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Policy and Planning Analyst

Employer
University of Wisconsin System Administration
Location
Madison, Wisconsin
Salary
Qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary up to $90,000.
Date posted
Mar 8, 2023

The University of Wisconsin System is one of the largest systems of public higher education in the country and employs more than 40,000 faculty and staff statewide. The UW System’s combined enrollment headcount exceeds 164,000, and the System confers more than 37,000 degrees each year. The UW System is comprised of 13 four-year universities with 13 two-year branch campuses affiliated with seven of the four-year institutions. Two of the universities (UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee) are doctoral degree-granting institutions and 11 are master’s degree-granting comprehensive institutions. The UW System is governed by a single Board of Regents comprised of 18 members. The UW System head is the President of the System. Together, these institutions are a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.

The mission of the Office of Policy Analysis & Research (OPAR) is to inform University of Wisconsin System planning, policy development, evaluation, and decision-making processes, and guide UW System’s strategic direction in contributing to the economic development and higher education goals of the State of Wisconsin. In fulfilling this mission, OPAR’s primary functions are to:

  • provide accurate, timely information and analyses to the Board of Regents, UWSA senior leadership, and UW System institutions.
  • lead systemwide accountability reporting efforts.
  • conduct instructional workload and cost analysis.
  • initiate studies to address emerging national and state issues in higher education.
  • support review and evaluation of UW System policies and academic programs.
  • contribute to the budget planning process.
  • respond to state and federally mandated information requirements and other data requests.
  • adopt best practices in use of technology in institutional research.
  • facilitate collaboration on higher education issues with UW System institutions.

OPAR serves as the office of record and clearinghouse for the UW System Administration (UWSA) on student, curricular, admissions, and financial aid information. As such, OPAR oversees the collection and management of these data from UW System institutions and conducts relevant analysis in these areas. In addition, the office coordinates and analyzes systemwide surveys and benchmarks UW System performance against peer systems and institutions.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Policy and Planning Analyst supports the Office of Policy Analysis and Research’s (OPAR’s) core mission to inform University of Wisconsin System planning, policy development, evaluation and decision-making processes.  The Policy and Planning Analyst performs a wide variety of activities related to institutional research, data management and analysis, leading and/or coordinating selected OPAR projects and processes.

Responsibilities include the following key activities:

  • Lead contributions by OPAR on UW System planning and policy development, review, and evaluation.
  • Develop analyses, process, or products that support planning and decision making in the UW System.
  • Analyze information on students, including curricular and instructional data, in order to identify trends, and to undertake policy analysis and evaluation.
  • Manipulate large data files and secondary data sources to answer analytical questions.
  • Work with other OPAR staff and information technology staff on the design and implementation of computerized support systems.
  • Write reports and develop visual representations of findings to non-expert audience.
  • Respond to ad-hoc requests for information and analysis.
  • Represent UW System and OPAR on internal and external committees, and at state, regional, or national conferences and workshops.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, applicants must have the following qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Two years of related professional experience
  • Strong quantitative and analytical skills
  • Experience and skill in manipulating large databases
  • Knowledge of database query languages and statistical analysis software, such as SAS or SQL
  • Strong writing and oral communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s degree in social science, higher education, or statistics
  • Five years of related professional experience
  • Expansive knowledge of higher education issues
  • Expertise in statistics and research methodologies

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This position is a full-time, salaried (exempt) Academic Staff position. Qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary up to $90,000, commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications. UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

SPECIAL NOTES

The UW System conducts criminal background checks for final candidate(s). It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

WORK LOCATION

The office location is at 1220 Linden Drive (Van Hise Hall), Madison, WI.  This position has the potential to be performed in a hybrid work schedule. Specifics regarding work location requirements will be discussed during the interview process.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through Sunday, April 2, 2023. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

  1. Go to the UWSA Applicant Portal to submit your materials online.
  2. Select the appropriate applicant portal, either External Applicants or Internal Applicants
  3. Locate the position you want to apply for and click on the position title.
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions and be sure to include your salary expectations when asked in our applicant tracking In addition, please be sure to upload ALL THREE of the required documents:  resume, cover letter, and references as PDF files. Failing to include any of these documents may disqualify your application.
    1. Your cover letter MUST specifically address how your education and experience relate to the position and qualifications. Be sure to emphasize the areas outlined under “Minimum ”
    2. Your reference page should include the names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers for three professional references with at least one being from a current or previous supervisor
  5. Include a statement of whether you wish to have your application held in confidence or made available to the public upon request. Please note that in the absence of any statement regarding confidentiality, we will assume you do not wish to have your application held in confidence. The UW System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
  • Submit your application

The University of Wisconsin System Administration is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, minorities, and person with disabilities.

Questions may be addressed to: Shelby Buchanan, HR Business Partner; UW System Human Resources; at Shelby.Buchanan@uwex.wisconsin.edu

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