Status: Full time, exempt
Location: We currently work remotely. We anticipate returning to an SF East Bay office in late
summer where staff will work in-person at least 1 day per week.
Organization
California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy aims to solve the state’s thorny
social and economic problems by conducting rigorous higher education and workforce policy
research. Through our research, we guide decision makers in developing and implementing
policies that bolster equity so every Californian can engage, contribute, and succeed. We
envision a California where our state and regional economies and communities thrive, fueled by
equitable and racially just postsecondary and workforce outcomes. California Competes benefits
from the expertise of our highly respected, bipartisan Leadership Council, which comprises
current and former public officials, business executives, and community leaders from across the
state.
Our diverse staff brings decades of experience in higher education and public policy. We work
statewide and travel across the country to research and advocate for a higher education system
that provides opportunities for all Californians.
With an organizational budget of approximately $1M annually, California Competes is a fiscally
sponsored project of Community Partners. For more information, please visit california
competes.org.
Position
Reporting to our Executive Director, the Senior Researcher will be one of our in-house research
experts, designing and managing research projects, gathering and analyzing data, preparing
research reports, developing presentations, and collaborating with partner organizations. The
role requires someone whose passion for answering critical research questions using rigorous
research methods is matched by a deep interest in higher education and workforce policy. To
join our team the successful candidate will need to be wildly curious, self-directed, and a team
player.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with Executive Director and other senior researcher to develop and
implement the organization’s research agenda
● Manage large and often complex research projects that may involve other organizations
● Design and lead qualitative research projects, including:
identifying appropriate research method to address research question at hand
○ managing research teams
○ developing and administering surveys
○ developing focus group and interview protocols
○ recruiting research participants
● Conduct qualitative research analysis, including:
○ conducting fieldwork, including focus groups and interviews
○ rigorously analyzing qualitative data, including qualitative survey data, interview
and focus group transcripts, primary and secondary documents
● Develop, in partnership with the team, reports, briefs, presentations, and proposals
● Conduct literature reviews and syntheses
● Interact with collaborators and project partners to identify research opportunities and to
evaluate the policy implications of findings
● Develop strong working relationships with institutional researchers for the UC, CSU, and
CCC systems
● Develop data documentation manuals or other learning materials, as needed
● Guide and work collaboratively with the team
● Manage and guide work of other staff, contractors, interns, and graduate student
researchers,
● Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
Relevant education, experience, and knowledge
● Master’s degree in Sociology, Education, Public Policy, or closely related field with
qualitative research training and 10 years of work experience; or PhD in Sociology,
Education, Public Policy, or closely related field with qualitative research training.
● Demonstrated knowledge of current issues in higher education policy
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presenting complex findings
to lay audiences
Research expertise
● Demonstrated expertise in designing and leading research projects
● Demonstrated expertise in qualitative research analysis
● Demonstrated experience in reporting qualitative findings and producing research
reports
Racial and social justice orientation
● Recognizes ways that race and ethnicity, gender, and other identities intersect in
postsecondary access and success
● Understands the historical context for racial inequity and its present-day implications,
and is driven to make creative and concrete changes through advancing systemic change
through strategic communications
● Deeply believes that racial equity and social justice are important and is comfortable
communicating about race and ethnicity, gender, and other identities in plain
(non-euphemistic) and specific terms
● Able to hear, reflect, and act on feedback regarding identity and equity with the aim to
learn
Work orientation
● Creative, intellectually-curious self-starter with a strong work ethic, high standards,
integrity, and a commitment to excellence
● Demonstrated ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and manage time well
● Demonstrated professional level of attention to detail and accuracy of work
● A team player with a diplomatic, professional manner, and a sense of humor
Additional Desired Qualifications
Ideal candidates will also have knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:
● Workforce development issues, particularly in employment and training efforts targeted
towards underserved populations
● Ability to lead or support quantitative research projects
Compensation
● Full-time, exempt position
Starting salary range is $100,000-130,000, depending on education and experience
● Medical, dental, and vision benefits; voluntary 403(b) plan
Application Process
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to hiring@californiacompetes.org , with “Senior
Researcher” in the subject line. Review of candidates will begin May 31, 2022 , but we will
continue to review applications until position is filled.
California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy, a project of Community Partners, is
an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the
organization will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a
manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
CALIFORNIA COMPETES: HIGHER EDUCATION FOR A STRONG ECONOMY
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