Research Associate, Data Analyst, Data Scientist

Job Duties

• Support RPA’s mission by reporting system data, submitting data to external entities including the federal government and education agencies, and responding to requests for information from the legislature, institutions, and system office divisions.
• Analyze higher education data and policy issues and conduct research to advance the mission of the USG.
• Play an integral role in advancing RPA’s research agenda.
• Provide support for enterprise dashboard projects through data validation, user experience enhancement, and data visualization recommendations in collaboration with the Enterprise Data Management and Analytics team.
• Assist in system data collection and governance.
• Support the strategic imperative that data and analysis are key drivers in the USG becoming the best system of higher education in the country.

• Master’s degree required with training in research and analysis of education, social science, or economic data and experience in higher education policy, research, and/or analysis or comparable experience in a similar field. Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be proficient in a statistics program such as Stata, R, etc.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, Excel).
• Preferred proficiency with SQL.
• Preferred experience with data visualization software (e.g., Power BI).
• Preferred experience working with state‑level higher education data.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and report data and communicate complex ideas and research findings clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Ability to translate a stakeholder information request into an analytic plan for a project or technical specifications for a report.
• Knowledge of issues and trends in higher education.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of statistical software (e.g., Stata, R) and other office software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Excellent analytical reasoning, problem solving, and written/verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in using national databases eg. Census data or IPEDS.
• Knowledge of FERPA and ethical uses of data.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new software and acquire new competencies.
• Demonstrated understanding of data management, relational databases, and data warehouses and experience with data dictionaries, metadata, and data standards.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize work, handle multiple tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines, and maintain documentation for projects and requests.
• Willingness and ability to provide support and service to other departments within USG, to USG campuses, and external constituencies.
• Able to handle confidential materials professionally and with discretion.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.

The University System of Georgia (USG) is one of the nation's largest and leading public higher education systems. The USG is committed to creating a more educated Georgia that is prepared for the global knowledge economy by increasing degree completion, ensuring academic excellence, spurring research and creativity, driving business creation, and making effective and efficient use of resources. The USG will accelerate our state's higher education commitment to educational attainment, accountability, partnerships, performance, value, and global competitiveness.

Our organizational core values are founded upon the principles of Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect.

The Division of Research and Policy Analysis (RPA) of the University System of Georgia is responsible for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on the system's 25 public colleges and universities. RPA conducts research and ensures that accurate and up-to-date information is available to guide planning and policy development. RPA plays a critical role in meeting the strategic imperative that data is used to foster transparency, continuous improvement, and student success throughout the University System of Georgia.

Salary: Dependent on qualifications and experience.

City: Atlanta

State/Province/Region: GA

Institution: University System of Georgia

Reports To: Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and Policy Analysis

Staff # Reporting to Position: 0

Reports In Office: Research and Policy Analysis