"Research Specialist"

Job Number

CLA00587P

Position Title

Research Specialist

Position Type

Classified Full Time

Percentage Employee

100%

Number of Months Assignment

12

Starting Date

As soon as possible

Current Work Schedule

Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. or 7:30 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
Days and hours of employment may change depending on District needs.

Salary Range

Range 40

Salary

$7,194.63 – $9,204.39/ monthly
Successful candidate will start at step 1 except in cases where District deems appropriate.
This is a categorically funded position. Continuation of this position is contingent upon continued funding.

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Location

Main Campus

Department

Institutional Effectiveness

Open Date

02/11/2026

Closing Date

02/25/2026

About Rio Hondo College

Rio Hondo College welcomes and embraces all students in their educational and career pathways. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), our College has a student population of 22,000, of which 18,000 are Latinx students. We were the first college in Los Angeles County to provide two years of free tuition to first-time, full-time college students through our Rio Promise program. We are proud to acknowledge that many of our students have transferred to high ranked institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, USC and UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach, and Whittier College to name a few.

Strengths

Our caring and dedicated student-centered staff, faculty, and administrators are devoted to the advancement of educational justice, equity, and opportunity for all our students. Our Colleges 900 employees, with close to 600 faculty, hold themselves accountable for the academic success of disproportionately impacted student populations. Our entire staff, with unwavering team collaboration, work hard to ensure our students reach their full potential by eliminating gaps in academic outcomes that traditionally hinder students of color.

Rio Hondo College is committed to the recruitment of qualified and diverse employees who are dedicated to our students success. We recognize that diversity in an academic environment fosters cultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for our students. We are steadfast in our hiring practices and staff development processes which reinforce the goals of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion. Our practices and processes also support the importance of a workforce that reflects the community and the diverse student population we serve.

Rio Hondo College employs approximately 55% tenured track faculty of color; 60% part-time faculty of color; 85% classified staff of color; and 50% administrators of color.

Rio Hondo College offers 30 associate degrees that guarantee transfer (ADTs) to Cal State Universities, a bachelors degree in Automotive Technology, more than 60 certificates, a Pathway to Law School, dual enrollment with K-12 districts, state championship speech & debate team and excellent athletic teams, student leadership opportunities, travel abroad experiences and more.

In collaboration with the communities in Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, El Monte, South El Monte, Whittier, portions of Norwalk, La Mirada, Downey, La Puente, the City of Industry, Los Nietos and Avocado Heights, Rio Hondo College provides an exceptional academic curriculum to meet the unique needs of our region and strengthen our communities.

Basic Function

Under the general direction of an administrator or manager, compiles and conducts data analyses in support of institutional research studies on a variety of subjects applicable to a community college; assists and prepares institutional research studies and surveys on a variety of topics applicable to a community college; extracts data, compiles, and analyzes quantitative and qualitative data; assists with accreditation efforts.

Representative Duties

1. Provides quantitative and qualitative data support for institutional research studies and projects on a variety of subjects applicable to a community college; analyzes and reports statistical trends in data on a variety of subjects. E
2. Utilizes and operates computer hardware and software programs to query and extract or compile data from the existing college data warehouse, standard reports, or other sources; imports data from the college data warehouse for use with packaged statistical programs. E
3. Assembles, compiles, analyzes, and maintains selected data from a variety of sources, including but not limited to data warehouse, state reports and documents, other community college studies, and various standard reports.
4. Administers survey research instruments, programs surveys for use with electronic survey platforms; extracts data, compiles, analyzes, and interprets data from survey projects. E
5. Conducts statistical analysis using software such as Excel, SPSS, etc. E
6. Assists in the preparation, production, and distribution of final reports and other materials; assists in responding to data requests from other college departments and external agencies; prepares and maintains correspondence as required. E
7. Conducts and attends workshops, training sessions, committees, and meetings as required. E
8. Assists in gathering data through surveys and other data collection instruments as required. E
9. Prepares and drafts reports and presentations of findings, including but not limited to statistical tables, graphs, and presentation slides, etc., using database management, and other software programs. E
10. Reviews and verifies factors affecting data reliability, procedural integrity, coding accuracy, data security, and related issues; inputs data and creates spreadsheets and files for special projects. E
11. Supports administration with accreditation requirements utilizing data and other documentation. E
12. Prepares and maintains a variety of reports, records, logs, and statistical projects. E
13. Assists with and provides support for grant research activities; assists with college accountability and program review studies. E
14. Establishes and maintains contacts within the institution and within the local school systems, community groups, and various agencies to facilitate data gathering as is necessary. E
15. Performs a variety of clerical and administrative duties in support of the departments day-to-day activities and/or operations including but not limited to greets and directs visitors, answers phone calls, responds to callers, and directs incoming phone calls; opens, screens, and distributes mail and correspondence; photocopies documents and requests duplication services; ensures maintenance and repairs of assigned work areas, facilities, or equipment; enters various requests for services from IT, Facilities, and Maintenance; contacts vendors for equipment service, when needed; follows-up with vendors to ensure satisfactory completion or requests; may perform simple repairs or maintenance standard office equipment. E
16. Performs related duties that support the overall objective of the position

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires us to identify the essential (E) duties/functions of the position. We have indicated those duties with an E on the job description.

Knowledge and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• District policies and procedures related to the area of assignment.
• Introductory principles, practices, and methods of quantitative and qualitative research.
• Intermediate principles, practices, and methods of quantitative and qualitative research.
• Theories, principles, methods, and techniques of institutional and social science research.
• Research practices applicable to research design, methodology development, selection, data analysis, and interpretation and reporting.
• Principles and practices of survey development, design, and reporting.
• Personal computers, network systems, on-line, and cloud-based platforms.
• Analysis and business intelligence tools such as SPSS, Excel, Tableau, etc.
• Basic principles and practices of mathematics and descriptive statistics.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• College organization, operations, policies, procedures, goals, and objectives applicable to the scope of responsibility.
• Current issues and trends related to California Community Colleges.
• Current issues related to disabilities and diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of students.
• Record-keeping and filing system techniques.
• Proficient in the use of personal computers, ability to use network, on-line, and cloud based software platforms.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

ABILITY TO:

• Independently perform the essential responsibilities of the position.
• Operate computer hardware and software to input, obtain, query, extract, manage, maintain, and manipulate data rapidly and accurately.
• Interface with data warehouse and business intelligence tools for data reduction and display.
• Define technical issues, analyze problems, recommend, and develop sound, effective courses of action for data extraction, compilation, analysis, and visual display in support of research studies and standardized reports.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply federal and state law and regulations applicable to college-wide research studies.
• Provide assistance and information to administration, management, faculty, staff, and the public regarding trends.
• Organize, schedule, and coordinate research activities such as surveys and other studies.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain policies and procedures.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and concise reports and other written materials for technical and administrative purposes.
• Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned individuals.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize work to meet timelines.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
• Query and extract data from the data warehouse or other sources and produce dashboards, standardized reports, and data visualizations using data extraction, query, and business intelligence tools.
• Work effectively as part of a team.
• Produce accurate work in accordance with deadlines.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those encountered during the course of work.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree in statistics, research, or related discipline; AND
• Two (2) years of experience performing professional level research.
• Or, any combination of education and experience which would provide the required qualification for the position.

Foreign Degrees

Any degree from a country other than the United States, including Canada and Great Britain, must be evaluated by an Evaluation Service prior to the closing date. Certification must be attached with copies of transcripts.

License Certificates/Credentials

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver license.
• May be required to travel for various off-site meetings, trainings, conferences, and or events in support of the overall objective of the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Research experience in higher or public education

Distinguishable Characteristics

The Research Specialist compiles and conducts data analyses in support of institutional research studies applicable to a community college; assists the administrator and Research Analysts with extracting, compiling and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data for the accreditation process.
The Research Specialist is distinguished from the Research Analyst in that the latter performs complex statistical analysis and technical support to faculty, staff, and administration utilizing a variety of research methodologies, assessment tools, and survey development. The incumbent performs complex research activities to assist administration and management with decision support through data-driven analysis.

Working Conditions

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Employees work under typical office conditions, with constant interruptions, and the noise level may vary depending on activities of the office.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods of time; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel, operate personal computers and other standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, use of both eyes, ability to distinguish basic shades and colors and the ability to adjust focus.
Employees are frequently required to walk and stand and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this class, incumbents are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data; use math and mathematical reasoning; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information and skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; and interact with District, students, vendors and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom are dissatisfied or abusive.

Position Description

Applications are currently being accepted for a Research Specialist. This is a Full-Time, 12 month position. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PT on the closing date.
Applicants must submit a complete online application that includes the items listed.

• Rio Hondo College online application (which includes supplemental questions)
• Résumé
• Complete transcripts of all colleges/university studies, including degree earned (copies will be accepted)

PAPER APPLICATIONS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS SENT VIA MAIL, FAX, OR EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
NOTE THAT ALL CORRESPONDENCE, INCLUDING INTERVIEW INVITATIONS, WILL BE SENT VIA EMAIL.

Additional Information

• The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires the District obtain documentation from every individual who is employed which verifies identity and authorizes his/her right to work in the United States.
• Successful candidate is responsible for verifying all prior work experience and providing all academic transcripts for purposes of salary placement.
• As a condition of employment, the selected applicant must provide a set of fingerprints (at the applicants expense) taken by an official LiveScan agency.
• Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial employment (The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment).
• For positions requiring a valid California drivers license, proof of insurability is required.
• Applicants who are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and require accommodations for completing the application process, testing (if required for position), or the interview, please notify the Human Resources Office.
• A copy of this announcement will be provided in Braille to visually impaired applicants upon request.

Commitment to Diversity

All applicants must have demonstrated cultural competency and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff.

Cancel RTF Policy

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO RE-OPEN, RE-ADVERTISE, DELAY OR CANCEL FILLING THIS POSITION.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL FUTURE VACANCIES.

EEO Statement

Rio Hondo College is committed to employing qualified administrators, faculty and staff members who are dedicated to student success. The Board recognizes that diversity in the academic environment fosters cultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for all students. The Board is committed to hiring and staff development processes that support the goals of equal opportunity and diversity, and provide equal consideration for all qualified candidates.

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