Policy Research Analyst

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The Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability (OREA) is committed to producing objective and accurate research, evaluation, and analysis to inform public policy discussions and decisions in the Tennessee General Assembly. The work of OREA helps support the TN General Assembly and thereby supports the broader mission of the Comptroller's Office, to make government work better.

The OREA is seeking a Research Analyst who will be responsible for producing publications for the General Assembly on education policy issues and on other policy issues related to state and local government.

• Working individually and in a team environment to analyze complex issues in a variety of topic areas
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Conducting interviews
• Developing and administering surveys and compiling survey results
• Producing detailed publications including text, graphs, tables, and exhibits
• Responding to requests for information from legislators, the Comptroller of the Treasury, and other officials
• Monitoring legislative committees and analyzing the fiscal impact of legislation

Applicants should have graduated from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in a field requiring knowledge of research methodology, or a Bachelor’s degree with at least one year of relevant research experience. Other combinations of education and experience, if evaluated as equivalent, may also qualify. The candidate should possess the ability to produce publication‑quality written text, have a basic knowledge of the function and structure of state and local governments, of the legislative process, and of general research methodology.

The candidate should also have the ability to deal tactfully and professionally with the public, co‑workers, and members of the General Assembly. Knowledge of statistical methods and the ability to use spreadsheets for analysis are also desirable.

The Comptroller’s Office offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes twelve days each of annual leave and sick leave, insurance plans, pension retirement plan, 401(k), college fee waivers, and more.

Pursuant to the Comptroller of the Treasury’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the Office is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. The Office is committed to an environment free of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, sexual orientation, transgender and gender identity status, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.

This position requires a criminal background check. Candidates may be required to provide information about their criminal history to be considered for this position.

Applicants are required to complete one mandatory exercise and may choose to complete up to three optional exercises. Candidates must use their own words for all submissions; any plagiarism will result in disqualification.

State law requires OREA to review and study the Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship Act of 2023. Review the statutory requirement and formulate a research plan for OREA’s first evaluation of the program. Limit the research plan to two pages.

Explain past experience creating and following a research plan, including any problems encountered and how you addressed them. Limit your response to one to two paragraphs.

Explain past experience using STATA or another statistical analysis software. Limit your response to one paragraph.

Prepare a one‑page memo answering Senator Doe’s question about teacher turnover in the specified district and include a separate document that explains your considerations in preparing the memo. The memo should address the 2024‑25 school year.