Research Assistant, Workforce Development

at American Institutes for Research in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Overview

Join AIR as a Research Assistant with ourWorkforce Development (https://www.air.org/our-work/workforce) program area, as we support the healthy, productive, and evolving workforce vital to the United States’ economy and democracy. Our experts have decades of experience in workforce policy and practice, labor policy, postsecondary transformation, economics, and adult education. We work together towards addressing structural barriers in the workforce across race, class, and gender. We provide rigorousresearch and evaluation (https://www.air.org/our-capabilities/research-evaluation) , and results-driventechnical assistance and training (https://www.air.org/our-capabilities/technical-assistance) throughout the United States at all levels of the system.

Our work focuses on:

+ Career and technical education

+ Postsecondary education

+ Workforce policy and programs

+ Adult learning

+ Human capital solutions

+ Individuals with disabilities

The Workforce Program Area (WPA) focuses on the full employment cycle in the U.S., including workforce readiness, recruitment, selection, performance management, occupational training and postsecondary education, and improving employment and life outcomes for all people, with special attention to underserved populations. Our team is passionate about improving workforce outcomes to expand economic opportunity.The person in this position may have a particular focus area within the program area but will support work across the WPA.Use your experience, knowledge, and education to help us deliver on our mission: to contribute to a better, more equitable world.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of ourU.S. office locations. (https://www.air.org/locations#headquarters) This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

AIR’s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone’s unique life and community experiences.We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff byclicking here (https://www.air.org/our-commitment-diversity-equity-and-inclusion) .

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for the position include:

+ Conduct literature reviews to support projects and proposals

+ Assist staff in the review, identification and development of scholarly information describing research findings

+ Participate in the collection, analysis, and review of research and evaluation data

+ Develop spreadsheets and data bases to support project activities

+ Analyze quantitative and qualitative research data and contribute to the reporting and interpretation of findings

+ Conduct analysis of workforce or human service agencies’ client-centered services, such as by applying principles of behavioral economics, human centered design, or user-centered research to understand how to improve program delivery

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

+ Bachelor’s degree completed in a social science related field such as economics, psychology, sociology, statistics, computer science, public policy, public health or others

+ Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite or the equivalent (word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software)

+ Knowledge of data collection and analysis methodologies and techniques, such as survey design, analysis of program administrative data, and conduct of structured interviews, observations, and focus groups

+ Experience with or inclination to learn and use statistical software programs such as R, SPSS, or Stata to analyze data

Skills:

+ Demonstrated excellent organization and time management skills

+ Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing

+ Effective communication

+ Comfortable working independently and as a reliable member of a team

+ Comfortable working in a virtual/dispersed work environment

Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

AIR’s Total Rewards Program , is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers an anticipated salary of $25.50/hr. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

AIR maintains adrug-free work environment (https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Workplace-Drug-Policy-2023.pdf) .

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:

AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives.Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe @air.org is correct and jdoe @aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address . If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach outto recruitment@air.org .

If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov . You can also report it to your state attorney general . Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams .

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Submit an interest application (https://jobs-airdc.icims.com/jobs/13115/research-assistant%2c-workforce-development/job?mode=apply&apply=yes&in\_iframe=1&hashed=1374627785)

Please note, each section of the application is required in order for you to be considered for this opportunity. If you do not complete the required screening questions, or if you close your browser before completing each section of the application, your application will not be submitted for this position.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

American Institutes for Research’s commitment to Diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations and work environment. Diversity is valued and Inclusion is reflected in all efforts to recruit, develop, and engage the diverse staff needed to accomplish our mission.

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