Institutional Research Data Analyst

Institutional Research Data Analyst

U24

Office of Institutional Research

Thomas Edison State University was founded in 1972 to break down barriers to degree completion. Fifty years later, it proudly serves a diverse body of adult students with innovative and professionally relevant academic programming in a predominantly online delivery. Our team of high-energy student-focused professionals is welcoming new members who are making their mark in education and are ready to help change the lives of thousands of adult students across New Jersey and around the world.

Candidates who are excited by changing lives, committed to the success of all and want to be challenged by new and innovative opportunities, should submit an application.

Summary:      

Thomas Edison State University is seeking to hire an experienced Institutional Research Data Analyst to work in the Office of Institutional Research.  The Institutional Research office plays a key role in providing data, analysis and research that supports strategic and operational decision making for the University. The Office, though the leadership of the Director of Institutional Research and Planning, is a key advisor to the President, COO, and senior leadership team, as they assess the health and trajectory of the University. As such, the Institutional Research Data Analyst provides analytical and research leadership and expertise in support of those efforts. In addition, as TESU continues to build out a nuanced retention and engagement model to drive increased graduation outcomes, the Institutional Research Data Analyst will support the work of assessing student success initiatives and conduct predictive modeling related to student retention/success. 

The Institutional Research Data Analyst will have primary responsibility for collecting and evaluating data and creating reports related to student success. This position will be responsible for the design, development and implementation of research projects and reporting tools focused on tracking student engagement and persistence from admissions through graduation as well as post-graduation outcomes. The Institutional Research Data Analyst will engage in career outcomes assessment, strategic planning, and University assessment initiatives. They will also provide data and information needed for compliance and operational reporting. 

Examples of Work:

Research and Data Analysis

-Designs, implements and reports on extensive research and statistical analysis pertaining to issues of importance to the University (e.g., enrollment forecasting, student recruitment and enrollment, persistence and graduation, course completions, student success factors, and post-graduation outcomes).

-Leverages statistical analysis (e.g., data mining, predictive analytics) to reveal trends related to student success, identify equity gaps in student achievement, and detect potential barriers to student progression towards a credential.

-Responds to specific research questions and data requests from within and outside the institution.

-Utilizes external databases (e.g., National Student Clearinghouse, IPEDS database tools, Alumni Pathways, etc.) to address issues related to students as well as to obtain peer comparison data. Prepares summaries of research findings. 

Reporting

-Prepares user-friendly data visualizations for use in presentations (PowerPoint), reports (MS Excel and Word) and interactive dashboards (Power BI). Provides a narrative summary of research findings.

-Produces information needed to complete external compliance surveys and reports (e.g., federal (IPEDS), regional, state, partnerships, etc.). 

-Assists with the design, development, and implementation of a University Fact Book.

Data Governance and Integrity

-Assists with the development and maintenance of a data glossary and documented standard operating procedures.

-Assists with the development and maintenance of Office databases and data files using spreadsheets and other relational or statistical databases (e.g., Excel, Access, SPSS).

-Identifies, documents, and resolves data integrity and coding issues. Establishes and maintains procedures for proofreading, editing, and checking accuracy of work. 

-Maintains confidentiality of student information. Follows protocols for securing data files.

Other

-Assists the Director with producing data reports, developing papers and/or presentations for internal and external audiences. 

-Establishes liaisons and coordinates activities with other University staff and/or organizations that relate to and/or impact assigned responsibilities. 

-Participates on University-wide committees, workshops, and activities. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

-Must be knowledgeable about issues related to college student success with knowledge about the motivations and behavior patterns of adult learners a plus.

-Must have experience with statistical analysis, report writing, research design, oral presentations, and assessment validation.

-Must have advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and statistical software applications (e.g., SPSS).

-Must be proficient with interactive data visualization tools (Power BI preferred).

-Must be able to extract, edit, compile, and evaluate data. Knowledge of SQL a plus.

-Must be able to communicate research results in a clear manner, including the preparation of executive summaries and narrative reports.

-Must possess strong analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, excellent writing skills, and understand descriptive and inferential statistics, including data mining and multivariate and predictive analytics. Experience with enrollment forecasting a plus.

-Must be detail-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced office. Must be flexible and able to organize, prioritize, and multitask. Must be experienced in handling confidential information. 

-Must be able to work both independently and as part of the group. Should embrace and enjoy a strong collaborative work approach.

-Should have experience working with data from external sources (e.g., IPEDS Data Center, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.).

Requirements:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in a field related to the position to be filled or an equivalency as determined by the appointing authority. Degree should be in a field with an emphasis on data analysis, research, and/or assessment (e.g., social sciences, data analytics, statistics, or other closely related field).

Experience: At least 2 years professional experience in a field in a higher education institution that is directly related to the functions of the position to be filled (e.g., Institutional Research, academic data analysis, student success, etc.), or equivalency as determined by the appointing authority. Applicants should be knowledgeable about issues related to adult students in higher education, specifically related to factors that impact adult college student’s motivation, engagement, persistence, and graduation.

-A master’s degree or higher may be substituted for one year of the required experience. 

Preferred candidate: The preferred candidate will have 3 or more  years of Institutional Research experience, be experienced in conducting extensive and technical statistical analysis, has experience working with career outcome tools, is experienced with academic program reviews, accreditation, and compliance reporting, has experience with interactive data reporting tools (PowerBI) and possesses strong knowledge about issues related to adult college students’ motivation and factors that predict their success in college. 

Work Hours: 8:30-4:30 M-F  

How to Apply:

All applicants are expected to attach a cover letter that includes a description of the type of institutional research office that the applicant worked in, the applicant’s experience working on institutional research projects, experience with conducting research related to student success and how their past experiences relate to the requirements of the Institutional Research Data Analyst position. The cover letter should also include applicant’s experience working with or doing research on adult/nontraditional college students.

*TESU strives to offer a flexible work environment while balancing the operational needs of the University.  As such, we have several options for hybrid-work schedules.  Positions determine what type of hybrid-work schedule is available and, if necessary, adjustments are made to support University operations. 

Thomas Edison State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer