Research and Evaluation Specialist II

Specialist II, Research and Evaluation
Any CEO Office Location
Hybrid - 2 days/week in Office

Anticipated deadline to submit application: April 14, 2025 before 5pm EST. Position may close early if application limit is met. Apply promptly for full consideration.

The Opportunity

The Specialist II, Research and Evaluation plays a pivotal role in leading the design, execution, and interpretation of sophisticated research projects, providing strategic insights and evidence-based recommendations to advance CEO's mission and enhance program effectiveness. This senior-level position requires collaborating closely with internal teams, senior leadership, external researchers, and other stakeholders to identify critical research needs, develop robust program evaluation frameworks, and implement innovative methodologies. The Specialist will leverage their expertise in inferential statistics and experimental design to ensure that CEO's research efforts produce valid, reliable, and impactful results, significantly contributing to the broader field of reentry research.

Additionally, the Specialist designs and delivers comprehensive training programs to enhance organizational competencies in research design and statistical analysis, empowering staff to utilize data effectively for decision-making. This role champions data-driven storytelling, clearly communicating the impact of services on participants and informing continuous program improvement. By proactively engaging with and consulting for various stakeholders, the Specialist fosters a culture of evidence-based excellence within CEO. Mastery of inferential statistics, advanced data analysis, and rigorous research methodologies are essential to success in this position. The ideal candidate is not only proficient in quantitative and qualitative data analysis but also experienced in consulting roles, adept at translating complex findings into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.

As part of our mission, we strongly encourage individuals who have lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system to apply for this role.

Who We Are

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people recently released from incarceration. Across the United States, 8,000-9,000 people participate in CEO each year, transitioning to employment that supports themselves, their families, and their communities.

What began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s to address employment barriers facing the formerly incarcerated following release in New York City has grown into the leading reentry employment organization in the country, where over 30,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996.

Who You Are

• You have at least 7 years of progressive experience in a research analyst or consulting role, with demonstrated expertise in inferential statistics, advanced research methodologies, and program evaluation.
• You have proven experience consulting with and influencing senior organizational leaders and diverse stakeholder groups.
• You have extensive experience managing multiple, complex research projects and cross-functional teams effectively.
• You have mastery in inferential statistics, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and program evaluation design.
• You have exceptional communication skills, able to translate complex statistical findings into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• You have the proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects, meeting deadlines consistently.
• You are a skilled facilitator and collaborative leader, experienced in engaging stakeholders and driving action through evidence-based recommendations.
• You have advanced proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., R, SPSS, STATA), data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau), and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce).
• You are an adaptable problem-solver, continuously curious, and committed to advancing the field of reentry through rigorous, innovative research.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Key responsibilities of the Specialist II, Research & Evaluation include but are not limited to:

Research & Evaluation:

• Conduct sophisticated statistical analyses and program evaluations, utilizing mastery-level knowledge of inferential statistics and rigorous research design methodologies.
• Lead original research initiatives, ensuring methodological rigor and alignment with current best practices in reentry research.
• Consult and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership, academic institutions, and research organizations, to advance CEO's research objectives and influence broader reentry practices.
• Develop and implement strategies for comprehensive program performance measurement, ensuring clarity and rigor in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Provide expert guidance on statistical methodologies, including longitudinal studies, randomized control trials, quasi-experimental designs, and benchmarking.
• Innovate and pilot practices to enhance data utilization, participant feedback integration, and data-driven decision-making.

Project Management:

• Lead complex research projects from conceptualization through execution, clearly communicating progress and findings to stakeholders.
• Manage multiple simultaneous projects, ensuring methodological rigor, timeliness, and relevance of research deliverables.
• Liaise effectively across teams and departments, proactively addressing stakeholder needs and incorporating feedback into research strategies.

Team Management and Support:

• Advocate for high standards in data quality, accessibility, and methodological rigor across all research activities.
• Support organizational learning through targeted training, fostering expertise in research methodologies and inferential statistical analyses among staff.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $91,400-101,500/annually. CEO's compensation philosophy considers a variety of factors including experience, internal equity, and the labor market associated with the city in which the position is located. This position can be located in any of the cities in which CEO operates. The labor markets associated with the cities in which CEO is based are variable, and the salary range included here reflects this. Our salary offer will fall within this range and will be reflective of the labor market of the city in which the position is based, as well the other factors named above.

We recognize that salary is a part of the overall compensation package and also provide a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, as well as professional development opportunities to our staff.

We also offer paid parental leave, participation in a retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, paid holidays and more. We are a workplace that promotes continual learning and teamwork, offering lunch and learns, team outings, holiday gatherings and more for our staff.

More About Us

Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. People who are justice involved are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. CEO is committed to the CROWN Act, and creating an open space where our employees can present as their true authentic selves.

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, gender, gender identity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact.

Please note that due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to contact each applicant regarding the status of each position or reply to candidates' inquiries via phone or email.

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