NEA seeks Director of Research Department

[Jobsthat areleft]

The National Education Association (NEA) is America’s oldest and
largest organization committed to advancing the cause of public
education. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NEA proudly claims more
than 3 million members devoted to the following mission: to advocate
for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to
fulfill the promise of public education by preparing every student to
succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. Our vision is a great
public school for every student. We strive to improve the quality of
teaching, to increase student achievement, and to make schools safer
and better places to learn.
The Research Department is part of the NEA Center for Great Public
Schools (CGPS) and its primary function is to support the ongoing
activities of the CGPS by conducting surveys and policy research,
developing current and historical trend data sets, and providing
analyses that support the CGPS’ work of identifying, developing and
promoting policies and practices that define a quality education
profession. The Research Department evaluates practices, identifies
successful policies that improve schools and student learning, and
provides comprehensive analyses of national, state and district
policies from a research framework. Finally, the Research Department
serves as a resource to NEA and state affiliates seeking to decipher,
and respond to, research claims made on behalf of various public
policy initiatives. The Director of the Research Department reports
to the Director of the CGPS and oversees a staff of 29 employees.

Responsibilities:
• Manages and oversees the Research Department including directing,
organizing and setting the agenda for the work of the Department,
overseeing staff, setting the Department budget, and
analyzing/evaluating the effectiveness of Department work processes
and products.
• Ensures that the Department provides timely and expert technical
assistance, analysis and advice to NEA and state affiliates in an
array of areas including membership dues calculation, international
education questions, state tax structures, economic development,
school funding, statistical analysis, methodological techniques,
substantive education/school reform content questions, survey
development/reports.
• Ensures that the Department timely tracks and reports upon current
developments in Research that may impact the work of CGPS, NEA and
state affiliates. Ensures that the Department, based on the current
research landscape, can quickly and comprehensively critique and
provide responses to national, state and local initiatives.

Qualifications:
• Ph.D. in Education, Sociology, Economics, Statistics or related
disciplines required.
• A minimum of seven years NEA state association or professional
research experience required, with experience conducting/managing data
analysis, writing research papers, reports and issue briefs, applying
research to strategic planning, problem-solving and decision making,
or working in database development, data retrieval, and data
presentation software.
• At least three years of executive-level experience preferred.
• Proven knowledge and comfort with quantitative and qualitative
research methods, statistics, and other inferential techniques and
ability to apply complex data to practical situations.
• Proven knowledge and experience translating complex research
articles, concepts, theories, and paradigms both for presentation to
lay people and for use in advocacy.
• Superlative analytical, written and presentation skills including
proven expertise in writing for professional and scholarly
publications, and expertise in in speaking to multiple audiences with
appropriate media aids.
• Proven ability to manage complex relationships with federal
officials, private sector firms, nonprofit foundations, consultants
and other organizations.
• Proven experience developing and managing a research budget.
• Proven ability to lead a highly credentialed diverse team of
research professionals and consultants in pursuit of organizational
goals.
• Effective skills in supervision, decision-making, oral/written
communications, policy analysis, interpersonal relations, team
building, and collaboration.

Applications are now being accepted. Internal applicants must apply
by May 29, 2012. External applicants may apply until the position is
filled. Interested candidates should apply online at
www.nea.org/jobs. A résumé, references, writing sample and written
test are required of all applicants.

The National Education Association is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer and encourages women, minorities and persons with
disabilities to apply.


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JobsthatareLEFT
Courtney Sieloff, Principal
Washington DC

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