The Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) seeks a Research Professional 6 to lead evaluation projects across a variety of contexts, with a primary focus on education and community settings but also extending to other areas. These projects serve non-profits, schools, higher education institutions, government agencies, industry partners, and faculty initiatives, while supporting the University's and CAREI's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Evaluator will design and implement evaluations using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches for both short- and long-term projects. Responsibilities include identifying, pursuing, and writing competitive grant proposals and evaluation partnerships that align with CAREI's expertise and strategic priorities; creating evaluation plans, logic models, and theories of change; tailoring data collection instruments; and independently managing and leading evaluation projects from design through reporting. This includes analyzing large, complex, mixed data sets; producing reports and presentations; coordinating staff and consultants; and maintaining communications, timelines, and budgets. The Evaluator will also collaborate with clients to build evaluation capacity.

The Evaluator's work will require designing and applying a range of evaluation frameworks and approaches-process, implementation, developmental, and outcome-focused-in response to partner needs, with a commitment to rigorous evaluation that strives for objectivity.

The ideal candidate will have several years of professional experience leading program and organizational evaluations across a range of contexts, with experience evaluating education initiatives (e.g., PreK-12, higher education, or community-based programs) and experience or ability to apply evaluation expertise to projects in other sectors. Candidates should be detail-oriented, highly organized, and skilled in time management, grant seeking, competitive proposal development, and strategic identification of funding opportunities where CAREI's evaluation expertise would be competitive. They must be able to independently lead evaluation projects from design through reporting, make project-level decisions, and manage assigned project work. The position reports to the Associate Director of Effective Practices and Evaluation.

Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience skills, and internal equity within the department.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Job Responsibilities:

Evaluation Implementation and Analysis (45%)

• Organize and Analyze Data: Organize, code, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources-such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations-to meet the evaluation's requirements and identify patterns, themes, and actionable findings.
• Perform Quantitative Data Analysis: Apply core and advanced statistical methods-including descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, MANOVA, and regression-to accurately analyze quantitative data. Use statistical software such as SPSS or R (preferred) to manage and interpret complex datasets, ensuring valid, reliable, and insightful evaluation results.
• Perform Qualitative Data Analysis: Conduct rigorous qualitative analyses to extract meaningful insights from interviews, focus groups, observations, and documents. Apply coding to organize data and use thematic and content analysis to identify patterns, trends, and key findings. Integrate these analyses within case study or program evaluation designs to produce valid, reliable, and actionable results that inform decision-making.
• Summarize and Communicate Findings for Diverse Audiences: Summarize detailed literature reviews, evaluation plans, logic models, and findings from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches through written reports, executive summaries, and oral and visual presentations. Ensure that all communication of results is accurate, clear, and meaningful, and carefully tailored to the varied expertise and needs of diverse client audiences.

Project Management and Coordination (25%)

• Serve as Project Lead: Manage evaluation projects as assigned, coordinating with team members-including graduate students, Research Coordinators, and consultants-to ensure effective collaboration, timely progress, and high-quality design, implementation, and reporting.
• Monitor Project Implementation: Establish research and evaluation plans and track according to established timelines, using CAREI's team-based project management tool to ensure high-quality products and deliverables.
• Manage Client Communication: Serve as a primary point of contact for client communication, facilitating clear, consistent, and efficient documentation and information exchange.
• Address Project Challenges: Proactively address project challenges while providing support and guidance to ensure continuous progress and success of evaluations.

Proposal Development and Evaluation Design (20%)

• Design Comprehensive Evaluation Proposals: Co-develop and write comprehensive evaluation proposals, including responses to RFPs and grant applications, for projects and clients-ensuring alignment with their needs and accurate budgeting of necessary tasks, time, and resources.
• Identify and Pursue Strategic Funding Opportunities: Proactively identify and assess potential grant opportunities and evaluation partnerships that align with CAREI's expertise, competitiveness, and strategic priorities, and lead or contribute to the development of competitive proposals.
• Integrate Equity as a Guiding Principle: Integrate principles of equity and inclusion into evaluation practices, prioritizing the voices of those most impacted by the evaluation process. Actively seek diverse perspectives to inform decision-making and address disparities in evaluation.
• Create Evaluation Plans for Diverse Organizations: Design evaluation plans, including questions, data collection and analysis methods, timelines and milestones, tailored to meet the unique needs of school districts, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and other community organizations.
• Develop Theories of Change and Logic Models: Co-develop theories of change and logic models for clients and use them to guide evaluation design and implementation.
• Develop Data Collection Instruments: Develop comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments, such as interview and focus group protocols, surveys, rating scales, and observation protocols, tailored to address the specific research/evaluation questions defined in the project.
• Conduct Literature Reviews and Integrate Findings: Perform systematic literature reviews (e.g., Covidence) and consolidate findings from multiple data sources in coherent ways to effectively inform evaluation processes.

Quality Assurance and Capacity Building (10%)

• Maintain Quality Assurance: Establish clear criteria for evaluation processes, develop procedures and protocols for data collection, analysis, and reporting, and implement rigorous documentation and quality-check processes to ensure accuracy, reliability, and validity of data/findings.
• Build Evaluation Capacity: Enhance individuals' and organizations' abilities to conduct effective evaluations through training and support.
• Uphold Ethical Practices: Work with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and adhere to ethical guidelines throughout the evaluation process, including obtaining IRB approval and implementing measures to protect participant rights and confidentiality.

Qualifications

Required:

• Advanced degree in evaluation (preferred), education, social sciences, or a related field, with demonstrated training and experience in research/evaluation design, implementation, and analysis, and a record of producing and communicating findings - including reports, briefs, publications - in response to partner or community need.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience leading program or policy evaluations, including responsibility for evaluation design, implementation, analysis, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading and conducting evaluations across a variety of settings, contexts, and content areas, including education-related initiatives (e.g., PreK-12, higher education, or community-based programs) and other programmatic or grant-funded initiatives.
• Proficiency in creating full-scale research and evaluation plans incorporating varying methods and applying those plans in real-world settings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan and execute evaluation projects, prioritize tasks, and consistently meet deadlines in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated written (e.g., reports, grant proposals, funding applications) and oral (e.g., presentations, meetings) communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Experience in using survey software platforms (Qualtrics preferred), Microsoft Excel and software packages for qualitative (Dedoose preferred) and quantitative analysis (e.g. SPSS, or R strongly preferred).

Preferred:

• Experience conducting field-based evaluations and research using mixed methods-including quantitative and qualitative approaches-to assess programs, systems, policies, or initiatives across educational, community, nonprofit, or other organizational contexts.
• Demonstrated success in identifying, developing, and securing grant-funded evaluation projects or evaluation components within larger grant proposals.
• Experience and commitment to anti-racism/oppression, culturally responsive approaches and practices, and integration of an equity lens across the evaluation life cycle.
• Excels in a flexible, project-based work environment.
• Ability to problem-solve and make informed decisions to drive processes forward, maintain project momentum, and effectively achieve project goals.
• Experience with qualitative (e.g. thematic analysis, content analysis) and advanced quantitative data analysis techniques.
• Proven ability to take initiative, working effectively in both independent and collaborative team environments.
• Skilled in managing complex challenges that may arise during any phase of the evaluation lifecycle.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $80,000-$100,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% A ppointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required application materials: Resume, Cover Letter, and Example of an independently written report or proposal

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Ap