The Director of Student Affairs Assessment and Data Systems Analyst will have the opportunity to contribute towards advancing the culture of evidence within Student Affairs by mining, manipulating and analyzing institution and student performance data to support professionals in their quest to connect program, department, and activity outcomes with actionable data. Additionally, the Director is responsible for designing, promoting and supporting an environment for evidence-based decision-making within Student Affairs through the coordination of research initiatives and compilation and distribution of assessment reports.
Duties:
30CAPTURE, ANALYZE and REPORT DATA Develop and implement data collection systems and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and data quality. Design and implement strategies to regularly collect, analyze, and report data which resides on the UAA/UA system electronic databases. Develop and maintain databases and data systems necessary for projects and department functions. Acquire and abstract primary or secondary data from existing internal or external data sources. Conduct data quality control audits and information reasonableness checks as necessary to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data and information. Interpret data and develop recommendations based on findings. Perform basic statistical analyses for projects and reports. Provide support for Student Affairs software that uses institutional data. Review software data requirements, write and edit queries to pull the data, and setup automated data transfer between UAA data warehouses and vendor software when appropriate. Systematically monitor key performance indicators and data points and perform objective analysis for Student Affairs decision making, planning, improvement, and accountability. Respond to special requests to extract data from various UA/UAA data systems (Banner Student, Finance, HR, Oracle RPTP, etc.) and various data warehouses to meet time sensitive needs and produce statistical data reports and electronic data displays. Monitor, support and develop automated data report processes including dashboards, websites and automated reports to stakeholders. Design and present findings and reports in visually appealing and easy to understand formats. Develop graphs, reports, and presentations of project results. Generate routine and ad hoc reports and data files.Essential
35ASSESSMENT & DATA PLANNING and CONSULTATION Consistent with all Student Affairs directors, work is performed under general direction and it is expected that this position will lead a division-wide assessment and data strategy. Provide consultation and on-going support to departments on assessment methodologies and research design; disseminate emerging research and assessment information; and maintain assessment findings, summaries, and recommendations on website. Develop appropriate strategic planning and assessment tools and resources; monitor strategic priorities and assessment activities; and collaborate with program staff to develop strategic changes based on results. Represent Student Affairs on university-wide assessment and research related committees and task forces. Contribute to work of other research professionals and faculty to produce complete projects. Supervise Student Affairs Research Data Analyst. Serves a consultant to the Student Affairs Executive Team and the Student Affairs Leadership Team as they conduct self-study reviews, identify and evaluate program and student learning outcomes, develop strategic priorities and plans, evaluate program effectiveness, assess functional outcomes, and allocate resources. Perform special focus research projects as requested (i.e., department, program, and/or activity outcomes effect on student attrition, persistence, and degree completion; impacts of strategies to improve students' transition).Essential
35RESEARCH & ANALYSIS - Promote and support an environment for evidence-based decision-making within Student Affairs through the coordination of research initiatives and compilation of assessment reports. Design and implement program assessment processes and tools for use within Student Affairs departments and develop models for use by other student affairs/research professionals. Conduct targeted program assessments and benchmark studies. Conduct research, assessments, and statistical analysis of results and report on findings to the University community. Maintain accurate database of all research and assessment results. Produce regular reports for oral or written presentation on current assessment efforts, strategic milestones, and data driven events and activities within Student Affairs; communicate summary reports containing accurate information, sound analysis, impacts, implications and possible alternatives in a timely and professional manner; and ensure adherence to quality standards for editing and formatting of documents, reports, and correspondence. Perform special focus research projects and assessments as requested by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and other members of the Student Affairs Executive Team.Essential
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Program planning, assessment and evaluation skills including ability to design clear assessment tools, analyze data, develop conclusions, and write results. Knowledge of general performance and outcome assessment techniques in higher education settings.
Advance computers skills including spreadsheets, word processing, and other office productivity software. Demonstrated working knowledge of statistical analysis software (i.e., SPSS). Strong knowledge of web-based assessment tools, data browsers, and data visualization tools. Technical expertise regarding data modules and database design development, an understanding of SQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and advanced computer knowledge, skills, and abilities using a variety of the most current computer software relevant to the position, such as Banner, TOAD, Excel, Oracle, R, or SAS and the ability to work with relational databases and use computer software for data extraction, verification, and analysis.
