Evaluation Associate/Senior Evaluation Associate (K-12 Evaluation) at University of Mississippi in University, MS

Job description

The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential. Job Summary: Are you passionate about evaluation as a tool for social change? Do you enjoy tackling complex questions, working collaboratively with partners, and finding practical ways to turn data into useful information? The Center for Research Evaluation (CERE) at the University of Mississippi is seeking an Evaluation Associate or Senior Evaluation Associate to join our K–12 Evaluation team. In this role, you will help design and lead meaningful evaluation and applied research projects with school districts, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, university partners, and other organizations working to improve educational opportunities and outcomes. CERE is an independent evaluation center at the University of Mississippi that works with partners across Mississippi and throughout the nation. Our work goes beyond collecting and reporting data. We collaborate closely with clients to understand the questions that matter to them, design rigorous and practical approaches for answering those questions, and translate findings into information they can use for learning and decision making. This is an open-rank position, and the selected candidate will be appointed at the Evaluation Associate or Senior Evaluation Associate level based on the candidate's education, relevant experience, demonstrated skills, and qualifications. The position is expected to work from the University of Mississippi's Oxford campus. Travel may be required to support project activities, including travel within Mississippi and elsewhere in the United States. CERE's work is highly collaborative, and Evaluation Associates/Senior Evaluation Associates typically manage multiple evaluation projects simultaneously. Candidates should be comfortable working across projects and content areas, managing competing priorities, and adapting evaluation approaches to different client and program contexts. Job Description: Our Ideal Candidate: We are looking for someone who is curious, collaborative, and excited about using evaluation to address meaningful questions in K–12 education. Strong candidates will be comfortable working with both quantitative and qualitative methods and thinking critically about how to match evaluation approaches to the needs of different programs, partners, and contexts. Just as important, we are looking for someone who values the relationships that makegood evaluation possible. CERE works closely with clients and partners throughout the evaluation process, so this role requires someone who can listen well, communicate clearly, facilitate productive conversations, and translate complex information into findings that are useful to technical and nontechnical audiences. The person in this role will manage and contribute to multiple projects at the same time, working collaboratively with other CERE staff, students, clients, and project partners. Depending on experience and appointment level, the position may also include leading complex evaluations, managing strategic client relationships, mentoring other evaluation staff, contributing to quality assurance, and supporting proposals and business development. We welcome candidates who bring strong evaluation skills as well as professionals whose experience in education, applied research, data analysis, program improvement, or related fields has prepared them to contribute to this work. Required Qualifications: Evaluation Associate (Starting salary range: $70,000–$79,000) Candidates considered for appointment as an Evaluation Associate should have: At least a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field, such as Measurement, Evaluation, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a