Evaluation Specialist II

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Professional Research Assistant

Working Title: Evaluation Specialist II

FTE: 1.0

Salary Range: $56,640 - $62,540

Position #00652146 – Requisition #33735

About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We’re the state’s premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top ranked bachelors, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners—at any stage of their life and career—for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

About the School of Education & Human Development

The School of Education & Human Development at the University of Colorado Denver is a statewide and national leader for educational quality, access and equity across the education lifespan, from birth through higher education. Members of the school community have been informing policy and practice while addressing the most important challenges faced by individuals, schools, and communities for more than 50 years. We prepare equity-minded and inclusive educational, community, family, and mental health practitioners, scholars, and leaders dedicated to eradicating inequalities and discrimination. We champion change that leads to well-being, opportunity, and life-long learning in the diverse urban, rural, and global communities that we serve. Our Inclusive Excellence Plan reflects our efforts to ensure that those we serve — diverse in race, ethnicity, economic resources, nationality, language, fluency, ability, geography, first-generation status, age, gender, sexual identity, veteran status, and cultural and faith practice — have access to an excellent education through inclusive practice and scholarship in a climate that is responsive to their needs.

The school’s degree programs engage students in a strategic and interrelated combination of course work and internships in schools, agencies, and community-based organizations. The school offers three doctoral level programs, an educational specialist degree, 13 master’s degrees in multiple program areas, and two undergraduate degrees, along with many licenses, endorsements and certificates. The undergraduate and graduate programs prepare and inspire education and mental health leaders to have a profound impact in fostering student opportunity and statewide achievement and success across rural, urban, and diverse communities. Programs are designed to be highly impactful for working professionals and distance learners with evening, online and hybrid class options.

Community-engaged and global partnerships are the heartbeat of SEHD. Innovative initiatives co-constructed with school districts, community colleges, and service organizations draw upon personnel strengths in education, human well-being, and equity-centered and community-focused research. These partnerships foster and celebrate diverse community voices, relevant student learning opportunities that build careers, positive outcomes for partner institutions, and outstanding research publications cited around the world. 

In 2024, SEHD was recognized as the number one graduate online education program in Colorado and among the top graduate education programs in the nation according to U.S. News and World Report .

The School of Education & Human Development's strategic plan outlines its commitment to academic excellence, inclusive practices, and community engagement. It emphasizes fostering innovation in teaching, research, and service to meet the evolving needs of students and society. The plan seeks to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion across all aspects of the university's operations to create a more vibrant and equitable learning environment. To read the full statement, click here: https://education.ucdenver.edu/about-us/strategic-plan

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

·       The Evaluation Center takes pride in providing a meaningful, supportive, and collaborative work environment. We are housed within the School of Education and Human Development and operate as a separate, autonomous, not-for-profit entity with the backing of a major research university. This unique situation allows the Center to operate independently and to provide external evaluation services to clients aligned with our vision and mission both inside and outside of the University. Our clients include nonprofit organizations, public education, higher education, and state and federally funded programs.

·       We believe that as evaluators we have a responsibility to conduct evaluation that is in service of equity. Equity is the absence of unfair, avoidable, or repairable differences among different groups of people. Equity can only be achieved when individuals and organizations take action toward eliminating barriers such as poverty and repairing injustices in systems such as education, housing, judicial, and public health. Our efforts related to equity are guided by three principles: 

·       We utilize and implement culturally responsive and appropriate evaluation practices in our work.

·       We are committed to supporting projects that work to advance equity within communities.    

·       We strive to create and foster a diverse and inclusive workspace.

Our Vision

Improved lives and communities through high quality evaluation.

Mission Statement

We strive to make evaluation a valued and widely accepted practice by increasing the use and understanding of evaluation. We collaborate with our clients to support evidence-informed programs, practices, and policies in schools, institutions of higher education, governmental agencies, and nonprofit organizations. 

Guiding Principles:

·       We value high quality, ethically defensible, culturally responsive evaluation practices.

·       We strive to understand the context and communities in which we work.

·       We use rigorous and innovative quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods.

·       We help clients obtain and use information to make informed decisions about the implementation and effectiveness of their programs and policies.

·       We make evaluation meaningful and accessible to multiple audiences.

·       We support the development of evaluation capacity and its use within institutions and organizations.

·       We provide real world evaluation opportunities for graduate students to apply coursework and gain evaluation expertise.

·       We advocate for the value and use of evaluation by a wide range of stakeholders.

·       Our work advances the field of evaluation.

