Specialist - Research & Evaluation

General Description

Provides advanced, professional-level research, evaluation, measurement, performance assessment, strategic planning and accountability services to the school division for determining organizational and instructional effectiveness of services, programs, and for improvement planning. Oversees all survey research conducted by the division, including employee, parent and student surveys. Contributes to Virginia Department of Education reporting and compliance. Collaborates with staff to ensure the effectiveness and accuracy of testing and evaluation processes and information that affects the entire school system. Identifies and presents to division leaders trends in division strategic plan key measures and instructional programs.

Essential Job Functions

• Conducts and implements division wide research initiatives in collaboration with other division departments and outside research parties.
  
• Plans, organizes, develops, implements, interprets, analyzes, and reports research and program evaluations for monitoring and improvement purposes at the department, school and division level, including interim reports to division leaders, and the Coordinator of Research & Evaluation.
  
• Works with other staff members to develop and implement components of the local school improvement
  
• process.
  
• Advises on policy issues related to assessment and research.
  
• Reviews, approves and supervises external research requests in the school division.
  
• Serves as chair of the research screening committee and appoints other members as needed to review research requests.
  
• Monitors and maintains state accountability reporting requirements in compliance with Virginia Department of Education.
  
• Provides technical support to schools, departments and staff in survey and other research methods and assessment reporting.
  
• Uses quantitative analysis methods with the aid of quantitative analytical software effectively to make assertions based on school/division data.
  
• Provide and conduct division wide programmatic evaluations as needed to ensure programmatic efficacy.
  
• Performs additional duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications

Extensive knowledge of the use of data to make organizational and instructional improvements, of best practices in strategic planning and long-term goal setting, and of planning, research and statistical methods applied in an education setting. Extensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, survey design and evaluation; of project management and problem-solving techniques; of techniques relative to the application and administration of statistical software packages. Working skill in the use of a personal computer and mobile devices, as well as industry standard statistical and analysis software for report writing, data analysis, and presentations. (e.g. R, Stata, and ATLAS.ti preferred) Demonstrated ability to assist others in analyzing and using data for planning and decision-making; to manage multiple projects and priorities. Demonstrated ability to design research in a K-12 environment and analyze and interpret results in a simple and accurate method. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and collegially with all levels of the organization, including School Board members, senior leadership, principals, teachers and the public on sensitive issues. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing.

Requirements

Master's Degree in educational planning, research, statistics, or related field required; Doctorate (Ph.D) strongly preferred; training and experience sufficient to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
• Tuberculosis Screening/Test