The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), Maryland’s higher education coordinating board, seeks a Research and Policy Analyst for the Research team. The analyst is responsible for analyzing statistical data, preparing information reports, and aiding in statewide data projects that inform statewide policy and practice. A successful candidate should have 3-5 years of work experience in data analysis or policy work, depending on the degree earned. Professional experience in basic statistical methodologies (e.g., descriptive statistics, regression, statistical tests, ANOVA). Professional experience with Stata (preferred), SPSS, R, or other software. Demonstrated experience with data cleaning, conducting data quality checks and creating accessible documentation. Excellent communication skills as well as strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail, flexibility to manage multiple priorities, sometimes simultaneously, under deadlines.
GRADE
State Salary Grade 18
Annual Salary Range: $58,588.00 – $76,300.00/year with progression to $94,280.00
LOCATION OF POSITION
6 N. Liberty Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
TELEWORK ELIGIBLE
Yes, Hybrid
Main Purpose Of Job
The Research Analyst is responsible for analyzing statistical data, preparing information reports, and handling research-related assignments. These efforts provide information that form the basis for Commission decisions regarding statewide higher education policy, and inform several of the Governor’s and Lt. Governor’s high-priority initiatives.
POSITION DUTIES
The Research Analyst is responsible for analyzing statistical data, preparing information reports, and handling research-related assignments. The position is responsible for aiding in statewide data projects that support the Governor’s education agenda, supporting reporting and analysis, writing research reports, and using statistical techniques to analyze large statewide and national data sets. These efforts provide important information that serve as the basis for decisions regarding statewide higher education policy, and advise and inform key stakeholders such as the Secretary of Higher Education, Governor’s Office, General Assembly, Department of Budget and Management, Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center, and others.
The Research Analyst
• Prepares information reports and studies about current higher education topics. These include mandated reports, annual reports, and ad hoc research reports and may be requested by the Commission and the Secretary. • Responds to requests for statistical data, both from members of the Commission staff and from external audiences, including the campuses, other state agencies, Maryland businesses, the general public, and out-of- state educational organizations. • Plans and organizes procedures for coding, tabulating and analyzing data, drawing appropriate conclusions and recommendations as indicated. • Completes special projects and assignments requested by the Director, including work related to the Commission’s performance accountability report, Managing for Results submission, enrollment projections, and annual Data Book publication. • Conducts research and analysis of policy-relevant post-secondary education issues and summarizes findings.• Applicants should have strong writing, communication, and analytical skills. • Applicants should also be abreast of current issues in higher education, and have experience managing projects with fixed deadlines, working collaboratively as part of a team, and assisting with interagency work groups.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Nine years of experience in administrative staff or professional work. One year of this experience must have involved one or more of the following: the supervision of other employees, overseeing and coordinating the general operations of a unit, applying rules and regulations, or exercising responsibility for the development of policies or procedures.Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and five years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience. One year of this experience must have involved one or more of the following: the supervision of other employees, overseeing and coordinating the general operations of a unit, applying rules and regulations, or exercising responsibility for the development of policies or procedures.2. Candidates may substitute additional graduate level education at an accredited college or university at the rate of 30 credit hours on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS
• One year of professional knowledge and experience with Stata (preferred), SPSS, SAS,R, or other statistical package. • One year work experience across several areas of basic statistical methodologies (e.g., descriptive statistics, GLM/regression, statistical tests, analysis of variance). • Nine (9) post-secondary credit hours, or the equivalent credit hours in research methodology and/or applied/theoretical statisticsDESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS• Possession of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, economics, higher education) from an accredited college or university.• At least one year of experience in data analysis in education, higher education, government, or public policy. • Experience writing policy reports. • Knowledge and experience working with Power BI or other data visualization tools.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.
BENEFITS
STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS (https://dbm.maryland.gov/jobseekers/Pages/BenefitsEmployment.aspx)
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.A without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).
Online applications are highly recommended. To apply for this position online, please submit your materials at https://jobapscloud.com/MD/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=22&R2=002588&R3=0035. If you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.
Applicants must provide sufficient information on the application to document that they satisfy the minimum qualifications for this recruitment and it is strongly suggested you submit a cover letter and resume. Please do not put “See Resume” in the job duties section of your application; your application will not be considered. Strategic use of key words that appear in the posting are strongly recommended.
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the hiring manager Dr. Barbara Schmertz at barbara.schmertz@maryland.gov.