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Senior Research Scientist

Rio Hondo College

Job Description

Job Number

CLA00484P

Position Title

Senior Research Scientist

Position Type

Classified Full Time

Percentage Employee

100 %

Number of Months Assignment

12

Starting Date

As soon as possible

Current Work Schedule

Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Days and hours of employment may change depending on District needs.

Salary Range

Range 53

Salary

$9,594.31 – $12,242.07 monthly – Successful candidate will start at step 1 except in cases where District deems appropriate.

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Location

Main Campus

Department

Institutional Effectiveness

Open Date

08/20/2024

Closing Date

09/23/2024

About Rio Hondo College

About Río Hondo College

Río Hondo College welcomes and embraces all students in their educational and career pathways. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), our College has a student population of 22,000, of which 18,000 are Latinx students. We were the first college in Los Angeles County to provide two years of free tuition to first-time, full-time college students through our Río Promise program. We are proud to acknowledge that many of our students have transferred to high ranked institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, USC and UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach, and Whittier College to name a few.

Strengths

Our caring and dedicated student-centered staff, faculty, and administrators are devoted to the advancement of educational justice, equity, and opportunity for all our students. Our College’s 900 employees, with close to 600 faculty, hold themselves accountable for the academic success of disproportionately impacted student populations. Our entire staff, with unwavering team collaboration, work hard to ensure our students reach their full potential by eliminating gaps in academic outcomes that traditionally hinder students of color.

Río Hondo College is committed to the recruitment of qualified and diverse employees who are dedicated to our students’ success. We recognize that diversity in an academic environment fosters cultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for our students. We are steadfast in our hiring practices and staff development processes which reinforce the goals of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion. Our practices and processes also support the importance of a workforce that reflects the community and the diverse student population we serve.

Río Hondo College employs approximately 55% tenured track faculty of color; 60% part-time faculty of color; 85% classified staff of color; and 50% administrators of color.

Río Hondo College offers 30 associate degrees that guarantee transfer (ADTs) to Cal State Universities, a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Technology, more than 60 certificates, a Pathway to Law School, dual enrollment with K-12 districts, state championship speech & debate team, top-notch athletic teams, student leadership opportunities, travel abroad experiences and more.

In collaboration with the communities in Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, El Monte, South El Monte, Whittier, portions of Norwalk, La Mirada, Downey, La Puente, the City of Industry, Los Nietos and Avocado Heights, Río Hondo College provides an exceptional academic curriculum to meet the unique needs of our region and strengthen our communities.

Basic Function

Under the general direction of an administrator or manager, designs and conducts program evaluations and institutional research projects of considerable scope and complexity; establishes and maintains research procedures meeting the needs of the college consistent with professional standards; organizes and oversees the implementation of research, and data management; collaborates with Information Technology Services (IS) to support the expansion and maintenance of research data warehouse activities; provides expertise in data sources and quality.

Representative Duties

1. Independently leads, plans, designs, coordinates, implements, and disseminates complex research and evaluation studies in support of District’s decision making, institutional planning, outcomes assessment, continuous quality improvement, and other activities of institutional effectiveness. E

2. Designs, develops, and maintains data visualizations; conducts advanced quantitative/qualitative analysis and reporting of data to support ongoing improvement, decision-making, annual planning, and external reporting. E

3. Leads, plans, designs, implements, maintains, and trains the work of staff on data warehouse and data visualizations to support the district’s decision-making, institutional planning, and other activities of institutional effectiveness. E

4. Identifies, develops, and implements effective and sound survey instruments and other data collection instruments for both required and investigative data trends analysis; evaluates and recommends appropriate sampling methods and techniques; participates in the collection and processing of data; assists college and District staff in accessing student data and performing data analysis. E

5. Provides technical support, assistance, and training to faculty, staff, administrators, and others concerning data visualization tools, institutional effectiveness, and related data. E

6. Develops, implements, and documents procedures and policies on data collection, management, analysis, and reporting; prepares end user documentation related to data warehouse and data visualizations. E

