Evaluation Associate/Senior Evaluation Associate (K-12 Evaluation)

The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential. Job Summary: Are you passionate about evaluation as a tool for social change? Do you enjoy tackling complex questions, working collaboratively with partners, and finding practical ways to turn data into useful information? The Center for Research Evaluation (CERE) at the University of Mississippi is seeking an Evaluation Associate or Senior Evaluation Associate to join our K–12 Evaluation team. In this role, you will help design and lead meaningful evaluation and applied research projects with school districts, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, university partners, and other organizations working to improve educational opportunities and outcomes. CERE is an independent evaluation center at the University of Mississippi that works with partners across Mississippi and throughout the nation. Our work goes beyond collecting and reporting data. We collaborate closely with clients to understand the questions that matter to them, design rigorous and practical approaches for answering those questions, and translate findings into information they can use for learning and decision making. This is an open-rank position, and the selected candidate will be appointed at the Evaluation Associate or Senior Evaluation Associate level based on the candidate's education, relevant experience, demonstrated skills, and qualifications. The position is expected to work from the University of Mississippi's Oxford campus. Travel may be required to support project activities, including travel within Mississippi and elsewhere in the United States. CERE's work is highly collaborative, and Evaluation Associates/Senior Evaluation Associates typically manage multiple evaluation projects simultaneously. Candidates should be comfortable working across projects and content areas, managing competing priorities, and adapting evaluation approaches to different client and program contexts. Job Description: Our Ideal Candidate: We are looking for someone who is curious, collaborative, and excited about using evaluation to address meaningful questions in K–12 education. Strong candidates will be comfortable working with both quantitative and qualitative methods and thinking critically about how to match evaluation approaches to the needs of different programs, partners, and contexts. Just as important, we are looking for someone who values the relationships that makegood evaluation possible. CERE works closely with clients and partners throughout the evaluation process, so this role requires someone who can listen well, communicate clearly, facilitate productive conversations, and translate complex information into findings that are useful to technical and nontechnical audiences. The person in this role will manage and contribute to multiple projects at the same time, working collaboratively with other CERE staff, students, clients, and project partners. Depending on experience and appointment level, the position may also include leading complex evaluations, managing strategic client relationships, mentoring other evaluation staff, contributing to quality assurance, and supporting proposals and business development. We welcome candidates who bring strong evaluation skills as well as professionals whose experience in education, applied research, data analysis, program improvement, or related fields has prepared them to contribute to this work. Required Qualifications: Evaluation Associate (Starting salary range: $70,000–$79,000) Candidates considered for appointment as an Evaluation Associate should have: At least a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field, such as Measurement, Evaluation, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related field. At least two years of relevant experience. Experience with quantitative and qualitative research or evaluation methods. Demonstrated ability to contribute to or manage evaluation, applied research, or related projects. Experience developing data collection tools and analyzing quantitative and/or qualitative data. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate findings to nontechnical audiences. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively with clients and project teams. Senior Evaluation Associate (Starting salary range: $80,000–$89,000) Candidates considered for appointment as a Senior Evaluation Associate must meet the qualifications above and demonstrate qualifications appropriate for the senior level, including: At least a master’s degree in an appropriate field, such as Measurement, Evaluation, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related field. At least three years of relevant experience. Demonstrated ability to independently design and lead complex evaluation or applied research projects from planning through reporting. Experience developing evaluation designs and scopes of work responsive to client needs. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and strategic client relationships with a high degree of independence. Experience providing quality assurance, mentoring or coaching evaluation or research staff, and/or leading project teams. Experience contributing to proposals, business development, evaluation capacity building, or professional dissemination. Preferred Qualifications: Across either level, preferred qualifications include: A master’s or doctoral degree in an appropriate field, such as Measurement, Evaluation, Education, Psychology, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related field. Experience conducting evaluation or applied research in K–12 education settings. Knowledge of K–12 education systems, programs, policies, or data. Experience working directly with state education agencies, educators, school districts, nonprofit organizations, foundations, or other education partners. Experience with mixed-methods evaluation designs. Strong quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis skills, including experience with statistical or qualitative analysis software. Experience translating evaluation findings into accessible reports, presentations, data visualizations, or other products designed to support decision making. Experience facilitating meetings, presentations, workshops, or data-informed conversations with clients and partners. Experience managing multiple concurrent projects with different timelines, partners, and deliverables. About the Open-Rank Appointment This position may be filled at either the Evaluation Associate or Senior Evaluation Associate level. Candidates need to submit only one application and will be considered for the level that best aligns with their qualifications. Appointment level and salary will be based on the selected candidate’s education, relevant experience, demonstrated evaluation expertise, and level of independence and project leadership. Education alone will not determine rank. Senior-level appointment reflects greater experience and demonstrated ability to independently lead complex evaluation projects, manage strategic client relationships, support the work of other evaluators, and contribute to the broader growth and quality of CERE’s work. Additional Information The position is expected to work from the University of Mississippi's Oxford campus. Travel may be required to support project activities, including travel within Mississippi and elsewhere in the United States. CERE's work is highly collaborative, and Evaluation Associates/Senior Evaluation Associates typically manage multiple evaluation projects simultaneously. Candidates should be comfortable working across projects and content areas, managing competing priorities, and adapting evaluation approaches to different client and program contexts. To Apply If you’d like to join our team, please submit your resume/CV along with a cover letter describing why this role interests you, how your experience has prepared you for the position, and what you would bring to CERE’s K–12 Evaluation team. For additional information and to apply, please visit . You can also learn more about CERE at . Questions may be directed to Dr. Rachel Scott, search committee chair, at . Job Responsibilities: The Evaluation Associate/Senior Evaluation Associate will: Lead and manage evaluation and applied research projects , including developing work plans, coordinating project activities, and ensuring high-quality, timely implementation. Design practical and rigorous evaluation approaches that align evaluation questions, methods, data sources, and deliverables with client and project needs. Develop and implement data collection strategies , including logic models and theories of change, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and other quantitative and qualitative methods. Analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data and conduct literature reviews or other background research to inform evaluation activities and findings. Translate findings into useful information through reports, presentations, data visualizations, briefs, and facilitated conversations designed for technical and nontechnical audiences. Build strong, collaborative relationships with clients and partners and support the use of evaluation findings for learning, improvement, and decision making. Contribute to the quality and growth of CERE’s work through collaboration with colleagues and students, quality assurance, proposals and business development, and other professional or capacity-building activities. Responsibilities will vary based on appointment level. Senior Evaluation Associates are expected to demonstrate greater independence in leading complex projects, managing client relationships, providing quality assurance, mentoring or supporting other staff, and contributing to business development. Education Qualifications: Bachelor's (Required), Master's (Required) Experience: Interview Requirement: Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview. EEO Statement: The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. Background Check Statement: The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check. Join the Ole Miss Family — Build Your Legacy Here!