Knowledge of various statistical analysis methodologies (i.e., ANOVA, Chi-square, Correlation, Factor Analysis, etc.), levels of measurement, hypothesis testing, error types, confidence intervals, significance levels, etc. Advance knowledge of research methods and analytical procedures.
Ability to successfully lead the assessment and data analysis work of others and proven ability to develop models for use by other Student Affairs professionals.
Advanced knowledge of Student Development Theory, accountability, and standards in Student Affairs is preferred. Knowledge of factors contributing to student success, retention, and completion, and the quantitative and qualitative research procedures that can be used to identify key factors impacting students, including factors having a positive impact as well as factors having a negative impact.
Director-level decision making and problem-solving skills. Well-developed organizational, interpersonal, time management and written and oral communication skills.
Experience conducting research and data analysis related to undergraduate and/or graduate student enrollment in a university or college.
Skilled in managing complex projects and ability to work across disciplines and units and with diverse peoples. Demonstrated experience leading teams or committees.
Ability to learn and integrate new concepts quickly and handle a fast-paced research and assessment environment.
This position values a candidate with post-secondary professional knowledge, skills and abilities to: (1) access and integrate data from multiple large data sets, analyze and interpret complex data sets and make findings relevant for senior managers; (2) evaluate current data collection processes and design, create, and manage relational databases as necessary; analyze, evaluate and update websites for accessibility (WCAG); (3) develop complex projects and manage multifaceted assignments with limited oversight or supervision; (4) solve complex research questions/problems using analytical skills and statistical methods and to combine own work with work of other research professionals and faculty/staff to produce complete projects; (5) edit and create webpages using HTML, CSS, JavaScript and CMS programs such as OUCampus or similar; (6) write and execute multifaceted queries; create reports to communicate findings for internal- and external-reporting; and present complex information in an understandable and compelling manner; (7) ability to take existing data and reports and think outside the box to produce critical data to assist the institution with understanding its student population. Ability to speak with Banner programmers in their language to accomplish University goals. Thorough understanding of underlying database tables and the structure of Banner; and (8) knowledge of factors contributing to student success, retention, and completion, and the quantitative and qualitative research procedures that can be used to identify key factors impacting students, including factors having a positive impact as well as factors having a negative impact.
TYPICAL EXPERIENCE:
Substantial (e.g., four+ years) professional level research and assessment experience with progressing levels of postgraduate responsibility in higher education administration, student personnel, assessment, or research-oriented field - or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
REQUIRED EDUCATION OR TRAINING:
Master's degree in higher education administration, college student development, educational psychology, information management, computing, mathematics, statistics, or leadership; or institutional/organizational research, assessment, evaluation, effectiveness, or planning or years of equivalent experience required. Bachelor's degree with extensive (5+ years) professional experience in assessment and data systems analysis may be considered in lieu of a master's degree.
Qualifying earned degrees must be conferred by institutions of higher education which are accredited by one of the six US regional accrediting associations or by an equivalent international institution of higher education as determined by UAA based on a review by a foreign educational credential evaluation service and recognized by UAA.
Salary Information:
This position is a Full-time, term-funded Grade 80, ($58,698/yr) DOE, 12-month position complete with a competitive salary and UA employee benefits package. UA employees receive excellent benefits including participation in State of Alaska PERS retirement, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. This position is open until filled with the initial application review taking place on November 20, 2020. To ensure your application is considered, apply by 11:55 pm, Alaska Standard Time, 11/20/2020. Applications received after this date may not be considered. A complete application will include a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references.
Term Position:
This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement:
The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.
Affirmative Action Statement:
UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination
Background Check:
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
Probationary Period:
Pursuant to University Regulation 04.07.020, new employees of the University are employed in an at-will probationary status for the first six months of employment. During the probationary period, employment may be terminated for no reason or any reason. Promoted employees also serve a probationary period with limited rights of retreat.
Public Disclosure Statement:
Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
University of Alaska is a Drug-Free Workplace. University of Alaska campuses are Tobacco-Free.
Training Policy:
It is the policy of the University of Alaska (UA) that all employees are required to complete training to meet the requirements of the positions they hold, and to complete the required training within a specified period to remain employed at the UA.
Contact Information:
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact University of Alaska HR at 907-450-8200.
Advertised: 02 Nov 2020 Alaskan Standard Time
Applications close: