The following documents are required:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Equivalency Statement

Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

Anticipated Effective Date: February 2025

Priority will be given to applications received prior to February 24, 2025

Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

Candidates may be subject to employment screening to include both a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) request and a Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI).

Candidates for employment should be aware that although the COVID 19 Vaccination Requirement Policy is no longer in effect, all Community College students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to be up to date with vaccination against COVID-19. For additional information related to the status of the COVID19 Vaccination Requirement Policy, please visit: https://mwcc.edu/covid/

General Statement of Duties:

Reporting to the Associate Director of Analytics, Reporting and Research, the Research Analyst will support the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE) core activity of collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting institutional information to support evidence-based decision-making across the College. This Research Analyst will extract, analyze, visualize, and describe a variety of institutional data used for decision-making, assessment, program improvement, grant applications and reporting, reporting to state and federal agencies, and accreditors. Activities will include developing clear project objectives and research questions, working with personnel across the College to collect and refine data, organizing and automating procedures for ongoing data management, producing descriptive analyses in graphical, written and numeric format.

Responds to internal requests for data and provides consultative expertise to define, translate, integrate, store and process data that can be used in key performance indicators, compliance indicators, and for academic and administrative business analysis. With demonstrated competency in social equity and inclusion, ability to build effective working relationships throughout the college, and ability to thrive in a diverse and inclusive environment is key.

Responsibilities:

• Collect, interpret and report on student data. Generate enrollment statistics each semester.
• Design, maintain and update all OIE data tables to facilitate the reporting and business intelligence needs of the office, including mandatory compliance reporting and government reporting requirements. This includes working with existing queries and programs used to generate custom tables to support access to high-quality, timely, relevant institutional data for planning and decision making.
• Performs a variety of internal and external reporting; including but not limited to the completion of required reports to state and federal agencies such as IPEDS, MA DHE, NECHE, US ED and HEOA compliance. Coordinate and submit responses to guidebooks and other external reporting.
• Perform regular audits on the OIE managed tables to maintain data integrity. Document data collection procedures, analyzes procedures and recommend changes to supervisors and/or administrators.
• Provide accurate and timely data and statistics to college administrative and academic departments and external audiences. Provide meaningful analysis to present data and provide insights in an accessible and digestible format.
• Create reports, visualizations, dashboards, and metrics that provide insights and aid decision-making. Uses querying languages like SQL, scripting languages like R or Python, and other tools like Tableau or Excel to produce reports and perform meaningful quantitative or qualitative analyses addressing impactful business issues or questions.
• Plan and execute analytical research and evaluation projects. Prepare interpretive analyses and present findings clearly and concisely in both narrative and graphic formats. Disaggregate results for continuous improvement and present them to stakeholders.
• Supports an expanding data culture through collaboration with team members to optimize process flows and research initiatives.
• Provide assistance in collecting, analyzing, and summarizing program and general education assessment data.
• Monitors the submission of required student learning outcome assessment data points, forms, and reports. 
• Stays current and willing to learn new technology systems and analytical skills. Stay current on all reporting requirements.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in social science, educational research, computer science, business analytics, public administration, statistics, or if the degree is in another quantitatively oriented discipline.

Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience, preferably in an academic or research environment with assigned responsibilities in the areas of research, data management, state/federal compliance reporting, and/or data science.

Basic knowledge of computer database systems.

Experience with managing and retrieving information from large relational databases; experience with SQL, querying, processing,

Graduate work in a field that contributes to designing and conducting valid research studies is desirable and may substitute for two years of experience.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Advanced computer skills including MS Excel including advanced features (e.g., pivot tables, formulas, graphics), as well as MS Access, Word and PowerPoint.

Experience in the collection, management, analysis, and summarization of data and knowledge of basic descriptive statistics.

Manipulating, analyzing, and reporting on large data sets.

Demonstrated experience selecting appropriate research designs, collecting and analyzing data, conducting statistical analyses, preparing narrative reports and presenting results to various stakeholders.

Strong organizational skills, diligent concern for accuracy and attention to detail, ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines, prioritize and follow through on projects, and adapt to changing situations, priorities, and procedures.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to present data clearly, convey findings effectively, and influence a variety of audiences.

Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and knowledge about diversity, equity, and inclusion and embrace opportunities for continued growth in cultural competence.

Customer-service orientation; collaborative interpersonal skills; ability to get along with widely diverse personalities.

Demonstrated ability to work both independently, within general direction and guidelines, and work collaboratively with others.

Maintains complete confidentiality in handling sensitive data, ensuring information released from office meets FERPA compliance and other regulations or policies related to personally identifiable information.

Desired Qualifications:

Master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in educational research, computer science, business analytics, public administration, social science, statistics, or other quantitatively oriented discipline.

2+ years of relevant work experience. Knowledge of the issues of higher education and university administration is preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge of inferential statistical techniques (e.g., t-tests, chi-square, regression analysis), research methodology, sampling and research design, data analysis, interpretation of results, and presentation of results through various methods and tools. Knowledge of predictive modeling.

Experience working with student information systems. Experience with Ellucian products, specifically Banner, preferred.

Proficiency in using SPSS (or similar) syntax., R, or other statistical programs.

Experience with data visualization tools, such as, Tableau, Power BI, etc.

Experience with survey development and survey design platforms.

Familiarity with methods and practices in student learning outcomes assessment.

Since 1963, Mount Wachusett Community College has built a tradition of providing innovative undergraduate education, workforce development, personal enrichment, and community service to North Central Massachusetts and beyond. MWCC is located in Gardner, MA, with satellite campuses in Fitchburg, Leominster and Devens. An award-winning, national leader in the area of renewable energy, MWCC is also nationally recognized for its veterans' services, civic engagement and K-12 partnerships. We hope you will consider applying for one of our open positions, and discover all that Mount Wachusett Community College and the North Central Massachusetts region have to offer.

Our full-time faculty and staff enjoy a liberal benefits package, including generous retirement plans, multiple health insurance options, dental care, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a dedicated employee assistance program.