Director of Research and Policy

The Education Trust--West (ETW) seeks a full-time Director of Research and Policy to supervise ETW’s team of data and policy analysts working to provide critical analyses of California initiatives relevant to closing the achievement and opportunity gaps that plague California's schools. The Director of Research and Policy will manage existing research projects, while advancing the work of ETW as a leading agent in identifying and closing achievement and opportunity gaps for California's low-income, Latino, African-American and Native American students.

The Education Trust—West works for the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, kindergarten through college, and forever closing the achievement gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other youth. Our basic tenet is this — All children will learn at high levels when they are taught to high levels. For more information about EdTrust—West please visit our website at www.edtrustwest.org.

Major Responsibilities:

• Supervise and coordinate activities of data and policy analysis team including strategic goal setting, planning research initiatives, and designing research and data analysis protocols; and,
• Management, oversight and production of EdTrust—West written research publications;

In addition, the Director of Research and Policy will help build and lead a team responsible for:

• Researching and writing synopses and reports;
• Analyzing and summarizing education data and policy relevant to the existence and causes of achievement and opportunity gaps;
• Analyzing and summarizing current education research, policy and data publications;
• Tracking and reviewing the latest research and policy developments on a broad range of topics, including standards-based reform, inequitable distribution of resource/opportunities in California public education, policies and practices of highly successful schools, No Child Left Behind implementation, teacher quality, education funding, and English Language learning, and career technical education;
• Managing relationships and ongoing projects with outside consultants and with multiple external data sources;
• Researching, analyzing and tracking education-related legislation and policy issues;
• Production and presentation of data and policy information for various audiences;
• Responding to requests made from inside and outside of the organization for data and policy information; and,
• Contribute to the writing of press statements, press releases and website materials.
• Proactively generating new ideas and grant proposals expanding EdTrust—West’s use of data for research and advocacy;

Qualifications and Experience:

• A passion for ETW mission;
• A doctorate or master’s degree or equivalent in education research, education policy, or related fields (e.g., statistics, sociology, etc.);
• A mix of strong analytical, research, and oral communication skills;
• Excellent writing ability and ability to communicate research results to a diverse audience;
• Proficiency with large data sets, as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
• Ability to work well under tight deadline pressure and to manage multiple projects and staff;
• Multitask oriented;
• Self-starter, require little supervision;
• Experience supervising employees, with a strong nature for team building;
• Strong management skills and ability to work well with a wide range of people;
• Ability and interest in mentoring others;
• Familiarity with major sources of education data, especially those focused on California data;
• Creativity and initiative to seek out new approaches and contacts;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Willingness to travel inside and outside California (must posses a drivers license);
• Serious-minded, highly motivated; and,
• Fluency in Spanish highly desirable.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience, within the parameters of the Education Trust compensation scale. EXCELLENT benefits package provided.

Application Process

Cover letter, resume, 2-3 page writing sample (a selection from a larger paper is fine), inquiries, and referrals should be emailed (in the text of an email or as a Microsoft Word attachment) to DirectorRP@edtrustwest.org: or faxed to 510-465-0859.

*** NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES, PLEASE!***

The Education Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity in all facets of the organization’s work.