culture and instilling exemplary customer service as a foundational value.

·       Manage processes to develop, maintain, and monitor DECAL’s research agenda, including defining specific research goals that align with DECAL’s Strategic Plan. This includes:

o   Developing individual project plans that include research scope, methodologies, timelines, expected outcomes, and plans for disseminating and communicating findings.

o   Adapting and revising the research agenda to incorporate new projects and priorities.

·       Manage internal data analyses and research studies to inform policy and program innovation. This includes:

• Fostering cross-division collaboration with appropriate data analyses, policy development, and other needed research supports.

o   Analyzing administrative data related to DECAL programs and initiatives to help identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and inform policy development.

o   Supporting DECAL programs in creating and managing appropriate performance measures.

o   Working with the Research Partnerships and Business Supports team to collect needed program evaluation data, such as through surveys and focus groups.

o   Ensuring that DECAL research appropriately disaggregates and analyzes data to support DECAL programs in best meeting the needs of all the populations they serve.

·       Disseminate research results and findings for multiple audiences in a timely manner. This includes:

o   Communicating research findings and presenting data in a clear and accessible manner.

o   Collaborating with DECAL leaders to translate research results into actionable policy recommendations.

o   Participating in development of an ongoing reporting structure, through dashboards, reports, or other methods, to support DECAL leaders in monitoring and communicating trends.

o   Publishing, for internal and external audiences, formal research and data analysis findings.

o   Using data and research findings to tell a story.

·       Collaborate with DECAL IT to ensure data systems serve research purposes. This includes:

o   Understanding different DECAL IT data systems and connecting data across systems for research purposes.

o   Ensuring that data is as accurate and reliable as possible and working closely with internal partners to strengthen data quality.

o   Creating codebooks and other materials that clearly explain data being used for research purposes.

o   Working with IT during new systems development to ensure that the data generated will be appropriate for research and data reporting,

·       Manage a process for research requests. This includes:

o   Managing requests that deal with DECAL research and data.

o   Serving as a DECAL data expert for organizations that have received data for research purposes.

·       Stay informed with current research trends and new innovations. This includes:

o   Staying updated on new ECE research and ECE policy trends.

o   Monitoring other ECE research for new research methodologies or criticisms of current methodologies.

Technical Competencies

·       Expertise in using Microsoft Excel to manage and analyze data

·       Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint

·       Excellent oral and written communication skills

·       Excellent organizational skills

·       Experience in data visualization and use of data visualization tools, such as Power BI or Tableau

·       Experience retrieving, manipulating, and analyzing large datasets (e.g., U.S. Census Bureau, administrative data sources)

·       Experience reporting data to non-technical audiences

·       Experience working with diverse communities and sensitivity to needs and concerns of various participants

·       Ability to manage own time, set priorities, meet deadlines, and work without direct supervision

Minimum Qualifications

·       High School Diploma/GED with five (5) years of job-related experience in planning analysis, analyzing data, designing surveys, preparing and writing reports of findings or work related to the area of assignment; or two (2) years of experience required at the lower level Research Analyst 2 (EDP041) or position equivalent.

·       Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and two years of related experience; or bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and four years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications

·       Master’s degree or Ph.D. in an education or research-based field (e.g., psychology, sociology, public policy) from an accredited college or university

·       Experience in program evaluation

·       Familiarity with issues in early childhood education or other policy areas

·       Supervisory experience

·       Background in quantitative research methodology and statistics

·       Data analysis experience using SQL or statistical packages (e.g., R, SPSS, STATA)

Physical Requirements Necessary to Perform Job Duties

·       Extended periods of sitting, standing, and occasional walking

·       Ability to speak and hear clearly to receive and present detailed information through verbal communication

·       Close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, and visual inspection

·       Ability to type and perform data entry on state-issued computer equipment

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is a family-friendly employer offering flexible work schedules (at supervisory discretion) and a comprehensive compensation package that includes retirement, 401K match, and elective options for health, life, dental, and vision insurance. Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer. A background check will be completed upon hire, which may consist of any of the following: criminal history, credit history, employment history, educational records, IRS records, and driving records.

“If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or other reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the selection process for this position, you may contact our HR department at 678-879-2993. Due to the volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application or interview status cannot be provided in writing, over the phone, or in person. Only qualified candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified when this vacancy is filled. All applicants who submit a complete application package will be considered but may not necessarily receive notification or an interview. The job posting may be closed at any time without notice.