Special Information
• This position is subject to grant funding. Incumbent is not eligible for layoff or recall status;
• Position is located in NAU North Valley Phoenix Offices;
• This position requires travel, including willingness to drive personal vehicle.
Job Description
• This is a service professional position primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with the established evaluation plan for a US Office of Education ("GEAR UP") grant. The incumbent supports the work of the Project Evaluator for AZ GEAR UP in the execution of an evaluation plan requiring rigorous formative and summative, quantitative and qualitative evaluations of college and career readiness for GEAR UP students and their families.
• Description of Duties:
• Performs complex statistical analyses which include selecting appropriate analysis procedure, setting up data for analysis, judging validity and reliability of data, designing and writing programs to perform the analyses and producing written reports on the result of the analysis.
• Assists faculty researchers, or may act independently, in the planning and designing of research projects, establishing priorities and recommending schedules, time tables and costs.
• Prepares periodic reports and records on program activities, progress, status or other special reports for management or outside agencies.
• Confers with project faculty and staff, and others, to provide technical advice, problem solving assistance, answers to questions and project goals and policy interpretations; refers to appropriate faculty or staff when unable to respond.
• Engages in fieldwork, including interviews, focus groups and observations.
• Presents project results to internal and external parties.
• Effectively uses technology to facilitate project's success.
• Works with evaluation support staff to meet objectives of the project.
• Participates in workshops, meetings or conferences related to project.
• May be responsible for training staff.
• Collaborate in the design and execution of GEAR UP evaluation studies to include:
• The design of school-based evaluation projects.
• Data Collection and data management activities.
• Quantitative and Qualitative analyses of data.
• Consultation with GEAR UP staff about evaluation activities.
• Dissemination of evaluation findings to appropriate constituents.
Minimum Qualifications
• Master's Degree in education, psychology or a related field with significant course work in quantitative research methods including both univariate and multivariate analysis.
• Experience with program evaluation or educational research.
• Familiarity with database systems and analytical packages (minimally excel and Spss).
Preferred Qualifications
• Earned Doctorate.
• Background in qualitative research methodologies to include experience with computer assisted qualitative data analysis software.
• Experience with survey design and web survey tools (e.g. Survey Monkey).
• Background in program evaluation related methodologies such as propensity score analyses and regression discontinuity design.
• Experience with the identification and procurement of grant support for research activities.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of socioeconomic and academic needs of Arizona students;
• Strong organizational, teamwork, training and presentation skills;
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of educational research.
• Skill in project management and execution;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and ability to work collaboratively with different constituencies, including individuals or groups with diverse experience levels.
General Information
• GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded college access program started in 1999. The purpose of GEAR UP is to significantly increase the number of students from low-income communities who graduate from high school prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary edcuation. Northern Arizona University (NAU) administered both the GEAR UP State Grant and a Partnership Grant from 200-2006. In July 2006, NAU was awarded a second State Grant for the period 2006-2012. In April 2012, NAU was awarded federal funds to administer Arizona GEAR UP 2012-2019 on behalf of the State. Successful applicants must match the federal award dollar-for-dollar through parternships with school districts and a variety of public and private entities. Grantees serve an entire class of students beginning in grade seven, and follow the cohort through high school and the first year of college.
This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting.
Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.
Salary
$48,000.
FLSA Status
Exempt.
Benefits
This is a Service Professional (SPF) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program; 22 days of vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified family members. More information on benefits at NAU is available at www.nau.edu/hr .
Service Professionals are hired on a contract basis, renewable each fiscal year according to terms of the Conditions of Professional Service, which may be found on the Internet at: https://azregents.asu.edu/rrc/Policy&/….
Employees offered a position on or after July 20, 2011, will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan) after 90 days of employment. If you accept an offer on or after July 20, 2011, and you choose the ASRS retirement option, you will begin participating in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, on the first of the pay period following 27 weeks (6 months) after your start date. New employees who choose to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which is an alternative to the ASRS plan for faculty and other appointed staff, will begin to participate on the first day of employment. Additionally, the long-term disability plan that accompanies the ORP will begin on the first day of the pay period following 90 days after start date. More information is available at: http://hr.nau.edu/node/10159.
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Application Deadline
August 30, 2012 at midnight.
