Summary:
The Research and Policy Associate will support early childhood workforce research and policy projects. The incumbent will work across multiple CSCCE projects, and under the general supervision of and in collaboration with academic staff, will undertake research and policy projects. The incumbent is expected to apply expertise in early childhood workforce and/or related policy and research skills to research and project design. S/he will perform complex tasks related to research and analyses, making significant, original contributions; including authorship or co-authorship of published findings.
Responsibilities:
Provide support on quantitative and qualitative methodological design and procedures, including but not limited to sample selection, survey design.
Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data, including original research and extant data.
Apply research findings to complex policy issues, conduct policy analysis, and prepare written material for dissemination (e.g., reports, briefs)..
Participate in, and lead some aspects of dissemination of research and policy analysis, including, but not limited to report/documentation preparation, professional presentations, and manuscripts for peer review.
Participate in and provide expert advisement to local, state, and national early childhood workforce committees, advisory councils, and workgroups.
Required Qualifications:
Experience in research and/or public policy related to the early care and education workforce or relevant issues such as K-12 workforce development, wage and/or labor policy, and/or issues facing low wage workers.
Ability to manage competing deadlines with attention to high level of detail and accuracy.
Experience conducting policy analysis and assessing policy implementation
Experience with quantitative and qualitative social science and public policy research, including, but not limited to developing research protocols, developing online surveys, and analyzing extant and original datasets.
Documented ability of strong writing skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, to multiple constituencies, including policy makers, researchers, and other external stakeholders.
Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, with research projects running concurrently.
Demonstrated computer skills including data management, bibliographic and spreadsheet software, in addition to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Drive applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
Skills associated with public policy analysis
Skills associated with specific survey administration and analysis software, Qualtrics and SPSS.
Skills associated with qualitative research design and analysis (e.g., interviews, focus groups, document analysis).
Experience in fact checking and preparing manuscripts for publication.
Familiarity with early childhood workforce policy.
Experience utilizing social media for employment-related purposes.
5 years relevant experience in research and policy analysis.