Research and Evaluation Specialist

Serve as a data analyst/evaluator for all YWCA Kalamazoo programing. This position will work collaboratively with department directors to conduct evaluation activities and qualitative and quantitative analyses with a particular focus on integrating client experience across programs.

1. Assist with the day-to-day management of research and program evaluation activities, such as:

• • Assist with the development of evaluation procedures/protocols and the development of data collection instruments.
  • Conduct interviews and focus groups.
  • Analyze data using statistical tools such as R and Excel.
  • Analyze interviews using inductive and deductive processes.
  • Write surveys using survey flow, logic display, and scoring on Qualtrics.
  • Write research and evaluation reports using APA format.
  • Create reports and dashboards on Qualtrics and Excel for interactive reporting.
  • Work collaboratively with other departments on the design of evaluation tools.

2. Respond to request for data or information from other departments in a timely manner.
3. Communicate professionally and effectively with co-workers via Google Chats, Texts, In-person and Virtual meetings.
4. Attend all department meetings and internal/external client meetings.
5. Regularly maintain work plans, task lists, and project calendars to meet deadlines.
6. Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. YWCA Cedar, YWCA Cornerstone, and/or YWCA Main Building.
2. Requires the ability to travel to multiple off-site locations.
3. Potential outdoor events.
4. Sitting, standing, kneeling, bending, and some lifting.
5. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 20 pounds.
6. Occasionally exposure to blood borne and airborne pathogens or infectious materials.
7. Specialized equipment, machines, or vehicles used: Computer, tablet.
8. Michigan’s driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.

1. Bachelor or Master’s degree in Evaluation, Economics, Education, Statistics, Business, Psychology, Public Health, Social Work, or International Development preferred.
2. Knowledge of the principals, practices, and procedures of research and program evaluation practices.
3. Three years of previous experience conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, program evaluation, research, quality improvement, inferential statistics, and/or data management.
4. Strong skills for manipulating, analyzing, and visualizing a wide variety of data sets.
5. Knowledge of data visualization skills to create one-pagers and reports.
6. Experience conducting statistical analysis using a software package (e.g. SPSS, SAS, R).
7. Experience conducting qualitative analysis.
8. Experience in conducting interviews and focus groups with marginalized populations.
9. Ability to explain data analysis and results to a variety of audiences at different competency levels.
10. Proficiency in survey design and data collections tools such as Survey Monkey, Qualtrics, and Google Survey.
11. Proven success in project/program management tools such as Asana and Google Tasks.
12. Demonstrated success in data management and reporting.
13. Demonstrated ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds.
14. Proficient at queries, writing reports, and making presentations.
15. Experience in internal and external evaluation.
16. Well-versed in social justice based evaluation, such as Transformative, Culturally Responsive, and Equitable Evaluation.
17. Proven proficiency in using technology or comfort in learning new technology.
18. Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, high demand environment.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

1. Orientation to YWCA Personnel Policies, Mission, Purpose and One Imperative.
2. Racial Justice Training
3. Orientation to Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Home Visitation, Confidentiality, Mandatory Reporting.
4. Other appropriate training and in-service which will occur during employment.