Background: The Center for Optimized Student Support (COSS) at Boston College uses research and
data to identify and evaluate strategies that successfully transform schools and communities into
systems of opportunity for all students. We conduct interdisciplinary research that builds on the
strengths of both science and practice to understand what it takes to produce a true opportunity for all.
COSS houses the City Connects intervention, an innovative and evidence-based approach to
addressing the out-of-school factors that can impact students’ achievement and thriving in schools.
Implemented in over 90 schools across six states, City Connects engages districts, schools, and
partnering community agencies to connect every student to a tailored set of supports and enrichments
in the school and community.
Core Responsibilities:
- Serve as a senior researcher for planning and conducting evaluations:
Work with stakeholders to develop comprehensive evaluation plans that identify and
prioritize evaluation activities
Identify and develop appropriate evaluation strategies as projects and initiatives evolve
Identify and assess existing data sources for their potential use in program evaluation
Collect data using qualitative and/or quantitative approaches such as interviews, group
processes, participant observation, surveys, electronic data files, or other methods
Develop measures and monitoring techniques to evaluate intervention fidelity and
effectiveness
Conduct statistical analyses with detailed written documentation that ensures analytic
reproducibility
Produce audience-specific evaluation reports and presentations. This may include
developing data visualizations to enhance the accessibility of findings - Respond to internal and external data requests to articulate and interpret results and address
questions related to program performance - Contribute to the development of grant proposals
- Mentor junior staff to increase quantitative and qualitative analytic capacity
- Enhance the quality, relevance, and usefulness of the Center’s evaluation work
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. degree in Education, Evaluation and Measurement, Psychology, Developmental
- Science, Social Work, Sociology, Public Policy, or a related field
- Excellent knowledge of the development of evaluation plans, various evaluation designs (e.g.,
- non-experimental, experimental, quasi-experimental), and the development and use of logic
- models to describe complex programsDemonstrated ability to understand the context of a program and how it affects program
- planning, implementation, outcomes, and the evaluation
- Advanced proficiency in conducting analyses using proper analytic tools for quantitative (e.g.,
- STATA, SPSS, R) and/or qualitative (e.g., Nvivo, Atlas.ti) data
- Be committed to and passionate about opportunities to promote child and youth development
- through systematic student support in schools
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least 3 years of relevant post-doctoral work experience leading, managing, and
- collaborating on evaluation projects
- Ability to identify and integrate equity strategies to the evaluation design, creation, and
- reporting
- A systems-level thinker with the ability to critically assess data and determine possible
- solutions to improve outcomes and build capacity systematically, analytically, and logically
- Experience in project management
Skills and Abilities:
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work productively with stakeholders, engage
- with diverse partners and facilitate joint problem solving
- Excellent oral and written communication skills to clearly communicate assessment and
- evaluation findings orally and in writing to a diverse group of stakeholders with different
- backgrounds
- Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team to plan and conduct evaluations
- Exceptional organization skills and ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects with
- careful attention to detail
- Commitment to ensuring that evaluation activities are done in an equitable and culturally
- competent manner
- Self-motivated, proactive, and adaptable
Application Requirements:
- Cover Letter addressing reasons for engaging in this work
- Resume
- A writing sample that demonstrates evaluation or analysis skills
Applicants should apply for this job here: Job Link
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment
without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, marital
status, or sexual orientation. Acknowledging the importance of diverse perspectives, we are
committed to employing individuals from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences.
Members of historically marginalized communities and candidates who have been impacted by the
systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply.