Institutional Researcher/Assessment Specialist

POSITION BRIEF

California Indian Nations College (CINC) announces the position of Institutional Researcher/Assessment Specialist. This position has responsibility for the College’s institutional research and assessment efforts, especially those that support student success. Reporting to the Vice President/Chief Operations Officer, this person will help develop institutionally-relevant assessment models that best serve our student population, facilitate data-driven strategic planning and informed decision-making, encourage the use of analytics by all faculty and staff, and satisfy accreditation requirements. Tribal education has often not been well served by current assessment models, therefore we are especially interested in candidates who have innovative ideas about the best practices for building highly effective assessment programs. This position will serve as the official source for all College data, ensuring all reports (federal, state, accreditation, etc.) are completed by their deadlines. This position will also work on matters related to accreditation. This position is remote, but may require visits to campus on special occasions (e.g., accreditation site visits).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Collaborate with students, faculty, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs to develop College assessment practices that meet the institutional needs of our student population
• Serve as internal consultant in the design, access, implementation, analysis and interpretation of studies and assessment of student learning outcomes that contribute toward strengthening the College.
• Assist academic units with information and assessment needs for accreditation visits, program evaluation and in conducting follow-up studies.
• Work closely with other units such as Enrollment Services, Budget, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to support their information and assessment needs.
• Develop mechanisms to ensure that all assessment information is clear, accurate and accessible.
• Develop systems and procedures that ensure key information, both current and historical, is easily accessible.
• Direct or participate in institution-wide assessment of student learning outcomes and institutional research activities.
• Contribute to the college-wide integration of meaningful assessment processes and practices in support of student learning and institutional effectiveness, with a focus on the needs of tribal colleges and students
• Coordinate the administration and utilization of all institution-wide surveys and studies related to institutional assessment
• Serve as the institution’s source for most official statistics and information.
• Establish, administer, and coordinate the college’s institutional research activities including collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting information on the characteristics of the college for use in decision making
• Prepare program review statements for changes in programs.
• Serve as the IPEDS keyholder and manage process to provide data to other government agencies as required by law
• Work with various campus constituents to facilitate usage of institutional data for goal setting, assessment, and strategic planning, with a focus on continual improvement
• Update and produce the annual statistical and assessment report that summarizes pertinent information about courses, programs, and the College
• Monitor the overall integrity of data, complying with state and federal requirements and taking appropriate steps to correct data discrepancies when noted
• Assist in the preparation, follow-up, and reporting for the college’s accreditation agency and in the college’s efforts to secure grants
• Submit regular reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually)
• Maintain files and records, developing organizational structure and ensuring compliance with all federal and state standards
• Plan and provide high-level, complex administrative support and perform technical office duties
• Maintain a positive, upbeat manner; promoting and exemplifying College values and representing college objectives and interests to staff, students, faculty, and potential students
• Ensure compliance with the College’s standards, policies, and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Long-term employment is contingent upon successful completion a 90-day probationary period.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Master’s Degree in a related field required
• Three years of related research and/or analysis experience, working with assessment, data preparation, and reporting in a higher education setting.

Required Technical / Other Skills and Abilities

• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to design, plan, implement and evaluate research projects.
• Familiarity with the structure and best practices of data warehouses.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, presentation, and oral communication skills, delivered in a manner appropriate to the audience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel Experience using statistical programs
• Ability to establish priorities, organize, schedule, and complete tasks independently
• Positive attitude
• An entrepreneurial approach in supporting the growth of the College Innovative in problem solving
• Sensitive to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of tribal and community colleges

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with tribal communities and tribal education
• Familiarity with innovative assessment approaches that serve indigenous students, like those discussed by Wall, Evans, and Swentzell.
• Experience with Populi (SIS) and Watermark Planning & Self Study
• Qualified Native American applicants strongly encouraged to apply