Research Analyst

$56,940 - $116,480/Yr

College of Lake County - Grayslake, IL

Part-time,Full-time - Entry Level

Grayslake, IL

Educational Services

About the position

The Research Analyst position at the College of Lake County (CLC) is a vital role within the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning and Research (IEPR). This office is dedicated to fostering a culture of inquiry and evidence-informed decision-making across the college. The Research Analyst will work under the guidance of the Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Planning and Research, taking on the responsibility of managing institutional reporting processes. This includes conducting comprehensive research, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of statistical data to support the mission of the IEPR. The role is essential in identifying strategic opportunities and advancing efforts toward achieving institutional excellence. In this position, the Research Analyst will engage in various tasks that support the department's functions, including compliance with state and federal reporting requirements, conducting assessments and evaluations, and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives. The analyst will be expected to write detailed reports and prepare presentations that effectively communicate research findings to various stakeholders within the college. This role requires a meticulous approach to data quality and accuracy, ensuring that all reports and analyses meet the highest standards of integrity and rigor. The College of Lake County is committed to providing exceptional learning experiences and has been recognized as a Leader College for its efforts in improving student outcomes. The Research Analyst will play a key role in supporting this mission by leveraging data to inform decision-making and enhance institutional effectiveness. The position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, making it an attractive opportunity for qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Support the department in fulfilling its institutional research and decision support functions by completing ad-hoc data requests and standard projects from design to reporting as assigned.
• Assist in the preparation and checking of data for state and federal reports, regional accreditation requirements, and other compliance-related activities.
• Assist with the design, administration, and analysis of survey and focus group research, course evaluations, and program evaluation activities.
• Assist with data and research components of CLC's department review processes and other institutional initiatives.
• Write reports and prepare presentations, including visually appealing and informative statistical tables, charts, and graphs, for various audiences to facilitate the communication of research findings to college stakeholders.
• Assist in the development and documentation of research and data methodologies and processes.
• Verify the quality and accuracy of data and reports prepared by other members of the IEPR team.
• Support the department in fulfilling its data function by helping to maintain data technology tools and software and conducting data validation and quality assurance activities as needed.
• Provide consultative and technical assistance to college stakeholders on research design, statistical tools, analytical methods and software, and interpretation of research findings.
• Communicate with stakeholders who request data from IEPR on project status and timeline.
• Collaborate with IEPR leadership on strategies to enhance departmental process and practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with emphasis in statistics, psychology, economics, education, social sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of career experience performing educational, social, or market research analytics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel and Word; and SPSS.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g. PeopleSoft, Workday, etc.).
• Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Familiarity with state and federal economic, population, and educational data sources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Meticulous attention to detail, commitment to analytical rigor and intellectual honesty.
• Ability to maintain discretion in sharing sensitive or confidential information in compliance with federal law, college policy, and departmental directives.
• Proven ability to work effectively and constructively with persons of diverse cultures, language groups, and abilities.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in relevant field from accredited institution.
• Familiarity with a variety of databases, especially PeopleSoft (or other student information systems) and other industry data sources.
• Experience using mapping software (e.g. Arc GIS), as well as other data visualization software.
• Experience presenting complex findings in a compelling and entertaining way to lay and technical audiences.
• Experience using survey tools such as SurveyMonkey, or Qualtrics.
• Experience writing and conducting data queries.
• Engagement in professional, scholarly associations.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois)
• Dental insurance (Delta Dental)
• Vision insurance (Superior Vision)
• Tuition support for employees and qualified family members
• Three retirement plans
• Disability insurance
• Group and supplemental life insurance
• Health and dependent care flexible spending account plans
• Compressed work week in the summer (Closed Fridays)
• Generous vacation, sick and personal time off
• 14 paid holidays each year