7. Assists administration in evaluating and responding to requests for data, statistical analysis, surveys, or research support from internal and external District resources; works independently with requestors to clarify research needs and optimizes the utility of research results; makes team project recommendations to administration, as appropriate. E

8. Communicates and disseminates complex research methodology and results in various formats including but not limited to written and oral reports and presentations. E

9. Disseminates information to the college community about research activities, results, and implications; assists college staff in the effective use of Institutional Effectiveness resources and information. E

10. Supports the need, outcome, and evaluation aspects of grant development; designs and writes outcomes and evaluation sections of grant proposals and reports, as applicable. E

11. Conducts and attends workshops, training sessions, and committee meetings as required; may represent management or department as directed. E

12. Performs a variety of clerical and administrative responsibilities in support of the department’s day-to-day activities and/or operations utilizing a variety of communication modalities including but not limited to answers and responds to phone calls, emails, text messages, and chat platforms; opens, screens, and distributes mail and correspondence; photocopies documents and requests duplication services; ensures maintenance and repairs of assigned work areas, facilities, or equipment; enters various requests for services from IT, Facilities, and Maintenance; contacts vendors for equipment service, when needed; follows-up with vendors to ensure satisfactory completion of requests; may perform simple repairs or maintenance to standard office equipment. E

13. Performs related duties that support the overall objective of the position.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires us to identify the essential (E) duties/functions of the position. We have indicated those duties with an E on the job description.

Knowledge and Abilities

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• District and college policies, procedures, rules, and regulations related to the area of assignment.
• California Education Code and Title V as it relates to the area of assignment.
• Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations and District policies and practices pertinent to the area of responsibility.
• Best practices and procedures on use of various office equipment.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Effective communication techniques and interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Professionally accepted principles and practices applicable to research design, methodology development, data analysis and interpretation, and reporting.
• Methods of quantitative and qualitative research, including data extraction, analysis, reduction, visual display, and reporting techniques.
• Advanced research design and statistical analysis methods and procedures as well as data reduction and display techniques and their application to research projects, program evaluation, survey research, statistical inference, and significance.
• Data reduction and display techniques to present ideas and processes clearly to convey technical concepts and results to college stakeholders and leadership.
• Principles and practices of survey development, design, and dissemination, including use of online survey research platforms.
• Models and procedures for program evaluation.
• Advanced skills in data analysis, queries, and visualization techniques and tools including statistical software such as SPSS, Microsoft Excel, Tableau, online survey research platforms, and online planning and outcomes Advanced project management, data management, and reporting skills.
• Principles and practices of statistical and administrative report preparation.
• Principles and practices of lead responsibilities, training, and providing work guidance.
• Techniques for project planning, design, and management.
• Issues and current trends in higher education, particularly as they apply to California community colleges.
• Record-keeping, filing, file sharing, and filing system methods and techniques.
• Effective communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• California community college initiatives (e.g., AB705, Guided Pathways, Student Equity, Student Success and Support Program(s), and Student Success Metrics).
• Computer software programs, applications, databases, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems; computer hardware and peripheral equipment related to the area of the assignment.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).


ABILITY TO:
• Independently perform the essential responsibilities of the position.
• Analyze requirements, recommend research design, and analytical strategies; and execute complex quantitative/qualitative analyses appropriate to research projects and program evaluation activities and tasks.
• Identify, evaluate, and solve complex research design and analysis problems.
• Write reports related to research projects and program evaluations that demonstrate the ability to appropriately analyze quantitative/qualitative data and develop sound, logical conclusions, and recommendations.
• Interface with data warehouse and produce dashboards and data visualizations.
• Query and manage databases.
• Develop, implement, and complete comprehensive research projects and program evaluations within specific deadlines.
• Exercise creativity, leadership, and critical judgment in dealing with complex research issues for which there are limited precedents.
• Train and provide work support to others.
• Communicate complex research methods and results in written, tabular, graphic, and oral formats.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize workload to meet schedules and timelines.
• Understand and follow verbal and written directions.
• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Independently plan, organize, and prioritize workload to meet schedules and timelines.
• Use personal computers; and network, online, and cloud-based software platforms.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues and situations.
• Maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive and privileged material and information.
• Interpret and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to the District’s programs and functions.
• Utilize computer software programs, applications, and databases; computer hardware and peripheral equipment related to the area of assignment.
• Communicate with students, staff, and the public in person and via a variety of communication modalities using various technology resources.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.
• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those encountered during the course of work.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in statistics, research, or related discipline; AND
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in advanced statistics and applied research settings;
• Experience in institutional research within a higher or public education environment.
• Or, any combination of education and experience which would provide the required qualifications for the position.
OR
• Master’s Degree in statistics, research, or related discipline; AND
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in applied research settings;
• Experience in institutional research within a higher or public education environment.
• Or, any combination of education and experience which would provide the required qualifications for the position.

