Research, Evaluation, and Assessment Coordinator

The Research, Evaluation, and Assessment Coordinator supports outdoor school programs in equitably serving diverse populations, including those that have been historically marginalized/excluded from participation in outdoor school. As part of the Outdoor School team, this individual will approach their work through an equity lens and commits to ongoing learning and professional growth in equity, diversity, and inclusion.
 

30% – Research Program Coordination and Planning:

• Coordinate the research program for statewide Outdoor School program. Work with Outdoor School team to plan short-term, intermediate, and long-term (longitudinal) research activities.
• Conduct research that centers issues of accessibility, inclusion, and other related issues as they pertain to Outdoor School.
• Conduct literature reviews of related or applicable bodies of research.
• Ensure Institutional Review Board approval and protocol for all applicable Outdoor School research activities.
• Develop and manage research program budget in collaboration with Program Director.

25% – Data Reporting and Biennial Report:

• Ensure participation by all stakeholders in data reporting.
• Assist school districts and Education Service Districts with local data collection and reporting protocols. (Travel to sites may be necessary.)
• Coordinate with Oregon Department of Education to ensure effective data collection, data sharing, and reporting protocols.
• Ensure the protection, integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of all data, particularly student information.
• Oversee biennial Outdoor School report, which includes evaluation, projections, and future research and evaluation efforts. Emphasize issues of equity, diversity and access.
• Present findings and data to various local and national academic conferences, internal extension functions, advisory committee meetings, and external stakeholder events.
• Present findings and data and offer testimony at Oregon legislative hearings related to Outdoor School.
• Organize data, evaluation results, and successes/areas for growth for public sharing, including on the Outdoor School website and for the Oregon legislature.
• Create materials in a format that is relevant to the audience.
• Diversify identities and perspectives represented in reports and print materials and collaborate with graphic designer to ensure diverse images in all public materials.

15% – Data Collection and Analysis:

• Manage data collection through district reporting platform, surveys, and observations.
• Assist with data collection platform design in coordination with Outdoor School team and Advisory Committee.
• Coordinate with Outdoor School team, faculty, researchers, stakeholders, and districts to ensure accurate and clear protocol for training, communication, and data collection.
• Work with partners/vendors and Extension IT personnel to ensure reliable, high-quality data collection platform.
• Suggest improvements to the data collection process at end of each evaluation year.
• Lead data analysis as aligned with research agenda, goals, and evaluation of program.
• Manage secure data storage and backup/redundancy.

15% –Professional Development:

• Participate in leadership training opportunities that build expertise around equity, inclusion, and diversity and contribute to continued professional growth as a researcher and evaluator.
• Maintain and advance knowledge and skills in the areas of research, evaluation, and assessment through professional development.
• Attend applicable conferences and conduct professional presentations that provide valuable contributions that advance the mission of Outdoor School and the Division.

15% – Service and Outdoor School Team Special Projects:

• Coordinate with Advisory Committee as deemed necessary by the Program Director.
• Assist with overall Outdoor School team vision and annual goals.
• Assist Outdoor School team in supporting schools’ and districts’ programming.
• Provide oversight and supervision of graduate and undergraduate students, contractors, and/or student workers to support research, evaluation, and assessment efforts.
• Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students effectively across all aspects of difference.
• Assure equitable distribution of access to mentoring resources and networks among supervised students.
• Participate in the development, design, and/or revision of curriculum for non-credit courses published by the Outdoor School program through the Division’s Professional and Continuing Education platform.
• Participate actively as a member of the university community, for example by serving on administrative committees, search committees, in university governance, and/or as a student advisor.
• Contribute to a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.

• Master’s Degree in discipline related to the work of the Outdoor School program (e.g., education, science education, social sciences) and/or program evaluation broadly. Degree must be completed by the time application is submitted.
• Five years of experience designing and implementing program and process evaluation activities, including professional experience conducting statistical, qualitative, and mixed methods analyses.
• Experience preparing study protocols and study instruments for Institutional Review Board or other ethics review.
• Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including ability to orally present data and findings in a variety of settings.
• Demonstrated written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience with providing oversight to budgets.
• Demonstrated experience in research project coordination and program management.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with diverse populations in a culturally responsive manner.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and inclusion.
• Experience in organization, decision-making, problem solving and creating a collaborative environment.
• General knowledge of computers, including proficiency in word processing, email communications, and presentation tools.
• Ability to form and nurture relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks with rigid deadlines.
• Ability to maintain the strictest confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to use research and evaluation software, for example, data processing platforms and survey software, such as (or similar to) Microsoft Excel, Qualtrics, SPSS and/or NVivo data analysis programs.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
 

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030