Reports to:    Deputy Director of Research and Analytics

Salary:            Competitive and commensurate with experience

Location:        New Haven, CT with some travel

Overview:

The Connecticut RISE Network (RISE) is a Connecticut-based non-profit organization with a mission to empower educators to achieve breakthrough results, helping all students realize and achieve their full potential.  RISE facilitates networked improvement communities by bringing together educators working in different contexts to advance shared goals. Together, RISE’s team is building community, democratizing innovation, and improving systems in public schools and districts.

Through its current network, RISE represents a multi-year partnership between East Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, and Hartford Public Schools to support educators striving to ensure every RISE high school student graduates college and career ready.  RISE currently serves 6,000 students across five high schools and will expand to a second network of high schools in fall 2019, bringing its direct student impact to nearly 15,000 students in 10 to 12 high schools. RISE districts and schools commit to sharing resources and expertise, pursuing innovative solutions, strengthening school and district systems, and empowering educators and leaders through continuous improvement.   

Position Summary and Essential Job Functions:

The RISE Education Insights Specialist will play an integral role leading the Network’s program evaluation and data insights functions.  RISE is seeking a talented and highly motivated individual to collaboratively develop, conduct, and coordinate the Network’s program evaluation function, including working with educators to design and coordinate program implementation and effectiveness measurements. The RISE Education Insights Specialist will spend 80% of his/her time supporting network-wide data insights initiatives and program evaluation and 20% of his/her time working with one RISE partner school. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and is passionate about discovering and applying new knowledge with a focus on developing the potential of all students, regardless of life circumstance.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:


1. Education Insights:

  • Collaborate with RISE Deputy Director of Research & Analytics and Network partners to develop and oversee a data learning agenda, including identifying potential projects, directing the design of comprehensive project plans, ensuring the quality of project implementation, and synthesizing and presenting the results for various audiences
  • Support program leaders and Network partners to help them create and sustain performance management systems that allow users to understand the efficiency and efficacy of current or future programs
  • Assemble, maintain, and analyze longitudinal data sets to identify and bring attention to new information that Network partners can use to improve outcomes for students
  • Coordinate multiple concurrent projects while communicating progress to Network partners and RISE staff
  • Document and present ongoing and completed program research


2. Program Evaluation:

  • Design program evaluation and performance management systems that are responsive to Network needs and work with Network partners to collect, analyze, and report on the progress of RISE-supported programs
  • Facilitate the use and analysis of program evaluation results by school and district leaders as they make mid-course corrections to maximize student impact
  • Monitor school and district data needs and challenges, proactively looking for ways to enhance data-driven decision-making and workflow
  • Provide strategic input and direction for continued growth in the area of program evaluation and performance management
  • Foster knowledge sharing and disseminate findings and lessons to maximize cross-pollination of ideas and practices


3. Data Practices:

  • Support teachers, leaders, and teams in integrating data in daily decision-making and longer-term planning, and encourage the use of protocols to consistently use data to structure interventions.
  • Use data tools and research methods to facilitate understanding of student and program performance while serving as a support for Network partners and RISE employees
  • Provide training to internal staff and Network partners around program evaluation metrics and tools, processes, and research outcomes
  • Provide trainings to RISE school and district partners around data tools and best practices.
  • Employ multifaceted strategies to effectively launch new measurement and documentation tools, promoting educator buy-in, understanding, fluency, enthusiasm, and high usage rates
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with teachers, school leaders, and central office administrators.


4. Outcomes-informed Leadership

  • Educate RISE leadership team on the strategic implications of program evaluation results
  • Develop RISE team capacity for integrating education insight techniques and mindsets into current and future work
  • Contribute to strategic conversations about which new projects and initiatives RISE should pursue
  • Continuously identify and disseminate research literature containing proven techniques that RISE could integrate

Required Knowledge and Skills:

  • Strong knowledge of program evaluation methods required

  • Knowledge of SQL, R, and RStudio desired

  • Experience with version control systems (preferably Git)

  • Strong sense of accountability and responsibility for results

  • Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team

  • Ability to interact professionally and earn credibility with a diverse range of stakeholders

  • Commitment to systems-driven solutions for scalable and sustained impact

  • Strong organizational and project management skills

  • Strong belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels

  • Ability to ramp up on new content and work in an independent and self-motivated manner

  • Desire to work in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and results-driven environment

  • Ability to conduct analyses and present results in a variety of written and visual formats

  • Strong communication and presentation skills, both oral and written

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with other researchers, staff, schools and districts, and other external partners

  • Sense of humor, positive attitude, and willingness to work in a collaborative environment

Required Education and Experience:

  • Master’s degree in a relevant field required

  • Minimum of four years of program evaluation experience or other relevant professional experience

  • Demonstrated record of designing, developing, and executing program evaluations required
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