About the Position

This position will support The Center’s overall project portfolio, with a focus on supporting quantitative data analyses for two current projects: a) the Colorado Prosecutorial Dashboards project (analyzing data from a case management system that captures criminal case processes and outcomes) and b) Colorado 988 crisis line (analyzing data from a case management system that captures data from call/chat/text and associated outcomes, including mobile crisis response). 

The Evaluation Specialist II collaborates and supports project teams and colleagues as assigned. They will work with a dynamic team to develop and implement innovative program evaluations. They may take on tasks independently with direction of other staff members and may engage with clients under the supervision of more senior staff. They are accountable to project teams and colleagues and responsible for managing their own time effectively and identifying when they can support additional work.  

The Evaluation Specialist II engages in full team events and initiatives and actively participates in internal workgroups. They actively contribute to valuing all team members, ensuring all are treated respectfully, and creating a sense of belonging. They put the needs of the team first and consistently seek to understand the perspectives of others.

Examples of work performed

·       Responsibilities will include:

·       Merging, cleaning, and analyzing quantitative data, including descriptive analyses and regression.

·       Identifying key takeaways from data analyses, and creating narrative summarizes and data visualizations. Synthesizing results into clear, concise messages.

·       Writing a wide variety of reports (technical, visual, infographic, etc.)

·       Developing data dashboards.

·       Organizing and maintaining project documentation, materials, and information.

·       Co-presenting evaluation findings to clients and collaborators alongside senior project staff.

·       Completing other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

·       Reports to a designated Senior Evaluator and the Executive Director in The Evaluation Center 

·       Identifies their professional learning needs and growth opportunities with the support of a more senior team member

·       Actively engages as a mentee in mentorship opportunities

·       Serves as an advocate for no more than one Graduate Assistant at a time.

Supervision Exercised

·       Has no supervisory responsibilities

·       Relevant bachelor’s degree + 5 - 6 years relevant experience or

·       Relevant master's degree + 2 - 3 years of experience as evaluator or

·       2 – 3 years of experience leading analyses of large quantitative datasets, including analyzing nested (hierarchical) data and associated software (SPSS, Stata, R, etc.)

·       An advanced degree in program evaluation or a related field.

·       Experience developing data dashboards and demonstrated experience working with associated software (Power BI, Tableau, etc.)

·       Experience handing and extracting data from relational databases. Knowledge of programming languages like Python or SQL for data manipulation and analysis.

·       Familiarity with project topic areas (criminal justice, crisis services, and/or mental health systems)

·       Demonstrated expertise writing professional reports for different audiences and other tailored evaluation deliverables

·       Able to attend regular in person meetings, data collection efforts in person in Colorado; must be willing to travel within the State of Colorado.

·       Strong understanding of research methodologies and the ability to design effective evaluation studies.

·       Proficient in conducting quantitative analyses to evaluate program reach and effectiveness.

·       Excellent writing and verbal communication skills; ability to tailor written, visual and verbal presentations to different audiences as appropriate

·       Skill using various software for data analyses and data visualization (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R, Tableau, etc.)

·       Ability and desire to be a competent, contributing member of a dynamic team; a high level of integrity and personal ethics

·       A solid work ethic, and is dependable and focused

·       Outstanding organization and time management skills, and is detail oriented

·       Ability to develop task lists and timelines in response to established deadlines

·       Self-motivated and able to work on multiple projects simultaneously without direct supervision

·       An appreciation for collaboration and teamwork

·       Proficiency with Microsoft products

·       Ability to become readily adept with new technological systems and solutions

·       Demonstrated commitment to professional development

As of 7/1/2023, The University of Colorado recommends employees be fully vaccinated from the COVID-19, but is not required. COVID recommendations and information can be found at: https://www.ucdenver.edu/coronavirus

The Evaluation Center offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement. Staff members can work a consistent weekly schedule that includes a combination of in-person and remote days.   

The salary range (or hiring range ) for this position has been established at $56,640 - $62,540, commensurate with experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range ) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

CU Denver offers a competitive benefits package including paid holidays, vacation (4 weeks per year), and sick leave (3 weeks per year); insurance covering medical, dental, and vision, and retirement plans with generous matches. See the full benefits offered here.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by May 29, 2024. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered. 

To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

·       A cover letter which specifically addresses the job requirements and outlines qualifications

·       A current CV/resume

·       List of three references (we will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references)

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at [email protected] ​.

The University of Colorado Denver is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting diverse faculty and staff. The university strives to promote a culture of inclusiveness, respect, communication and understanding. We encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, persons with disabilities, persons within the LGBTQ+ community, and veterans. The University of Colorado is committed to diversity and equity in education and employment.

Questions about the position should be directed to Allyssa Mastroni, [email protected]

Questions about the application process should be directed to SEHD HR, [email protected]