Research Associate: Academy for Educational Development, NYC

AED staff and consultants play a variety of roles across and within projects--as managers, technical assistance providers, evaluators, and adult educators, policy analysts, and advocates. This position will provide the opportunity to assume combinations of such roles in any one project, and to learn when to draw lines between them. This will require a certain flexibility and willingness to learn. We work in teams with each other and with our various collaborators, and expect both critical feedback and generous support from one another.

RESPONSIBILITIES include:

* Assist in the development and management of school-reform and youth-development initiatives, including (but not limited to) coordinating partnerships with other organizations that provide direct support to the program, identifying resources and materials to assist schools and professional-development partners, assisting in the design and management of networking conferences for educators and service providers.

* Conduct qualitative and quantitative documentation and evaluation activities for such programs, including developing research strategies, instruments, and protocols; conducting observations, interviews, and focus groups in schools and communities; administering surveys and collecting extant data; analyzing data.

* Assist in the design and delivery of assistance and support services to schools and youth programs that seek to improve educational and developmental outcomes for young people.

* Assist in writing and presenting reports, working papers, proposals, and related documents associated with the development, management, documentation and evaluation of programs and activities.

* And other related job duties as assigned by incumbent.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Specific position requirements include the following:

* Masters Degree in education or related social science and a minimum of 3 years experience in education; or equivalent combination of education and experience. * Demonstrated skill in organizing activities, managing relationships with collaborating organizations, developing and monitoring time lines and project performance, and related management/coordination skills.

* Qualitative and quantitative research skills, including conducting observations, interviews, and focus groups; developing protocols, instruments and managing data sets; collecting extant data; administering surveys; analyzing qualitative and quantitative data; familiarity with statistical procedures is desirable.

* Experience with programs serving disadvantaged youth, their communities, or their schools, and familiarity with policy or practice issues in at least one of those areas.

* Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills.

* Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

* Working knowledge of WordPerfect and statistical software such as SPSS or SAS is essential; familiarity with other software such as Lotus, Presentations and qualitative software (e.g., NUD-IST, IZE) is highly desirable.

SUPERVISOR: Co-Executive Director, School and Community Services, New York office GRADE: 5 SALARY RANGE: $30,000 - $37,000

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 29, 1999

Interested candidates should send their resume with cover letter and reference position #KV9110 to:

AED/HR, 1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20009, fax 202-884-8413

or

AED/HR Jacqueline Johnson 100 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10011 Fax (212) 627-0407

As part of its evaluation initiatives, City Year project teams will be carrying out small scale outcome studies about their service projects, which take place in a variety of settings, including schools, after school programs, and human service agencies, among others. We are seeking a trained researcher/evaluator to coach and assist teams in developing and carrying out their studies, including the final reports and posters for City Year's annual conference. Consultants will not be responsible for collecting and analyzing data, but should have skills in doing so. Consultants are encouraged to also create and present trainings for site staff and corps members on evaluation techniques. The consultant will work with their local City Year site and should be in reasonable commuting distance of the site listed above. (Consultant will need to regularly visit teams/projects in 3 sites throughout Rhode Island - Providence, Woonsocket, and Newport, therefore, access to a car is required.) They will receive some direction from the internal evaluation department, Research and Systematic Learning, at the City Year National Headquarters.

Time commitment: Evaluation consultants will work up to 140 hours between August 1999 and May 2000.

Qualifications: Masters degree or higher, with training and experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods and evaluation techniques; experience working with young adults; knowledge of participatory evaluation techniques helpful; experience in education or non-profit sectors. **Advanced doctoral students are especially encouraged to apply.**

Pay: $22 an hour.

To apply: Please submit your resume and a cover letter to: Ivy Jones at City Year National by e-mail at Ivy_Jones@city-year.org, by phone at 617-927-2330, or by fax at 617-927-2510. The final hiring decision will be left up to City Year Rhode Island.

Responsibilities:

Manage a comprehensive and innovative department that helps City Year meet its potential for continuous improvement at its eleven sites, reporting to internal and external stakeholders, understanding effective practices, and gathering data on evidence of impact.

Oversee a multi-year research project on City Year's impact and effective practices. Manage process of finding an external research contractor for focus group phase of project (year 1), work closely with contractor to plan research agenda/protocols and conduct analyses, serve as liaison with project funders, hire and manage administrative coordinator who will recruit focus group participants, coordinate meetings with City Year stakeholder and advisory groups, and prepare reports as needed. Oversee phase two of the research project, which will entail the design of five to seven targeted studies, both quantitative and qualitative. Prepare grant proposal.

Supervise two professional staff and one administrative staff person, who carry out the department's other activities, especially collection/analysis of data from City Year's eleven sites (both qualitative and quantitative data) and technical support for sustaining and building of site capacity for evaluation and evaluation use.

With department staff and other internal stakeholders, plan strategic agenda for answering shorter term questions that will help strengthen City Year's programs and work with staff to maximize utilization of information at the national level

Represent department where needed and participate in City Year activities as required, provide evaluation consultation and make presentations to internal and external audiences, explain and build support for evaluation, and review/manage external requests for carrying out research at City Year.

Plan and manage department budget. Create short and long term strategic plan for department that is in line with City Year's goals. Qualifications/experience: Doctoral degree in education, social sciences or related, or advanced degree with substantial experience in research/program evaluation.

Ten years of professional experience, including supervising others and managing a department or major projects, and at least five years of experience in research/evaluation.

Ability to provide innovative leadership.

Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods, including participatory methods.

Excellent writing, communication, organizational skills, and management skills.

Experience managing and writing grants.

Ability to be flexible and work in fast-paced environment.

Interest in and commitment to community service for young adults.

Reports to: Director of Data, Analysis, Technology, and Administration Department (DATA)

Starting date: July, 1999

Salary: Competitive, based on experience.

Please send a cover letter and resume to: Steven Fraser, Director of Human Potential, City Year, Inc., 285 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02116. Fax: 617-927-2687.