Research Associate, Education

POSITION:                            RESEARCH ASSOCIATE, EDUCATION
CENTER/OFFICE:               INSTITUTE FOR YOUTH, EDUCATION & FAMILIES
HIRING RANGE:                 $40,000 - $42,000
                           ****THIS IS A GRANT FUNDED POSITION FOR TWO YEARS****

General Description:

Responsible for providing research support for the Institute’s work in areas related to education, school improvement, high school reform, and expanded learning opportunities.  Reports to the Program Director, Education and Afterschool Initiatives, Institute for Youth, Education, and Families.

Examples of Work:

Gathers information on initiatives in NLC member cities and other communities that seek to improve the quality of public schools including bolstering academic achievement, through after-school programs, alternative options for high school education, and other interventions.  

Drafts articles and prepares draft descriptions of best practices and promising initiatives within cities for use in NLC publications, newspaper or newsletter articles, and other materials prepared by the Institute.

Works collaboratively with Municipal Reference Service staff to incorporate descriptions of best practices and promising initiatives into NLC’s City Examples database and to revise them to reflect changes or new developments as necessary.

Responds to requests for information from NLC member cities, state municipal leagues, and other interested parties on topics related to education, school improvement, and expanded learning opportunities.

Identifies and utilizes relevant research and program information available through other national organizations working in related fields, and contributes to efforts to build partnerships with such organizations when appropriate.

Assists the Education and Afterschool staff in planning and implementing workshops and meetings including sessions at NLC’s two annual conferences, the Congress of Cities and the Congressional City Conference, on these and related topics.

Coordinates conference calls, meetings, and dissemination of information t members of the Institute’s networks involved in school improvement, high school reform, and expanded learning opportunities.

Develops program and research summaries for posting on Institute pages of NLC’s web site.

Attends conferences and meetings sponsored by local, state, and national organizations in order to stay abreast of the latest developments in the field.

May serve as a resource on relevant issues to other NLC staff.

Some travel required.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in related field preferred; minimum two years of relevant experience in research or policy analysis; experience with association or membership organization preferred, or a combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Substantial knowledge of issues related to education, including strategies to improve the quality of public schools and to bolster academic achievement through city-school partnerships, afterschool programs, alternative education strategies, and other interventions.  Strong research, writing, and computer skills; proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software preferred.  Ability to interact effectively with members, representatives of other organizations, consultants, and all levels of NLC staff.