About the Organization

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) is an independent think-and-do tank that activates community support, connects partners, and advances effective ideas for the success of all students. We work tirelessly to close the opportunity gap for low-income students and students of color. We convene educators, school system leaders and the community to pilot and scale evidence-based solutions that advance school quality in Duval County.  

JPEF has a highly engaged and diverse board, significant fiscal resources and talented staff to drive the work of the organization. The fast-paced and entrepreneurial organization has more than a decade-long track record of helping public schools significantly improve outcomes for kids through innovative, community-focused, and data-driven solutions.  


Position Summary

The Data and Research Associate will report to the Director of Data and Research and will play a critical role on the JPEF team by conducting significant data analysis and research. As JPEF works to advance the goals and strategies defined by its strategic plan, the Associate will support synthesis of data provided by partners, such as the school district, collect original data on JPEF initiatives, and evaluate the impact of JPEF and key partner efforts. A successful candidate will bring experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis, policy writing and evaluation, organization, communication, and interpersonal skills; as well as knowledge in education policy and data management systems. This is a temporary position that will last through August 31, 2024 with the possibility of extending dependent upon future funding and capacity needs. This is a hybrid role where one is expected to be in the office at least two days a week.


Responsibilities

Research and Reporting

  • Support all aspects of the research process for JPEF and key partner efforts, including project development, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
  • Create written products, such as reports, white papers, and blogs to share JPEF's perspective related to understanding or improving the current conditions, barriers, and strengths around students from historically marginalized backgrounds.
  • Contribute to the communication of research findings and syntheses for a wide range of stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and business leaders.
  • Conduct analyses and synthesize previous literature and publicly available data to identify trends, issues, and themes that inform and advance JPEF's strategic priorities.
  • Help produce and support JPEF publications and other work by drafting content, providing copy-editing, fact-checking, and conducting data quality reviews, as needed.
  • Assist in ongoing management and quality assurance of data and information, including dataset updates, inaccuracy monitoring, and responding to information or user support requests.


Data Analysis

  • Support the development of tools that will be used to collect data from a variety of stakeholders across JPEF's work.
  • Execute ongoing data collection strategies and support JPEF's analytic work, including updating and maintaining databases, cleaning and processing data, and performing analyses using a variety of techniques and approaches.
  • Support the implementation of JPEF's evaluation strategy, including the development of interviews, surveys, observation protocols, and other instruments to effectively evaluate and measure results.
  • Provide regular reports analyzing progress against initiatives and goals.


Communication

  • Support content development for data and research deliverables with JPEF's communications team.
  • Actively participate in internal meetings, work sessions, and retreats with a focus on collaborating cross-functionally, strategizing and evaluating effectiveness.
  • Support other program efforts as overall JPEF strategies or priorities dictate.
  • Represent JPEF at external events and exhibit the JPEF's core values.


Qualifications

Education/Career Experience

  • Master's degree in public policy, education, sociology, psychology, public health, program evaluation, or related field required.
  • Experience and skills in quantitative research methodology, such as regression, ANOVA, hypothesis testing, and data visualizations.
  • Experience and skills in qualitative research methodology, such as phenomenological, thematic, case study, and grounded theory.
  • A minimum of 1-2 years of experience working in education policy, advocacy, or analysis with a focus on students from historically marginalized backgrounds or special populations.
  • Experience drawing from data and prior knowledge to develop insightful conclusions and strategic solutions.


Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

  • Significant knowledge of K-12 education policy and data systems with some knowledge of Florida's education data system.
  • Very strong writing and public presentation skills, including the ability to provide compelling, detailed, data-driven answers to questions about education policies.
  • Experience and comfort conducting original qualitative and quantitative data collection, such as interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
  • Comfortable analyzing complex statistical models and visualizing/telling stories with data using statistics software packages (e.g. STATA, SPSS, Nvivo, Tableau, Salesforce, Dedoose).
  • Excellent planning, management, and evaluation skills.
  • Ability to maintain and respect the sensitive, private, and confidential nature of information related to grants, donors, advisors, and the organization.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize deliverables, and handle unanticipated demands and requests.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a collaborative style with the ability to engage colleagues at all levels.
  • Confidence to work internally and externally with various leaders, partners, staff, and consultants to support the organization's efforts.
  • Experience and comfort working with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Office applications, Teams), online communications tools (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), and various web-based applications.


General

  • Clear commitment to the importance of providing a high-quality public education for all students in Jacksonville, particularly historically underserved student populations.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline- and goal-driven organization.
  • Excitement and openness to continued learning and development.
  • Knowledge of Jacksonville is preferred but not required.


Salary and Benefits

The hourly wage for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. As a temporary, part-time position, this position is not eligible for benefits.


Commitment to Diversity

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund encourages individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort.

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