Research & Evaluation Manager, Grow Your Own Program UT System Office of Academic Affairs and Student Success (2-yr Grant-Funded Position)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Full-time
Education
Posted on October 7, 2022
Research & Evaluation Manager, Grow Your Own Program
UT System Office of Academic Affairs and Student Success (2-yr Grant-Funded Position)
Market Range 13
About the UT System
The University of Tennessee is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin, and Pulaski; the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Space Institute at Tullahoma; and the statewide Institute of Agriculture and Institute for Public Service.
The UT System has a presence in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties. Through the combined force of education, research and outreach, the University serves students, business and industry, schools, governments, organizations, and citizens statewide.
The University of Tennessee System, through its multiple campuses and institutes, serves the people of Tennessee and beyond through the discovery, communication, and application of knowledge. The System is committed to providing undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs in a diverse learning environment that prepares students to be leaders in a global society. The UT System’s delivery of education, discovery, outreach, and public service contributes to the economic, social, and environmental well-being of all Tennesseans.
The Opportunity
The University of Tennessee (UT) System seeks a highly qualified researcher/data analyst/program evaluator to serve as the Research and Evaluation Manager for the state’s Grow Your Own (GYO) Teacher Apprenticeship Initiative. The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) recently selected the UT System as its lead teacher apprenticeship program partner. Tennessee is the first state in the nation approved by the U.S. Department of Labor to create permanent teaching apprenticeship programs. TDOE has awarded the University of Tennessee a $20M grant to serve as the nation’s model and selected UT for its leading educator preparation programs, presence in all 95 counties, culture of innovation, and commitment to helping the state address grand challenges. The UT System has four undergraduate institutions (UT Knoxville, UT Chattanooga, UT Martin, and UT Southern) that offer Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) across Tennessee’s three grand divisions, East, Middle, and West, as well as in urban and rural communities. The Research and Evaluation Manager will report directly to the Executive Director of the GYO Center in consultation with the Senior Director of the Grow Your Own initiative.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced researcher who is familiar with both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, data visualization, and programmatic evaluation. Experience in K-12 education is a plus, as is a passion for improving public education in Tennessee. The research and evaluation manager will fill a complex role that requires familiarity with mixed-methods research, advanced technical knowledge, and the ability to interface comfortably with a variety of key stakeholder groups. Applicants are encouraged to review all position requirements before applying. Salary is based on a combination of professional experience and qualifications at Market Range 13. The position is grant funded for approximately for two years with the possibility of extension depending on available funding and job performance during the appointment period. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates must submit their application online and attach a separate resume, cover letter, and contact information for at least three professional references.
Position responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Program Evaluation and Reporting: Under direction of the GYO Center's executive director, the research and evaluation manager will:
- design and execute a variety of mixed-methodologies to assess the effectiveness of the GYO initiative;
- comply with all reporting requirements on a variety of project components, helping to ensure the project remains on schedule;
- regularly review metrics and feedback to evaluate the project’s progress and success;
- develop and maintain effective relationships with Local Education Agencies (LEAs), TDOE, UT System leadership, statewide EPPs, state and national partners, and other individuals and groups who will play a role in the evaluation of the program;
- provide summary reports and specific analyses upon request to system- and campus-level program leadership;
- ensure the accuracy and quality of all data and analyses;
- develop and carry out transparent research and evaluation procedures as needed to ensure timely and accurate review of the program;
- compile data visualizations that can tell a story using the collected data; and
- complete a final program evaluation document in collaboration with the executive director.
- developing protocols, survey and/or interview questions;
- obtaining necessary approvals from the Institutional Review Board;
- ensuring strict adherence to policies and guidelines on conducting ethical research, including obtaining appropriate certifications for conducting research with human subjects; and
- leading or assisting in efforts to publish and present key research findings at state, regional, or national levels.
- organizing regular virtual meetings to discuss data collection and analysis by region;
- standardizing, collecting, aggregating, and reporting on regional program data; and
- fulfilling data requests and fielding data-related queries from regional program managers.
The Research & Evaluation Manager of the Tennessee Grow Your Own Program will support a culture of engagement and belonging by treating others with dignity and respect at all times, and by exhibiting conduct that reflects a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The successful candidate is expected to contribute in measurable ways to the systemwide mission and fully embrace the systemwide Be One UT Values.
Qualifications :
Key Areas of Responsibility
Required Education & Qualifications:
The successful candidate will possess a master’s and at least 5 years' experience in research/evaluation/data analyst related work. Preference given for master's degree in Education, psychology, program evaluation, statistics, mathematics, or related field.
Successful candidate must demonstrate advanced knowledge of research and evaluation methodologies and be knowledgeable about the Grow Your Own initiative. Must possess advanced skills in conducting mixed-methods research (e.g. qualitative and quantitative approaches) and using various research tools (e.g., SPSS, SASS, R, ATLAS.ti, Nvivo, Qualtrics, etc.. The successful candidate will be highly knowledgeable about research protocols and procedures (obtaining IRB approval and informed consent, for example), and have the ability to engage comfortably with diverse and dispersed colleagues and numerous stakeholder groups. Must demonstrate experience building successful partnerships and leading collaborative efforts. Must be skilled at using a variety of online collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, SharePoint, Teams) and possess strong skills in written communication, listening, and public speaking.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree is preferred
- Seven years of experience with increasing levels of responsibility in the field of education, program evaluation, research, or data analytics at the federal, state, or local level, higher education, or related field
- Familiarity with grant-funded initiatives and operations
Application Process
For full consideration applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, resume and three references. Review of applications will begin immediately.
The position is grant-funded for two years with the possibility of extension depending on available funding and job performance during the appointment period. Compensation for the position will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience withing the market range.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits and much more. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax. For more information on the University of Tennessee’s benefits, visit https://hr.tennessee.edu/benefits/