University of Waterloo Looking for Data Analyst and Evaluation Specialist at Ontario Full Time

Term: 13 months.

The Specialist has three primary areas of focus: 1) Provide direction and serve as a consultant to the management and leadership teams in the creation and ongoing maintenance of outcomes-based evaluation and assessment plans, data gathering methods, analysis, and use of results to support continuous program improvements. 2) Provide training and competency building opportunities to all SSO staff in support of building and maintaining a culture of evidence, 3) Collects, analyzes, and manages large and small data sets and processes to help inform decision making across the SSO and at the institutional level as appropriate. The Data Analyst brings an equity informed approach to their work demonstrating an appreciation and value for both quantitative and qualitative data collection practices.

Develops and implements research and evaluation plans that support undergraduate and graduate student success strategies

• Maintains awareness of, analyzes, and understands all types of recorded university data, including but not limited to key performance indicators, student satisfaction surveys, NSSE, and government reporting data related to graduate outcomes, determines any applications and implications pertinent to SSO strategies; and educates the appropriate staff accordingly

• Collaborates with IAP, MUR, and other departments to further analyze data from large student population surveys (e.g., NSSE, Incoming Student Survey, iBarometer, etc.) and develop complementary inquiries that focus on specific needs and services

• Determines and recommends any specific, measurable, actionable, and realistic metrics that can be employed as indicators of success of SSO’s work plans and opportunities for continuous improvement

• Works with large datasets to clean, merge, and format lists for SSO communications

• Prepares and delivers any required in-person presentations of research results

• Manages all aspects of SSO participation in any large-scale surveys or research projects

• Facilitates SSO survey design and programming

• Analyzes current SSO data collection systems and evaluation processes to identify trends and opportunities for streamlining

• Uses an equity and anti-racist informed approach to qualitative and quantitative data collection, interpretation, and dissemination

• Investigates new data analysis tools, systems and practices and makes recommendations for enhancing SSO processes

• Consults with IAP/IST and other departments on the design, implementation, testing and operation of any computer systems required for the collection, storage, reporting and analysis of data and trends related to student success in conjunction with the Manager, Integrated Communications

Understands and applies current, relevant research methods and trends, audience,and institutional knowledge.

• Maintains a clear understanding of the characteristics of current students including their preferences with respect to completing surveys, questionnaires, and other research instruments,so that they can translate this information into effective tactics for enhancing research strategies

• Keeps current with respect to best practices in research and evaluation methodologies, as well as trends in communicating with students and influencers

Collaborates, advises and consults

• Provides training and competency building opportunities for the management and leadership teams to foster a culture of evidence across the SSO

• Provides direction and serves as a consultant to the management and leadership teams in the creation and ongoing maintenance of their outcomes-based evaluation plans, data gathering methods, analysis, and use of the results to support continuous program improvements

• Works closely with the entire SSO team to ensure the cohesiveness, consistency and integrationof research/assessment goals and plans with current strategies and messaging

• Supports and advises the SSO leadership team with respect to any new or evolving research strategies, opportunities, and results as well as any analyses that may assist with decisionsabout priorities and long-range planning

• Works closely with SSO team to determine data analysis needs with respect to thebroader university database and then liaises with IAP to obtain appropriate data

• Collaborates closely with the Evaluation and Accountability team and the Data Analytics and Reporting team in IAP to provide input and expertise and to obtain advice with respect to SSO research requirements and initiatives, including but not limited to survey management and interpretation, forecasting, retention definition and analyses and participation in large-scalesurveys such as NSSE. Contribute SSO progress and outcome indicators to the support of various institutional accountability measures, including those related to the university strategic plan

• Advises and keeps SSO teams informed about any plans, features and results of IAP and/orother department or faculty-related studies and data that may affect student success

• Shares research analysis, detailed reports, and clear explanations with all interested andaffected on-campus stakeholders

• Consults with and advises SSO team members with respect to design, administration andanalysis of program evaluations, the results of which inform the development evaluation and each area’s ongoing program improvement and work planning

• Consults with managers to recommend KPIs for areas across the SSO. Responsible for updating and continuously improving (automation) power BI dashboards from different data sources across campus

• Leadership or co-leadership on specific data analytics projects as required

• Educates themselves and others on understanding how bias, privilege and discrimination can impact data collection and overall interpretation of information

Other

• Participates in SSO events and in the administration of SSO-wide responsibilities, and other such general and specific duties as may from time to time be determined (i.e.: orientation, convocation)

• Research-based or other relevant masters or post-graduate degree with solid knowledge of social science research methods, both quantitative and qualitative; ability to use descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze data; and knowledge of various methodologies to gather data (surveys, interviews, focus groups, community forum, literature reviews, environmental scans; situational analysis, needs assessment, etc.)

• At least 3 years of experience in a data analysis and/or research role, preferably in an educational setting

• A record of and commitment to participating in ongoing learning and engagement in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion anti-racism and accessibility. The Analyst connects this learning to their overall SSO assessment, evaluation and data analysis practices

• Strong educational and professional background in data management, statistical analysis, associated computer applications, program evaluation, and related applied social research methods

• Demonstrated leadership and guidance in using descriptive and inferential statistics to understand trends, patterns, and dependencies with respect to a variety of strategic issues

• Knowledge of research-related post-secondary issues, such as student success; student satisfaction, retention, and engagement; and student enrollment patterns and trends

• Superior oral and written communication skills as demonstrated by success in engaging, understanding, and supporting data users, including proven presentation and public-speaking abilities

• Aptitude for presenting/visualizing data analytics in an efficient, effective, and easily understandable way to a wide variety of audiences and users and with the use of numerous reporting formats and web technologies

• Demonstrated success in working and leading working groups and/or committees

• Ability to build consensus, foster teamwork among a variety of stakeholders, and lead integrated project teams

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in and contribute to an integrated and collaborative team environment and to apply a positive team approach to working with colleagues

• Demonstrated experience working with large and complex data sets

• Demonstrated knowledge of barriers to student success (systematic, historic, issues of access) for underrepresented or non-traditional students and students are academically at risk. Knowledge of how these barriers may impact data collection techniques and overall program evaluation practices

• Strong ability to understand, maintain and address data quality

• Proven ability to deliver timely, accurate, comprehensible, professional-quality data analytical reports

• Knowledge of project management and related processes

• Strong organizational skills coupled with the ability to handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities

• Strong understanding of the assessment/evaluation process

• Excellent communication skills: ability to converse articulately with university administrators and other campus stakeholders

• Data management, manipulation, interpretation, and analysis skills

• Expertise in assessment/evaluation instrument design

• Software requirements – advanced Microsoft Office, in particular Excel; SPSS, working knowledge of Power BI

• Plan, organize and lead teams without direct supervisor responsibilities

• Evening and weekend work is sometimes required

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected]  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

iCIMS Requisition ID: 2023-9996

Department: Student Success Office

Employment Type: Temporary

Salary Range: $58,542 – $73,178

Street: 200 University Avenue West