Institutional Research & Data Quality Manager

Salary: $53,310.72 - $70,677.24 commensurate with education and experience

Job Code: EDP042 (Research Analyst 3)

Pay Grade: M

Location: Headquarters-based -Atlanta, GA - This position will require the incumbent to work from DECAL's main office a minimum of two days per week.

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia's children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia's Pre-K Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) subsidy program and federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia's child care quality rating and improvement system. The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.

 

Job Description

The Institutional Research & Data Quality Manager, housed within DECAL's Quality Innovations and Partnerships division, will serve a leading role on DECAL's Institutional Research & Data Quality team. The position reports to the Institutional Research Director and supervises two research analysts. The Institutional Research team conducts internal research studies and data analyses and disseminates results to inform policy and support DECAL divisions in using data and research to identify evidence-based solutions. This team is an internal research resource for all divisions and program areas within DECAL that is responsible for ensuring that agency administrative data, housed in internal and external databases, is appropriately analyzed and interpreted. The Institutional Research Manage will work with DECAL and division leadership, DECAL IT, and external research partners to provide data expertise, advanced analytics, and data visualization support as well as and design, conduct, and communicate research and evaluation activities.

 

Applicants should have experience in a variety of research activities, such as data management, report writing, survey construction, quantitative and qualitative analyses, and presenting and reporting findings in innovative ways to various audiences. They should also demonstrate proven ability to successfully collaborate with other researchers, early education program experts, and organization leadership. Applicants should demonstrate strong data management and analysis skills and the ability to maintain awareness of current early care and education (ECE) research. Problem solving, flexibility, critical thinking, attention to detail, readiness to learn, and initiative are crucial attributes.

 

Job Responsibilities

The Institutional Research Manager will:

         Supervise two research analysts. This includes:

o   Allocating analysts' time to ensure completion of Institutional Research team responsibilities.

o   Coaching staff in analytic skills and identifying areas for further training.

o   Building a positive team culture and instilling exemplary customer service as a foundational value.

         Manage processes to develop, maintain, and monitor DECAL's research agenda, including defining specific research goals that align with DECAL's Strategic Plan. This includes:

o   Developing individual project plans that include research scope, methodologies, timelines, expected outcomes, and plans for disseminating and communicating findings.

o   Adapting and revising the research agenda to incorporate new projects and priorities.

o   Working with the Research Partnerships and Business Supports Director and team in managing the research agenda.

         Support the use of quality research and data to inform policy and program innovation. This includes:

• Fostering cross-division collaboration with appropriate data analyses, policy development, and other needed research supports.

o   Collaborating with DECAL leaders to translate research results into actionable policy recommendations.

o   Ensuring that DECAL research appropriately disaggregates and analyzes data to support ensuring that DECAL programs are best meeting the needs of all the populations they serve.

         Manage internal data analyses and research studies. This includes.

o   Analyzing administrative data related to DECAL programs and initiatives to help identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and inform policy development.

o   Working with the Research Partnerships and Business Supports team to collect needed program evaluation data. Examples include conducting surveys and focus groups.

o   Supporting DECAL programs in creating and managing appropriate performance measures.

o   Building routines to update key metrics and ensure that they are available to DECAL staff through dashboards, reports, or other methods.

         Disseminate research results and findings for multiple audiences in a timely manner. This includes:

o   Communicating research findings and presenting data in a clear and accessible manner.

o   Participating in development of an ongoing reporting structure to support DECAL leaders in monitoring and communicating trends.

o   Publishing, for internal and external audiences, formal research and data analysis findings.

o   Using data and research findings to tell a story.

         Collaborate with DECAL IT to ensure data systems serve research purposes. This includes:

o   Understanding different DECAL IT data systems and connecting data across systems for research purposes.

o   Ensuring that data is as accurate and reliable as possible and working closely with internal partners to strengthen Data Quality.

o   Creating codebooks and other materials that clearly explain data being used for research purposes.

o   Working with IT during new systems development to ensure that the data generated will be appropriate for research and data reporting,

         Manage a process for research requests. This includes:

o   Managing requests that deal with DECAL research and data.

o   Serving as a DECAL data expert for organizations that have received data for research purposes.

         Stay informed with current research trends and new innovations. This includes:

o   Staying updated on new ECE research and ECE policy trends.

o   Monitoring other ECE research for new research methodologies or criticisms of current methodologies.

 

Technical Competencies

         Expertise in using Microsoft Excel to manage and analyze data

         Proficiency in using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

         Excellent oral and written communication skills

         Excellent organizational skills

         Experience in data visualization and use of data visualization tools, such as Tableau or Power BI

         Experience retrieving, manipulating, and analyzing large datasets (e.g., U.S. Census, administrative data sources)

         Experience reporting data to non-technical audiences

         Experience working with diverse communities and sensitivity to needs and concerns of various participants

 

Entry Qualifications

         Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and Two years of related experience; or Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and Four years of related experience

 

Preferred Qualifications

         Experience in program evaluation

         Familiarity with issues in early childhood education or other policy areas

         Supervisory experience

         Background in quantitative research methodology and statistics

         Data analysis experience creating Salesforce reports and dashboards (Salesforce Administrator certification is desirable) or using SQL or statistical packages (e.g., R, SPSS, STATA)

 

Physical Requirements Necessary to Perform Job Duties

         Extended periods of sitting, standing, and occasional walking

         Ability to speak and hear clearly to receive and present detailed information through verbal communication

         Close visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and visual inspection

         Ability to type and perform data entry on state-issued computer equipment

 

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is a family-friendly employer offering flexible work schedules (at supervisory discretion) and a comprehensive compensation package that includes retirement, 401K match, and elective options for health, life, dental, and vision insurance. Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is an equal opportunity employer. A background check will be completed upon hire, which may consist of any of the following: criminal history, credit history, employment history, educational records, IRS records, and driving records.

 

"If you are an individual with a disability who may require assistance or other reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the selection process for this position, you may contact our HR department at 404-656-3922. Due to the volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application or interview status cannot be provided in writing, over the phone, or in person. Only qualified candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified when this vacancy is filled. All applicants who submit a complete application package will be considered but may not necessarily receive notification or an interview. The job posting may be closed at any time without notice.