Job Details
Job Description
Job Description Summary:
The Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center is a policy research group at the Peabody College at Vanderbilt University under the direction of Dr. Cynthia Osborne. The Policy Impact Center aims to be the go-to resource for actionable evidence for state policy leaders as they develop and implement the most effective policies that ensure children get off to a strong start and thrive. Visit the Policy Impact Center at pn3policy.org for more information on our work.
For Summer 2024, the Policy Impact Center is hiring a temporary Dat Research Assistant to support the work of the Data and Analysis Team, which:
- Analyzes and visualizes demographic and outcome data from several large nationally representative datasets for the annual Prenatal-to-3 State Policy Roadmap.
- Maintains the Policy Impact Calculator, a microsimulation of resources available to a minimum wage worker with 2 children in all 50 states and DC.
- Develops data and data processes for the Center's data warehouse.
- Builds data sets with longitudinal data on state policy implementation and parameters.
General Notes: This position reports functionally and administratively to staff within the Data and Analysis Team. Applicants from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse environment to continue to build a strong and equitable prenatal-to-3 system of care.
Terms of employment:
- Temporary summer 2024 appointment: May 16, 2024 to August 15, 2024, flexible start and end dates may be considered
- 20 to 30 hours per week
- Pay rate is hourly
- This role could be a great opportunity for a student seeking a paid internship (please indicate interest on cover letter and follow up on requirements will be necessary)
- Independent use of program data must be approved by Policy Impact Center Executive Director, Dr. Cynthia Osborne.
- This position can be performed remotely, and hybrid remote-work opportunities are available.
The primary responsibilities of the position include: Data Research Assistants will:
- Work closely with data staff to support data management and analysis across multiple program and policy evaluation projects.
- Gain valuable program evaluation, data cleaning, data management, and analytic skills working closely with experienced researchers.
- Use Stata or R to assist with data cleaning, data management, and analysis.
- Gain exposure to working with raw survey data and large relational administrative datasets.
- Other tasks and support as needed.
Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibility.
Required/Essential qualifications: - Experience with data management and manipulation.
- Intermediate to advanced user of Stata or R.
- Educational experience in a related field (e.g., public policy, public administration, education policy, public health, social work, sociology, etc.).
- Independent and reliable worker.
- Excellent writing skills - ability to clearly synthesize research and communicate to different audiences.
- Strong analytic and organizational skills.
- Exceptional project management and time management skills.
- Strict attention to detail.
- Strong communication skills (both verbal and written).
- Adhere to the rules/norms of academic integrity with regard to citations, attribution of work, and summarizing the work of others.
Preferred Skills:
- Interest and/or relevant experience in early childhood policy in one of the following areas: child and parent heath, economic and family supports, early care and learning.
- Interest and/or relevant experience in state policy (e.g., tracking legislative progress, understanding policy implementation) and/or policy research (e.g., understanding of strong research methodologies).
Coding Test Requirement: As part of the selection process, competitive candidates will be asked to complete a 2-hour coding test before the interview phase of the recruitment process. This test will assess your proficiency in coding, analyzing, and interpreting data. To complete the exercise, candidates must access a computer with R or Stata software. This assessment was designed for recruitment purposes only.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
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