Research Assistant (Center for Mobility & Measurement)

About WestEd

As a community of over 1,400 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

WestEd supports individual initiative, excellence, and hard work of all individuals in our hiring and work practices. WestEd complies with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws, as well as OFCCP requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, or status as a protected veteran.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

The Opportunity: 

This position will work as part of the Center for Mobility and Measurement (CMM) at WestEd.   Vision: The Center for Mobility and Measurement will strengthen interconnected systems that support learning, development, and opportunity across the lifespan. We’ll use rigorous assessment, evaluation, research, data analytics, and technical assistance to inform the implementation of effective strategies and the development of aligned pathways across educational institutions and related systems to promote safety, well-being, economic mobility, and opportunities for all learners and community members.

Core Focus Areas 

Research Activities 

• Perform literature searches and literature reviews on a variety of education and related systems topics.
• Support research efforts with IRB approvals and data agreements.
• Contribute to data collection protocols.
• Co-lead primary and secondary data collection activities.
• Use a variety of software for qualitative and/or quantitative analyses.
• Manage, clean, analyze, and interpret data.

Administrative Support 

• Take notes, create agendas, and schedule meetings to support research teams.
• Coordinate and contribute to proposal development.
• Create and modify report templates, manage timelines, and communicate deadlines.

Dissemination and Outreach 

• Contribute to and edit research and evaluation reports and proposals.
• Create short papers, infographics, and other materials to convey findings to clients, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
• Assist in preparing presentations for clients and conferences.

What We’re Looking For: 

 To help us make a positive impact on diverse learners, we’ll need someone who has:

• Master’s degree or graduate training in education or an equivalent social science degree.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience managing data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Docs.
• Proficient with developing organizational structures (e.g., file sharing software and structures, timelines and trackers).
• Strong organizational skills/attention to detail and time management.
• Comfortability with fast-paced, quick turnaround projects and timelines.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently.
• Training or coursework in statistical methods.
• Experience with statistical coding (e.g., R, SPSS, Stata, or similar software).
• Experience with survey design and/or analysis.
• Exposure to qualitative data collection and analysis.

Other degrees, skills, abilities, and experiences of interest:

• Knowledge of education, education policy, and/or educational research.
• Experience working with education quantitative or qualitative data.
• Experience with data visualization.
• Ability to travel occasionally (up to 20%) within the United States.
• Experience with data collection and data processing, including procedures for data quality control.
• Experience with report writing.
• Experience presenting to external audiences.
• Applied statistical experience.

This is a remote position that may require occasional travel (up to 20%) within the U.S.

*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

WestEd conducts a criminal background check and education verification for all new hires. Any offers of employment will be contingent on receiving a clear background check in accordance with applicable law.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The full salary range for this position, WestEd level (8), is $71,200 to $111,300, but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $71,200 to $89,000. The actual offer considers multiple factors, including but not limited to education, experience, internal equity, and other organizational needs. 

In addition to the base salary, benefits include:

· 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment and immediately 100% vested

· Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account option

· All health/welfare benefits are effective the first of the month following the hire date

· PTO: 19 days (increases to 21 days beginning the third year of employment), 12 paid holidays

· Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary, max of 500k

· Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives

· Professional development opportunities & mentorship program 

For more details about our benefits, go to: https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/#benefits WestEd is a Drug Free Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. #LI-Remote   #Circa-Remote

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)