BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of the Director of Strategic Initiatives, the Assistant Director of Research coordinates with school and district leadership to increase data literacy, adoption of data systems and tools, and anticipate evolving needs of staff in their understanding of program impact, research practices, data analysis, and continuous improvement. Assistant Director of Research leads data analysts in their design, implementation, and promotion of data visualizations. They will support the district's planning and ideation processes for KSD strategic initiatives through qualitative and quantitative data analysis for effective program evaluation practices that enable the district to deepen its understanding of the impact of its practices, processes, procedures, and policies. This role also supports services including but not limited to the development and calculation of indicators in the district's progress monitoring systems; the coordination of district educational research initiatives; partnership in governing the district research request process; assisting in the monitoring and maintaining of district data sharing agreements; as well as supervising the staff assigned to the Research team.
Criteria for Initial Step Placement on the Schedule
Initial placement shall be made by Human Resources on Step 1 unless employee has previous "like and kind" experience then, years of experience credit may be considered for placement.

Advancement: All professional and technical employees will move incrementally over one salary schedule step each year. Step advances are only made once a year effective September 1. To be eligible for such step advancement, an employee must have been in the position by January 31 of the previous school year.


REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.

• Assists the Director of Strategic Initiatives in achieving district objectives and carrying out policies established by the superintendent and board of directors in successfully preparing all students for their futures.
• Leads analyses of student and institutional data using statistical techniques and collaborates with data services, information technology, and other staff as needed.
• Assists the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the identification and consideration of research initiatives, including the development and implementation of large and small-scale program evaluations replete with examination, scrutiny, and analysis.
• Coordinates governing aspects of the district research request review meetings in partnership with the Director of Strategic Initiatives and completes review of research proposals to inform committee considerations and/or recommendations.
• Assists in the authoring, review, and/or execution of district data sharing agreements, including alignment to relevant data privacy requirements (FERPA).
• Assists in the determination of the most effective methods for data collection, analysis, and reporting; employs expertise to develop effective data reporting tools; and designs and implements district training for use of relevant software and evaluation instruments.
• Supports the implementation and evaluation of system goals and objectives as they pertain to strategic project, program, and portfolio management; research; data utilization, interpretation, and visualization needs.
• Supports the revision and curation of policies and procedures in response to the evolving legislative landscape and administrative regulations impacting public education and needs of the system.
• Provides coaching for school and department data teams on innovations in data analysis and dashboard techniques.
• Supervises data analysts in their use of data to create models that depict district trends across instruction and operation.
• Remains current on research in education, state, and federal accountability standards and trends in data utilization; and serves as a resource to the department and district staff in these areas.
• Attends workshops, conferences, and seminars related to the work; reads current professional publications.
• Assists the Director of Strategic Initiatives in designing and conducting studies and models for program evaluation to support the district's continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serves as a member of a cross-departmental research and data team.
• Maintains a positive working relationship with OSPI, membership with Washington Educational Research Association (WERA), and other relevant professional organizations as applicable.
• Follows a planned professional growth program; participates actively in local, state, and national professional associations/organizations; and studies local, state, and national guidelines for effective educational research practices.
• Reviews work to assure compliance with established standards, requirements, and procedures; takes the necessary steps to ensure smooth and timely service to all employees; demonstrates growth mindset, initiative, follow through and detailed orientation to task completion.
• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, and files; prepares agendas and memos.
• Develops and implements long- and short-term plans and activities.
• Assures accurate and timely dissemination of information.
• Supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel; coordinates the work assignments and training of assigned personnel; reviews work to assure compliance with established standards, requirements, and procedures; takes the necessary steps to ensure smooth and timely service to all employees.
• Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, statistics, or related field.
• Four (4) years of supervisory or administrative work experience may be considered in lieu of Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of two (2) years of successful professional experience in educational administration, statistics, research methods and/or other job-related occupation with significant experience in digital strategy and project management.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in a school district setting.
• Minimum of 3 years or equivalent multi/cross functional leadership experience.
• Knowledge of effective research, data visualization, data utilization concepts.
• Experience managing a high-performing team and developing less experienced team members (with or without formal reporting relationships)
• Oral and written mastery of English including usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and composition.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's or Doctorate degree in education, psychology, statistics, or related field with two years of supervisory experience; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability required to perform the work.
• Proven successful experience in urban public education.
• Proven successful experience in an ethnically diverse public school district.
• Washington District Administrative Credential.

Must have valid driver's license and automobile available for use.
Must be willing to attend evening and weekend meetings.


REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, trends, goals, and objectives of public education.
• Effective principles and practices of leadership theory and management methods.
• Best practices and technical aspects of educational research methods.
• Data visualization best practices and software (Tableau).
• Research methods and report writing techniques.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and case law related to assigned activities.
• District organization, operations, policies, and procedures. Educational and business technology programs, procedures and methods, computer equipment, and computer software necessary to perform required duties.
• Budget preparation and control.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and administer assigned areas of responsibility.
• Administer assigned budgets and allocate funds.
• Demonstrate leadership qualities and utilize motivational techniques and strategies in the development of an operational mode that is collaborative and cost effective.
• Display results and data interpretations graphically using data visualization software.
• Operate technology hardware and software necessary to perform assigned duties/responsibilities.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Write in a clear and concise manner for broad public appeal and interpretation.
• Present complex statistical information to groups using nontechnical explanations.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion; promote consensus in groups of individuals with diverse interests and values.
• Facilitate and promote collaborative decision-making; facilitate conflict resolution.
• Coordinate and supervise the work of others.
• Analyze complex situations and synthesize diverse information carefully and adopt an effective course of action.
• Interpret, apply, and explain administrative and board policies, laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements that pertain to human resources management.
• Work independently with minimum direction and supervision; work under pressure.
• Understand, analyze, and prepare comprehensive, narrative, and statistical reports.
• Use effective customer service skills to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with district personnel, community members, and external companies and agencies in the course of performing assigned duties.
• Exhibit cultural competency and sensitivity with the ability to communicate effectively with all cultural groups in the organization.
• Evaluate the performance of assigned staff.

Allowable Substitutions: Any combination of experience and training which provide the incumbent/applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work, as determined by the district. Qualifying work experience, as identified by the assistant superintendent/chief human resources officer, may substitute for the education preference beyond a bachelor's degree.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Environment:

• District office environment and department/school sites.
• Demanding timelines.
• Subject to driving to a variety of locations to conduct work during day and evening hours.
• Subject to frequent interruptions and extensive contact with students, staff, parents, and public.
• Indoor and outdoor environment.

Physical demands:

• Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching, and reaching to retrieve and maintain files and records.
• Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment, computer keyboard, and other equipment necessary to complete the required duties.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone.
• Visual ability to read, and to prepare/process documents and to monitor various services and personnel.
• Sitting for extended periods.
• Standing for extended periods.
• Walking over rough or uneven surfaces.
• Climbing, occasional use of stepladders.
• Physical activity may be required, which could include moderate lifting.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Hazards:

• Extended viewing of computer monitor.
• Working around and with office equipment having moving parts.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Kent School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Division of Human Resources.