Research Associate II - Generalist

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title Research Associate II - Generalist

Working Title Location Olympia EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. For more information regarding Evergreen's non- discrimination policies or to report discrimination, please visit the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity webpage at www. evergreen.edu/equalopportunity or contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Officer at (360) 867-5371, Room 3102 Library Building, 2700 Evergreen Parkway NW, Olympia, WA 98505.

Union Represented No Overtime Eligible No Monthly FTE 1.0 Salary Step (minimum monthly amount) $7,366.00 Salary Step (maximum monthly amount) $9,575.00 Cyclic Position No Cyclic Details n/a Project Position No End Date n/a Special Note

These positions are full-time, overtime-exempt, “at-will” appointments, and exempt from Washington State Civil Service rules and the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime requirements. These exempt positions serve at the discretion of the WSIPP Director.

Position Purpose

Research Associate IIs conduct research on public policy topics. The work primarily involves research design, data analysis, meta-analysis, report writing, and presentations. In addition, Research Associate IIs may assist in or lead the design and implementation of empirical outcome evaluations. The position involves frequent collaboration with other WSIPP researchers and consultation with state legislative members, legislative staff, state agency staff, external researchers, and other stakeholders.

This position conducts quantitative research in a variety of policy areas. This position operates under the general direction of WSIPP leadership and various project leads. The ideal candidate will have a background in policy analysis and a broad interest in evidence-based public policy; be a self- starter; be comfortable with ambiguity; possess strong quantitative, data analytical, communication, project management, and interpersonal skills; and be eager to learn.

Washington State Institute for Public Policy Profile The Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) is a nonpartisan public research group located in Olympia, the hub of the Washington State government. WSIPP is a team of multidisciplinary researchers who conduct applied policy research for the state legislature in a creative and collaborative environment.

WSIPP is strongly committed to the core values of nonpartisanship, quality, and impartiality. Created in 1983, WSIPP has become nationally and internationally recognized for the design, depth, and quality of its research reports and benefit-cost analyses.

Nature and Scope

WSIPP conducts research at the direction of the Washington State Legislature or WSIPP's Board of Directors. Research areas include public health, criminal justice, early learning, K-12 education, higher education, child welfare, behavioral health, and health care.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and participating in various research assignments, including outcome evaluations, literature reviews, benefit-cost analyses, and quantitative analyses of state administrative data. This position is expected to be flexible and adaptable in supporting more than one of WSIPP's current assignments and will likely need to pivot as new assignments are received.

Work Environment

The Research Associate II works in an office environment with occasional group meetings. Occasional travel to meet with stakeholders may be required. Flex scheduling is allowed, and a partial telecommuting schedule may be approved by the Director.

Essential Functions

Conduct and/or support rigorous quantitative research, including analysis of large state and national datasets, outcome evaluations, meta-analysis, and benefit-cost analysis as needed.

Perform data processing and analysis tasks, such as data organization and management, monitoring data quality, developing documentation, applying statistical and/or data science methods, and creating data visualizations.

Link, manage, and manipulate large datasets for empirical analyses.

Develop detailed project plans and timelines, manage project resources, and hold self and team members accountable for assigned work and deliverables.

Consult with legislative staff, state agencies, local governments, national experts, and stakeholders.

Write reports and present findings to the legislature and other technical and lay audiences.

Additional Duties

Complete other projects upon request. Work portfolios may vary depending on new legislative and Board-approved assignments.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Demonstrated experience:

Performing advanced statistical analysis, including experience using a statistical package such as Stata or R.

Managing and organizing multiple datasets.

Designing and planning the data workflow on tasks and projects.

Applying project management skills to independently accomplish work as a participant responsible for completing work on project teams and/or as project lead.

Independently and flexibly managing workload to meet assigned deadlines, including developing individual timelines while adhering to broader project timelines, knowing when to escalate issues, and when to adjust resources.

Ability to:

Apply exceptional interpersonal expertise to seek out and build positive working relationships with leadership, project team members, and internal and external stakeholders.

Work diplomatically, professionally, and in a nonpartisan manner on all issues ranging from day-to-day to controversial topics.

Critically review research literature and draw policy-relevant conclusions.

Apply knowledge of rigorous scientific outcome evaluation methods.

Take initiative and propose solutions to potential problems.

Tolerate ambiguity and effectively handle tasks that are not clearly defined.

Present research findings orally and in writing to both technical and lay audiences.

Work across multiple disciplines and with various legislative and state agency partners.

Minimum Qualifications

Education requirement:

Master's (or equivalent) in public policy, economics, or a relevant discipline plus two years of full-time, paid research experience; OR,

Ph.D. in public policy, economics, or a relevant discipline.

At least two years of experience and/or coursework conducting data analyses with survey or administrative datasets.

At least two years of experience and/or coursework using quantitative methods.

At least two years of experience managing research projects.

Desired Qualifications

Recent work experience or graduate-level training in statistics, meta- analysis, econometrics, outcome evaluation, or benefit-cost analysis.

Work experience in a government setting.

Conditions of Employment

Must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three days of beginning work.

Prior to a new hire, a background check, including criminal record history, will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Benefits

A full state benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid campus holidays; a generous medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; optional deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts. For more information about Evergreen's excellent employee benefits, please view https:// www. evergreen.edu/payroll/benefits.htm

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S2023-090

Number of Vacancies 2 Open Date 08/22/2023 Close Date 09/19/2023 Special Instructions to Applicants

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ().

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Resume

Optional Documents