Job no: 507119
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: UMDI - PMFO Head Start
Union: Non-Unit Exempt
Categories: Analytics/Programming/Data, Administrative/Office Support, Sponsored Programs, Grants and Contracts

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI) is a public service, outreach, and economic development unit of the University of Massachusetts, providing government, business, and non-profit organizations with effective solutions in the areas of research, organizational development, training, and technical assistance through its 9 distinct business units. UMDI has a budget of approximately $23 million per year and employs approximately 130 full-time professional employees, and 50 part-time, seasonal, and graduate student employees.

UMDI has been tasked to: (a) help increase capacity for the Office of Head Start (OHS) Regional Offices (RO) in the determination, tracking, and management of the federal interest in Head Start (HS) and Early Head Start (EHS) grantee facilities nationwide; and (b) provide technical assistance in the funding of safe and healthy facilities for HS children through the Real Property Facilities Initiative (RPFI). The Real Properties Facilities Initiative Data Management Analyst (RPFI-DMA) will collaborate with RPFI staff, to include staff from partnering organizations, in the creation of processes that will enhance the capacity of the team to manage data and reporting across the twelve OHS regions. The RPFI-DMA may be located anywhere in the US and may be required to maintain a home office. The RPFI-DMA will communicate and work with RPFI and UMass staff, and sponsor organizations.

The RPFI-DMA is responsible for developing, managing, analyzing, processing and maintaining RPFI data systems. The RPFI-DMA will be responsible for overseeing and further developing RPFI data systems, maintaining the integrity of data systems and generating reports. This position has a heavy focus on activities related to data collection, analysis, and reporting of findings as required by the RPFI.

Essential Functions

The essential functions of the RPFI Data Management Analyst include, but are not limited to the following:

• Actively contribute to conceptualization and development of sound research plans and work plans.
• Provide oversight in the management and tracking of all RPFI data management systems.
• Monitor progress relative to project work plans and timelines in collaboration with project team members.
• Coordinate logistical support for primary data collection, including collaborating with the Office of Head Start (OHS), the Office of Grants Management and regional offices to ensure timely and accurate data collection.
• Coordinate the collection of RPFI data research and generate reports in coordination with RPFI Leadership, OHS, and Regional Office established timelines on an ongoing basis.
• Conduct and oversee data entry, data management, and quality assurance protocols.
• Develop, maintain and implement RPFI data management procedures for effective data management as needed.
• Work with RPFI administrative staff to produce, maintain, and update data tracking reports with narratives as required by the RPFI.
• Conduct analysis of quantitative and qualitative data of RPFI research and generate real-time data reports that include data dashboards as requested by RPFI Leadership and partnering organizations.
• Provide ongoing training and technical support for RPFI staff in all areas required to ensure staff are on a continuum of moving toward proficiency in the use of RPFI and federal database systems. This may include designing and facilitating data management training sessions for RPFI staff.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the integrity of data being input into RPFI data systems that could affect analytical results.
• Develop data management strategies and make recommendations as needed for the continuous improvement of RPFI data management.
• Manage all incoming regional data files including linking regional data tracking systems that support the RPFI Master Tracking Smartsheet.
• Ensure rules and procedures for data sharing are in alignment with RPFI policies.
• Assist with recognizing and upholding digital security systems to protect the integrity of the data information.
• Stay current on upgrades and features that improve existing data systems.
• Develop and/or acquire instruments and training protocols to support primary data collection activities.
• Produce high-level professional data reports that include visualization and narrative descriptive summaries that support the delivery of project deliverables.

Other Functions

• Participate in regular weekly/monthly virtual and occasional on-site team meetings.
• Participate in business unit and UMDI-wide initiatives as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Sociology, Public Health, Public Policy, Psychology or related disciplines.
• A minimum of 3+ years’ experience in data management or analysis.
• Demonstrated proficiency in professional office software, including Microsoft applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Smartsheet.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, work independently as well as engage in collaborative research in a team setting.
• High levels of accuracy and organization, and the necessity to meet deadlines working in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to analyze, manage and organize large amounts of data.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and recognize situations in which confidentiality is required.
• Ability to facilitate data presentations, i.e. in person or via a virtual platform.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s degree in Education, Sociology, Public Health, Public Policy, Psychology or related disciplines.
• Experience with statistical software such as Stata, SPSS, R, or SAS.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• May be required to maintain a home office, with a physically safe workspace that is an appropriate location for the telework, with high-speed internet access, sufficiently free of distractions. During remote work time, must be available for on-going contact with members of the team.
• Multiple hours sitting and using office equipment and computers.
• Travel may be required to attend meetings and professional development/training throughout the US. The employee will be exposed to outside environmental conditions during travel times.
• Must be able to transport and set up equipment and materials weighing up to 20 lbs.
• The physical/mental demands and work environment factors described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Additional Details

This position is funded by grants and contracts, and is contingent upon funding. This is a full time benefited position. No relocation assistance provided. The successful candidate must live in the United States, however, the position may be home-based.

Work Schedule

Standard full-time work schedule consisting of five, eight-hour days and 40 hours each workweek. Work performed in addition to the regular work hours may be necessary, and may require a change in availability at specific times, to accommodate for variations in work demands.

Salary Information

Level: 27

Exempt Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with your application, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Jan 8 2021 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: