Research Associate

About Us

The University System of Georgia (USG) is comprised of 25 higher education institutions as well as the University System Office (USO). Within the USO, our administrative operations are primarily housed in the Trinity Washington Building located in downtown Atlanta. Our Information Technology Services (ITS) division is located in Athens. The University System of Georgia Shared Services Center (SSC) is located in Sandersville. The Georgia Public Library System is located in Atlanta. The Georgia Archives is located in Morrow. The State of Georgia Records Center is located in Austell.

Location

University System Office ATLTW - 270 Washington Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30334

Information Technology Services (ITS) - 2500 Daniells Bridge Road Athens, GA 30606

Job Summary

Background: The University System of Georgia (USG) is one of the nation's largest and leading public higher education systems. The USG is committed to creating a more educated Georgia that is prepared for the global knowledge economy by increasing degree completion, ensuring academic excellence, spurring research and creativity, driving business creation, and making effective and efficient use of resources. The USG will accelerate our state's higher education commitment to educational attainment, accountability, partnerships, performance, value, and global competitiveness. Our organizational core values are founded upon the principles of Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect.

Summary: The Division of Research and Policy Analysis (RPA) of the University System of Georgia is responsible for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on the system's 25 public colleges and universities. RPA conducts research and ensures that accurate and up-to-date information is available to guide planning and policy development. RPA plays a critical role in meeting the strategic imperative that data is used to foster transparency, continuous improvement, and student success throughout the University System of Georgia.

The Research Associate will support the mission of RPA by reporting on system data, submitting data to external entities including the federal government and education agencies, and responding to requests for information from the legislature, institutions, and system office divisions. The Research Associate will analyze higher education data and policy issues and conduct research to advance the mission of the USG. The Research Associate will play an integral role in advancing RPA's research agenda. The Research Associate will provide support for enterprise dashboard projects through data validation, user experience enhancement, and data visualization recommendations in collaboration with the Enterprise Data Management and Analytics team. The Research Associate will assist in system data collection and governance. RPA values critical thinking and problem-solving skills, a commitment to data transparency, a service-oriented approach to responding to data requests, and attention to detail. Responsibilities will vary to meet the strategic imperative that data and analysis are key drivers in the USG becoming the best system of higher education in the country.

This position is located in either Atlanta or Athens.

Responsibilities

• Collect, analyze, organize, and report data on USG institutions to internal and external constituencies. This includes federal and state government, funding agencies, system office divisions, institutions, and the public.
• Plan and implement analytical projects from conception to delivery; may include constructing datasets, conducting statistical analyses, synthesizing academic literature, and compiling data on related state and national trends in higher education.
• Package work in a format that supports decision making and problem solving by USG leadership and other stakeholders. Includes creating reports, drafting memos and presentations, and editing for clarity and content.
• Serve on USG committees, task forces, and advisory councils. Work with institution stakeholders to ensure that valid and reliable data inform system-level decision making.
• Carry out data governance and management work for the USG's data holdings.
• Collaborate with the Enterprise Data Management and Analytics team to optimize data submission, reporting, and visualization.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree required and over three years of related experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree required with training in research and analysis of education, social science, or economic data and experience in higher education policy, research, and/or analysis or comparable experience in a similar field. Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be proficient in a statistics program such as Stata, R, etc.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, Excel)
• Preferred proficiency with SQL
• Preferred experience with data visualization software (e.g., Power BI)
• Preferred experience working with state-level higher education data

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to analyze, interpret, and report data and communicate complex ideas and research findings clearly and concisely to diverse audiences;
• Ability to translate a stakeholder information request into an analytic plan for a project or technical specifications for a report;
• Knowledge of issues and trends in higher education;
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of statistical software (e.g., Stata, R) and other office software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.);
• SQL programming skills preferred;
• Excellent analytical reasoning, problem solving, and written/verbal communication skills;
• Proficient in using national databases e.g., Census data or IPEDS;
• Keen eye for detecting data discrepancies;
• Knowledge of FERPA and ethical uses of data;
• Demonstrated ability to learn new software and acquire new competencies;
• Demonstrated understanding of data management, relational databases, and data warehouses and experience with data dictionaries, metadata, and data standards;
• Experience working with state-level higher education data preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize work, handle multiple tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines, and maintain documentation for projects and requests;
• Willingness and ability to provide support and service to other departments within USG, to USG campuses, and external constituencies
• Able to handle confidential materials professionally and with discretion; and
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are subject to federal and state laws, as well as the statutes, rules, and regulations of this organization, and the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG). These Bylaws and Policies are available for inspection upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University System Office is an equal employment, equal access, and equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the University System Office to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws.For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy, please contact the University System Office Human Resources at 404.962.3242. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources.

Background Check

Offers of employment are subject to a background investigation, including criminal records history, to determine eligibility for employment. Additionally, credentials and employment history stated in your application materials are also subject to verification.

For certain positions, a satisfactory credit check, MVR, or other relevant investigations may also be conducted. The University System Office holds the sole discretion in assessing eligibility for employment.