What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Fellowship position at State of Washington?
The Council is seeking candidates for a research fellowship position within the Research Division of the Washington Student Achievement Council. We anticipate this position will be funded through June 2024 and is contingent upon grant funding continuity.
This position will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied. The review of applications is expected to be ongoing. Applicants should submit their application materials as early as possible. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. This job posting may be closed at any time without notice.
Why work for the Washington Student Achievement Council?
At the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), we are committed to increasing educational opportunities and attainment in Washington. We believe that every person living in the state of Washington should have access to educational opportunities and be encouraged to pursue education or training beyond high school. To achieve our mission, we:
At WSAC
Our programs and policies work with diverse communities to eliminate barriers to people pursuing education beyond high school. As an employer, we strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a competitive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
At the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), we are committed to increasing educational opportunities and attainment in Washington. We believe that every person living in the state of Washington should have access to educational opportunities and be encouraged to pursue education or training beyond high school. To achieve our mission, we:
- Lead statewide strategic planning to increase educational attainment.
- Administer programs that help people access and pay for college.
- Advocate for the economic, social, and civic benefits of higher education.
At WSAC
Our programs and policies work with diverse communities to eliminate barriers to people pursuing education beyond high school. As an employer, we strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a competitive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
- We offer flexible/alternative work schedules, wellness activities, and teleworking opportunities.
- Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work.
- Employees have access to tuition assistance and tuition waiver programs,
- If you have experience advocating for communities of color or others who are experiencing educational inequities-including those directly impacted by the criminal justice system; people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay or bisexual; veterans; and people with disabilities you are strongly encouraged to apply, even if you don’t meet all the desired/preferred qualification listed.
About the Research Division
The Research Division provides information and analyses that guide the Washington Student Achievement Council's efforts to advance higher education attainment in the state. The Research Division is committed to creating a workplace where all researchers thrive personally and professionally. This includes continued professional development and training, opportunities to collaborate and learn from leading national research organizations, and opportunities to be part of innovative research projects.
We also believe that our division should reflect the rich diversity of the student population we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, culture, sexual orientation, ability status, and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all our research practices. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral values of the WSAC Research division, and a key strategic focus for WSAC as an agency. To continue to prioritize these values and associated activities, research staff centers the agency’s equity lens and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee’s equity strategy to drive our work.
The Research Division provides information and analyses that guide the Washington Student Achievement Council's efforts to advance higher education attainment in the state. The Research Division is committed to creating a workplace where all researchers thrive personally and professionally. This includes continued professional development and training, opportunities to collaborate and learn from leading national research organizations, and opportunities to be part of innovative research projects.
We also believe that our division should reflect the rich diversity of the student population we aim to serve—in race, gender, age, culture, sexual orientation, ability status, and beliefs—and we support this diversity through all our research practices. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral values of the WSAC Research division, and a key strategic focus for WSAC as an agency. To continue to prioritize these values and associated activities, research staff centers the agency’s equity lens and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee’s equity strategy to drive our work.
About the Grant Project
Washington State has designed a cutting edge interactive chatbot, Otterbot, to help low-income high school students learn about and access financial aid to attend college. The chatbot uses artificial intelligence technology and proactive messaging campaigns to engage with students—offering tips, advice, and answering questions to help ease the transition from high school to college and ensure students can access the financial aid they are eligible for.
WSAC has secured grant funding alongside a renowned national research organization and other partners to expand the chatbot and increase understanding of student usage and engagement with Otterbot and the effects on key outcomes such as FAFSA completion and college matriculation. Learn more about the grant here.
The Research Fellowship position will play an integral role in this exciting and innovative project. They will conduct quantitative and qualitative research and analysis alongside experienced researchers and will help manage aspects of the project on WSAC’s behalf. This is a great opportunity to develop skills and gain hands-on experience in applied education research.
About the Position
Research activities in the first phase of the project will include analysis of quantitative data and qualitative research such as focus groups and surveys with students and parents to better understand their needs, questions, reactions to the Otterbot messaging. The project team will set up data analytics to provide ongoing insights on Otterbot usage and engagement. The second phase of the project will use A/B testing to quickly test and assess various strategies for improving Otterbot.
WSAC is seeking candidates who have experience using data analytics and a strong command of statistical software, along with an interest in improving the lives of low-income people through data-driven program improvement. The position offers an exciting opportunity to work on a meaningful grant project to improve the effectiveness of the Otterbot tool to increase college enrollment for low-income students in Washington. The project will also help build WSAC’s capability to do quantitative and qualitative research to support state programs. This grant-funded position within the WSAC research team will play a central role researching the Otterbot texting tool. This position will be responsible for analyzing quantitative data on engagement and usage patterns, conducting qualitative research with students and families, and reporting on findings. They will also manage aspects of the project on behalf of the WSAC team. The ideal candidate would bring research and data analysis experience, project management, and enthusiasm to continue growing in these areas throughout the project duration. The position will involve close collaboration with the project team including the Otterbot Grant Program Associate, members of WSAC leadership, external grant partners, and the grant funder.
Some of what you will be doing includes:
- Quantitative research: conduct data analysis using SAS, SQL, or R and create reports including tables, figures, and written descriptions of data.
- Qualitative research: conduct focus groups, interviews, and/or surveys with students and families, analyze findings, and report on takeaways.
- Report on research findings: draft reports to share research findings from project data and existing literature. The position will also help co-author research briefs as part of the grant project.
- Project coordination/management: coordinate research project activities on behalf of the WSAC team, ensure timelines and deliverables are met, track project progress, and communicate between WSAC and external partners.
- Minimum master's degree in Economics, Social Science, Statistics, Public Policy, Mathematics or other relevant field
- Demonstrated knowledge of quantitative data collection and analysis techniques and research methodologies
- General knowledge of qualitative data collection, protocol development, and facilitation skills and interest in contributing to qualitative research activities
- Ability to produce written reports in a variety of formats for easy interpretation and use, and to design and prepare graphs, tables, and other visuals
- Ability to identify findings from research and data, evaluate alternatives, and draw conclusions relating to policy or practice
- General knowledge of and experience working with datasets such as academic, workforce, economic, census, fiscal, or administrative data
- Demonstrated computer skills to perform data analysis using at least one of the following software packages: SAS, SQL, or R
- Ability to use create compelling visuals for presentations or reporting findings
- Experience in a role requiring collaboration in a complex organization and working with external organizations
- Organizational skills to plan and prioritize work efficiently and productively to meet competing deadlines
- A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and ability to translate these values into research work
As stated in Governor’s Proclamation 21-14, all employees engaging in work for the Washington Student Achievement Council are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination will be verified by the Office of Human Resources after an employment offer has been extended and accepted. Please reach out to the Office of Human Resources at HR@wsac.wa.gov if you need information on a medical or religious accommodation.
Application Procedures
To be considered for this position you must possess the required qualification listed above. Find this job posting and complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov. which must include the following:
- Letter of Application. A letter of application that addresses how you meet the required education and experience described in this announcement. Applications with generic cover letters will be considered nonresponsive and may eliminate the application from further consideration.
- Resume. A detailed resume including all educational and professional experience.
- Report sample. The report should showcase your writing and research skills.
- References. A list of names, titles, and current telephone numbers of three (3) employment references.
EEO Statement
The Washington Student Achievement Council is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all applicants and employees. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, persons over 40 years of age, and veterans are encouraged to apply. If you need accommodations in the application process or wish to receive this job announcement in an alternative format, please call 360.485.1138 or email HR@wsac.wa.gov.
Please Note: 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.
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