Research and Policy Analyst

Period: Full time state government non-merit position

Starting Date: Open until filled, 1st review of submissions November 22, 2011

Compensation: Competitive salary and state benefits

The Council on Postsecondary Education coordinates change and improvement in Kentucky’s postsecondary education system as directed by the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997. The Council is a statewide coordinating agency.

As an integral member of the Council’s new Policy and Planning Unit, the Research and Policy Analyst will work with CPE and institutional staff to measure progress toward strategic goals, conduct applied research and data analysis in support of the Council’s new five-year strategic agenda (Stronger by Degrees), and assist with stewardship of the Council’s data.

• Conduct primary analysis and data mining of student and institutional-level data contained in the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Data System (KPEDS), collaboratively write and produce summaries and reports, and present findings to institutional and state policy audiences;
• Assist the Assistant Vice President for Policy and Planning with KPEDS data stewardship, including the accuracy, completeness, and validity of the data submitted, data quality policies and initiatives, and the maintenance and publication of data submission rules, guidelines, and editing processes.
• Conduct literature reviews and policy scans to identify the most effective and strategically advantageous policies and practices for achieving the Council’s policy objectives, and provide written summaries of findings; 
• Respond to information requests and perform other duties as assigned.

• Masters degree in Higher Education, Educational Research, Public Policy, Statistics, or related discipline with extensive coursework or experience in advanced statistics and research methods.
• One to three years of quantitative research experience;
• One to three years of experience manipulating and managing datasets or databases;
• A mix of strong analytical, research, writing, and communication skills, with an emphasis on quantitative analysis and the interpretation and presentation of quantitative data;
• Strong interpersonal skills and a desire to work as part of a team and to interact with the higher education community;
• The ability to prioritize competing demands in a changing, collaborative environment; and
• Strong follow-through skills and attention to detail, especially under deadline pressures;

• Ph.D. in Higher Education, Educational Research, Public Policy, Statistics or related discipline;
• Experience with institutional research or applied research in higher education, program/policy evaluation, or assessment of targeted interventions;
• Knowledge of and skill in the use of advanced statistical methods and computer modeling techniques and analysis software, especially SAS; or
• Data quality, data auditing or substantial data management experience.

Interested applicants should send a letter of application specifically addressing the responsibilities and qualifications of the position; a curriculum vita or resume; and, the names, titles, and contact information for at least three professional references to:

Rebecca Bowman, Human Resources
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
1024 Capital Center Dr., Ste. 320
Frankfort, KY 40601
Rebecca.Bowman@ky.gov

The Council on Postsecondary Education is an equal opportunity employer.