POSITION: Research Assistant (Part-Time)
PURPOSE: Assists research team members on a range of projects and associated tasks. Assists with the organization’s school choice program data collection and analysis; works with Research and Thought Leadership (RTL) Team to verify research and data sources. General responsibilities include data collection, database management and analyzing trends.
SUPERVISED BY: Director of State Research and Special Projects
Residence in the Indianapolis metropolitan area is preferred.
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Collects data on private educational choice programs in the states (60%)

• Communicates regularly with relevant state agencies and key partners
• Monitors, manages, and communicates frequently the process and progress of data collection
• Files Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, when necessary
• Works with applicable members of the RTL and Communications teams to routinely update web program profiles
• Works with applicable members of the RTL and Communications teams to continuously update the School Choice in America dashboard

 
Serves as RTL point of contact for information requests from non-Focus states (20%)

• Responds to all incoming requests for information from Policy Watch states
• Requests support and advice from applicable RTL Team member(s), as needed
• Forwards requests to applicable staff member, when needed

 
Supports quality control for the RTL Team’s research activities (10%)

• Reviews and edits national and state research written by RTL Team members and/or contracted authors, as needed
• Verifies the data sources, citations, and data contained in research papers and reports publicly released by EdChoice
• Drafts blog posts based on research

 
Assists with short- and long-term research projects, as needed (10%)

• Works with RTL Team member(s) to collect, clean, and/or aggregate data and/or findings

 
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Active member of the EdChoice’s Research Team
• Performs other duties as assigned

 
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience: Minimum undergraduate degree in economics, political science, public policy, or other research-oriented social sciences field preferred. One or more years’ experience in education research preferred. Basic familiarity with school choice concepts or private school research required.
Essential Competencies: Data Collection, Data Analysis, Interpersonal Communications, Integrity/Accountability, Customer Service, Project Management, and Workload/Time Management.
Writing/Language Skills:Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general professional journals, public policy reports, or governmental laws, codes, and regulations. Ability to write informal professional correspondence. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from members of the education community or general public.
Reasoning Ability:Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Excellent problem analysis and problem-solving skills required.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as ratios, proportions, and percentages and apply basic methods of statistical analysis. Experience with basic descriptive statistics preferred.
Other Skills and Abilities: Keen attention to detail required. Computer proficient with Microsoft Office products with a high level of proficiency in Excel and Word, and PowerPoint. Demonstrated experience and proficiency with STATA, R, Python, or Maptitude preferred. Ability to work well with others. Ability to meet aggressive deadlines and handle multiple priorities. Possess strong facilitation skills.
 
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample to carey@edchoice.org.