Dear colleagues,

The National Center for Schools and Communities (NCSC) at Fordham University supports parent- and community-led efforts to provide high quality public schools for all children regardless of color, regardless of income. Through evaluation services for out of school time (OST) projects serving thousands of public school students, they further support
child- and youth-development services and policy that complement the school day and address child- and youth-development needs that public schools are increasingly unable to meet.

NCSC is a joint project of the Graduate Schools of Education and Social Service. Current evaluation work includes:
* Annual review of after-school program implementation and child level data in 140 schools serving 12,500 students operated by a major youth development organization * Validation study of after-school program evaluation measures * Implementation and outcome evaluation of the 21st Century Community Learning Center after-school program serving 400 students in four schools * Implementation and outcome evaluation of a multi-site early childhood learning program serving 250 children * Implementation and early outcome evaluation of a tech ed/service learning project in which students in 50 NYC public schools operate their schools' computer help desks * Pilot study for Peace Games programming evaluation in four elementary and middle schools

NCSC is also involved in a number of cutting edge public policy projects including helping map the New York City school-to-prison pipeline; exploring alternatives to mayoral control of the schools; mentoring a participatory action research project investigating how students use technology to organize; and support for campaigns around middle school reform, equity for immigrant students, and resistance to heavy handed policing of our public schools.

The Research Associate works closely with a Senior Researcher who oversees NCSC's school-based child- and youth-development evaluation work.
This position trains and coordinates data entry by research assistants and work study students and oversees maintenance of project datasets.
The primary responsibility of the Research Associate for at least the first year will be to provide technical and field support to the Senior Researcher for a major validation project.

The position involves:
* Screening and mining large longitudinal data sets * Collecting new data and monitoring quality and timeliness of data entry * Managing data, including creating and administering data entry, tracking, and cleaning systems * Performing statistical and data analyses for timely completion of interim and annual reports, briefings, and presentations to clients and funders * Interviewing program staff and observing activities using evaluation protocols during site visits; summarizing site visit observations and descriptions that provide input for the narrative in the annual reports * Conducting or assisting with focus groups for students, parents, teachers, principals, and other stakeholders; preparing written summaries of the focus groups; and participating in qualitative analysis of this and other documentation of program activities * Writing reports on findings from data analyses * Working with the Senior Researcher on other projects as needed * Working with the Executive Director to support other NCSC activities as needed

Candidates will have the following qualifications and skills:
* A commitment to social change and, specifically, to public school systems that provide high quality education for all children regardless of race, language, or family income * Master's degree (or higher) in educational policy or policy analysis; social work with a concentration in research; social, educational, or school psychology; sociology, political science, or other relevant social science * Familiarity with public education and youth development policy, trends, and topics a strong plus * At least two years relevant quantitative research experience; program evaluation experience a strong plus; after-school or early childhood program experience a plus * Strong analytical skills and advanced knowledge of statistics that includes multivariate statistical methods (e.g. multiple regression, confirmatory factor analysis, SEM, and path analysis); knowledge of and experience with SPSS, AMOS, and LISREL * Experience with measurement tool development and validation a strong plus; experience with HLM a plus; knowledge of Atlas ti a plus * Demonstrated ability to interpret complex data * Excellent writing and proofreading skills; facility in Windows-based programs and networked office systems * Organizational, project management, and creative problem-solving skills * A strong work ethic * An outcome-focused work style, initiative, flexibility, capacity to manage multiple projects; strong commitment to meeting deadlines; good social and client management skills * Ability to function well both in a team and in situations requiring a high level of autonomy * Multiple, current, checkable professional references including past employers

Salary range: $45-50,000 plus outstanding benefits. This position and the Center are grant-funded. This position is not a faculty line. This position is open immediately pending posting by Fordham HR.

Cover letter and resume should emphasize statistical, quantitative, and evaluation skill sets and experience. In addition, please send two brief writing samples of three to five pages (absolute maximum) plus title page each, excerpts acceptable. If possible, one sample should include an accessible discussion of a quantitative approach to a policy, research, or evaluation topic.

Please send material to: Research Associate Position, National Center for Schools and Communities, Fordham University, 33 West 60th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10023. No calls, faxes, emails, or attachments please.

Learn more about NCSC at www.NCSCatFordham.org




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