Research Specialist
Job description
Broad Scope & Function
The Research Specialist is responsible for managing complex and/or multi-year applied research projects and providing methodological expertise in research design and project implementation. Tasks associated with this responsibility include: working with clients to identify research questions; making recommendations regarding the most appropriate research and sampling designs; developing an evaluation/research methodology, work plan and budget development that meets clients specifications; designing data collection tools; supervising data collection and data entry; outlining and executing advanced analyses; writing research reports; effectively communicating research results to non-technical audiences. The position will also be responsible for the allocation of fiscal resources for one or more projects and for ensuring projects meet budgetary and timeline requirements. Additionally, the Research Specialist will also be responsible for communicating findings from studies into reports and materials that are accessible to non-technical/academic audiences. The position will have ongoing contact with clients regarding research design and deliverables. The position will assign project tasks to a research team and monitor its progress. The Research Specialist will be a part of the ISR management team, assisting the Director in aligning ISR’s operations towards its academic and business goals.
Reporting Relationship
The position functions with a high degree of autonomy and reports directly to and receives general direction the ISR Executive Director. This position gives direct supervision to Research Analysts I & II, Research Technicians and Graduate Research Assistants.
Benefits
- UEI contribution to a TIAA retirement plan after one year of service
- Paid Vacation Time – 10 hours accrued/month
- Paid Sick Time – 8 hours accrued/month
- Paid Holidays – 13 paid holidays per year including paid time off the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day as the CSUS campus is closed
- Excellent medical benefits – 100% employer-paid medical & dental for employee-only coverage and low cost for family coverage
- Educational Assistance Program for employees and/or dependents
- View a comprehensive list of all of the benefits at https://www.enterprises.csus.edu/wp-content/uploads/UEI_Benefits-At-A-Glance-Brochure_Projects.pdf
Application Instructions
This position is open until filled with a priority review date of April 30, 2022.
Please include the following with your application:
- Resume
If this document is not included, your application materials will not be considered. Please include your employment history in the “Employment Experience” section of your application in addition to submitting your resume.
Conditions of Employment
The selected candidate must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the United States. University Enterprises, Inc. is not a sponsoring agency (i.e. H-1B Visa).
This is a full-time, exempt from overtime , benefited position with a defined contribution retirement plan through TIAA. (The position is not covered under the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.) Continued employment in this position is dependent upon funding and the mutual consent of University Enterprises and the employee, and either University Enterprises or the employee, can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause. Program continuation is contingent upon funding.
Updated 5/30/2023:
It is strongly recommended that all University Enterprises, Inc. employees follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Leads all project research activities and project management tasks with support from junior staff.
- Leads the design and execution of specialized, applied social science studies, including the nature and scope of investigation, research methodologies, data collection approaches, sampling designs, and analysis plans.
- Develops customized research and evaluation studies components, including logic-models, project training needs and training designs, identifying secondary data sources, and leveraging existing organizational/project related data.
- Leads the development of quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments, such as surveys, data collection forms, assessments, interview and focus group protocols, and coding manuals needed to obtain primary and secondary data.
- Leads the development of data collection methods, protocols, timelines, and procedures for data collection and management. Coordinates with client regarding data collection requests, data quality, and timeline.
- Collaborates with clients and study stakeholder to ensure that study design and execution is aligned to research goals and is culturally responsive to study participants.
- Exercises a significant level of independence in drawing conclusions from study findings as well as developing evidence-based recommendations that address clients' programmatic and policy needs and study purposes.
- Analyzes, interprets, and synthesizes quantitative and qualitative research results and oversees the analytical work of Research Analysts I and II.
- Creates and oversees the development of client-tailored reports and presentations, including the drafting of report narrative, graphics, charts, and tables and the review of materials prepared by Research Analysts I and II.
- Presents study findings to clients, community stakeholder groups, elected officials, and the academic community, which may have sensitive organizational, regional, and/or policy impacts.
- Serves as the project lead for client communication and engagement, including monthly project updates, facilitating client meetings, and presenting study results in an interactive and engaging manner.
- Reviews project(s) budgets, adjusting tasks and resources, in conjunction with the ISR Executive Director and Finance and Administration Manager as needed, to ensure project deliverables are completed in accordance with contract deliverables.
- Supervises, schedules, trains, develops, evaluates, and mentors assigned staff ensuring compliance with UEI personnel policies and procedures and Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity guidelines; prepares and delivers performance evaluations; and participates in the selection and hiring of department staff.
- Identifies and implements professional development training for the Research Team, including overseeing training needs assessments and identification of appropriate internal and external training resources to meet those needs.
- Develops contacts with prospective project initiatives with potential clients.
- Presents the ISR Executive Director with periodic oral and written reports on the status of research projects under this person’s direction.
- Contributes to the technical and subject matter expertise of ISR. Provides input and feedback to the Director regarding the strategic direction of ISR and contributes to training staff and identifying best-practices for applied research studies.
- Serves as a part of the ISR management team, assisting in the development and institutionalizations of systematic operational and applied research practices.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned to ensure the success of the program and its participants.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master's Degree in Political Science, Sociology, Public Policy, Public Health, or related social science discipline or the equivalent combination of education and research experience.
- Demonstrated project team management and supervisory experience in a research capacity.
- Significant experience in independently designing and implementing complex social science studies, using quantitative and/or qualitative data collection.
- Demonstrated experience in presenting research findings, including reports, presentations, or other formats, for technical and non-academic audiences.
- Demonstrated experience with computer software programs for data analysis, database management, and survey administration. (e.g., NVivo, ArcGIS, SPSS, Stata, R, Qualtrics, CATI.)
- Demonstrated experience in writing applied research proposals, developing reports, and designing presentations for both technical and non-academic audiences.
- Demonstrated experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously and large-scale, multilayered projects.
- Demonstrated experience with program evaluation theory and methodology.
- Significant applied research project management experience including designing research methodology to project budgets and timeline, working in a time-sensitive and deliverable-based environment, and providing oversight and coordination for a multi-level research team.
- Experience working in a professional consulting capacity and demonstrated success in working effectively and collaboratively with a diverse range of clients.
- Demonstrated social scientific expertise in data analysis techniques, as well as subject matter areas (e.g., public health, criminal justice, education, social services, etc.).
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Must pass a background check, which may include fingerprinting. Must continue to meet the established standards.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. in an appropriate social science discipline.
- Demonstrated experience of at least ten (10) years postgraduate in an applied social science research
- Experience in designing research studies with difficult-to-research and culturally diverse
- Demonstrated technical expertise in quantitative statistical analysis.
- Demonstrated experience in data visualization and/or mapping.
Physical Requirements
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computers, telephones, calculators, copiers, scanners, printers, and fax machines.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office environment, continuous contact with staff, campus community, and the public.
The Institute for Social Research at Sacramento State University is an interdisciplinary research center with a focus on serving the community. Our mission is to partner with local and state agencies, community-based organizations, and academic units to support their contributions to the growth and well-being of the Greater Sacramento Region and the state. As an applied research center, we work closely with our partners to customize studies to meet their organizational and community needs and produce data-informed answers to their most pressing questions. (See www.csus.edu/isr for examples of our current projects). We approach our research projects collaboratively and with a culturally responsive lens. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, ISR designs rigorous and impactful studies that contribute to public accountability, program fidelity, and the strengthening of communities. ISR is located in downtown Sacramento and employs 14 full time staff as well as graduate and undergraduate students. ISR operates with a hybrid work schedule, with a minimum of two in-person days in the office. ISR staff work on multiple research projects which are fast-paced and time sensitive.
Thank you so much for taking the time to apply. Based on your answers to one or more questions, it appears you do not meet the minimum qualifications for the position. We are unable to move your application forward in the process. Please do not let this discourage you from applying to our other job postings in the future. If you have questions, please contact us at 916-278-7003 or email us at ueibenefitedjobs@csus.edu.
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