Foreign Degrees

Any degree from a country other than the United States, including Canada and Great Britain, must be evaluated by an Evaluation Service prior to the closing date. Certification must be attached with copies of transcripts.

License Certificates/Credentials

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver license.

Desired Qualifications

• Earned doctorate

Distinguishable Characteristics

The Senior Research Scientist designs, conducts, writes, and presents results of program evaluations and institutional research studies and leads data visualization activities. In addition to those activities, this position serves in a lead capacity, coordinates work, and provides technical research guidance to other institutional research personnel, and actively participates in the office’s most complex research projects.

Working Conditions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods of time; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel, operate personal computers and other standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, use of both eyes, ability to distinguish basic shades and colors and the ability to adjust focus.
Employees are frequently required to walk and stand and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.

MENTAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this class, incumbents are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data; use math and mathematical reasoning; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information and skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; and interact with District, students, vendors and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom are dissatisfied or abusive.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees work under typical office conditions, with constant interruptions, and the noise level may vary depending on the activities of the office.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires us to identify the essential duties/functions of the position. We have indicated those duties with an E on the job description.

Position Description

Applications are currently being accepted for the Senior Research Scientist position. This is a Full-Time 100%, 12 month position. Hours are Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. or 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PT on the closing date.

Applicants must submit a complete online application that includes the items listed.
  • Rio Hondo College online application (which includes supplemental questions)
  • Résumé/Curriculum Vitae
  • Complete transcripts of all college/university studies, including degree earned (copies will be accepted). NOTE: Transcripts from multiple colleges/universities may need to be scanned as one document, then uploaded.

PAPER APPLICATIONS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS SENT VIA MAIL, FAX, OR EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

NOTE THAT ALL CORRESPONDENCE, INCLUDING INTERVIEW INVITATIONS, WILL BE SENT VIA EMAIL.

Additional Information

  • The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires the District obtain documentation from every individual who is employed which verifies identity and authorizes his/her right to work in the United States.
  • Successful candidate is responsible for verifying all prior work experience and providing all academic transcripts for purposes of salary placement.
  • As a condition of employment, the selected applicant must provide a set of fingerprints (at the applicant’s expense) taken by an official LiveScan agency.
  • Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial employment (The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment).
  • For positions requiring a valid California driver’s license, proof of insurability is required.
  • All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications may be required to take a test and will be notified of the date and time.
  • Applicants who are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and require accommodations for completing the application process, testing (if required for position), or the interview, please notify the Human Resources Office.
  • A copy of this announcement will be provided in Braille to visually impaired applicants upon request.

Commitment to Diversity

All applicants must have demonstrated cultural competency and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff.

Cancel RTF Policy

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO RE-OPEN, RE-ADVERTISE, DELAY OR CANCEL FILLING THIS POSITION.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL FUTURE VACANCIES.

EEO Statement

Rio Hondo College is committed to employing qualified administrators, faculty and staff members who are dedicated to student success. The Board recognizes that diversity in the academic environment fosters cultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for all students. The Board is committed to hiring and staff development processes that support the goals of equal opportunity and diversity, and provide equal consideration for all qualified candidates.

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