[Hiring] Research Associate, SEPP @WestEd

Role Description WestEd's Special Education Policy & Practice Team (SEPP) builds capacity for systems improvement at the district, regional, state, and national levels to improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities by closing long-standing equity gaps. This individual will work on a variety of research and evaluation projects, including:

• Special education systems and policy
• Learner characteristics
• Universal design for learning (UDL)
• Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS)
• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
• Positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS)
• School-based mental health
• Educational technology

This person will assist the SEPP research team with writing research proposals, including literature reviews, research design and analysis plans, and proposal editing. Responsibilities may also include project coordination, data collection, data management, and supporting article and report writing.

Responsibilities

• Project Management and Coordination
• Coordinate, schedule, and manage field research activities such as interviews, focus groups, and survey administration.
• Cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with internal and external teams.
• Assist with participant recruitment and incentive management.
• Data Collection
• Establish and maintain data collection and implementation fidelity systems to monitor program quality.
• Participate in or lead various data collection efforts (e.g., focus groups, surveys, interviews).
• Conduct user needs assessments and use data-driven frameworks to guide continuous product iteration.
• Quantitative Data Management/Analysis
• Build, maintain, clean, and manage large datasets using Excel or another statistical software package.
• Effectively summarize descriptive data for client products, dissemination, and annual reports.
• Report and Proposal Production
• Contribute to and/or lead the conceptualization and writing of small-to-large project reports and proposals.
• Prepare descriptive reports, analytic sections, and evaluation reports.
• Assist in the preparation and submission of large and small proposals.
• Facilitation/Presentation
• Facilitate meetings and present research findings.
• Interface with clients and lay persons related to data collection, analyses, and reports.
• Communicate effectively with a range of internal and external audiences including colleagues, clients, researchers, practitioners, and lay persons.
• Understand the Functioning of Educational Settings
• Deep knowledge of early literacy interventions, autism spectrum disorders, and MTSS.
• Direct experience in classroom teaching (General or Special Education).
• Ability to work in such settings by showing respect for and understanding of the structure of how teachers and administrators function.

Qualifications

• A minimum of three years direct work experience in educational research, quantitative social science research, or related field.
• A Master’s degree with a specialty in educational research or a related discipline such as special education, psychology, sociology, economics, or public policy is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of research and evaluation methodology, measurement, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Data management experience in Excel or a major statistical package (e.g., SPSS, SAS, R, or Stata).
• Experience preparing research and literature reviews, coordinating and designing research and evaluation projects, and writing reports of project findings for multiple audiences.
• Experience working with clients on program improvement efforts and providing feedback based on evaluation findings and evidence from prior research and practice.
• Ability to balance multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and communicate effectively with peers and supervisors.
• Ability to translate research findings to practitioner-oriented materials, including brief reports, presentations, and professional development materials.
• Excellent organizational skills & demonstrated ability to learn new technologies such as survey platforms and web management systems.
• Expertise in one or more substantive areas relevant to special educational research, evaluation, and policy analysis.
• Ability to collaborate with others and work in a team setting.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks on various projects.
• Ability to develop charts, tables, and other graphics for reports and presentations.
• Ability to manage occasional overnight travel as part of project work.

Benefits

• 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment and immediately 100% vested.
• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account option.
• All health/welfare benefits are effective the first of the month following the hire date.
• PTO: 19 days (increases to 21 days beginning the third year of employment), 12 paid holidays.
• Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary, max of 500k.
• Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives.
• Professional development opportunities & mentorship program.

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