Research & Evaluation Manager

CHS Central Office - Hershey, PA

Full-Time

The Research and Evaluation Manager is part of the CHS Central Office team, reporting to the Senior Director of Programs. This individual will direct and monitor all research-related projects at the centers. The Research and Evaluation Manager must effectively utilize research evidence to inform and bolster the Center's strategic planning process. In addition to supporting the Center-wide application of strategic priorities, the individual must also support emergent programmatic needs by applying research to new and existing programs, policies, procedures, services, and operations in alignment with strategic goals.

The Research and Evaluation Manager will also be heavily involved in managing the collection and evaluation of data across CHS Centers to inform the achievement of the CHS Comprehensive Outcomes and Success Metrics. They will work with the CHS Evaluation Partner to understand best practices and systems for data to be collected from each center using data-collection resources and tools and will ensure metrics are being informed by data and reported out accordingly. This individual will track launch metrics, children and family metrics, community metrics, and operational health metrics. Starting salary is in the range of $55,936 - $74,675 a year, based on expertise.

Responsibilities:

Working with the Senior Director of Programs to facilitate the implementation of an annual applied research agenda, based on CHS needs
Working with the CHS Evaluation Partner to understand best practices and systems for data collection
Tracking CHS launch metrics, children and family metrics, community metrics, and operational health metrics
Initiating research with emphasis on gaps in existing data on child development practices
Determining the best methods for conducting applied research projects
Providing the Center’s leadership with information to support decision-making, articulation of priorities, and support for the implementation of strategies
Completing research projects and developing strategies to enhance collaboration across Centers
Consulting on Center-specific research issues
Engaging stakeholders as needed to solve practical problems, and providing the necessary linkages between data-driven decisions, staff responsibilities and student outcomes
Facilitating inter-departmental/divisional collaboration by articulating research findings and creating a common language and dialogue around the conditions necessary for success
Collaborating with key stakeholders to review research findings and develop recommendations for action plans, professional development, interventions, or other identified next steps based on findings
Staying in contact with educational child development organizations to understand best practices
Acting as the School's IRB liaison regarding decisions about proposed research projects, which takes into account research projects completed by members of the CHS community involved with continuing education
Providing research-driven consultation to administrators and stakeholders as needed for strategic programming purposes
Developing strategies that encourage Center-wide understanding, buy-in, and usage of the results
Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data
Directing and monitoring contracted services by qualified professionals for student and program research
Conducting recurring reviews of current literature (e.g., child development, poverty, social psychology, etc.), summarizing, and distributing findings; conducting sessions with CHS to discuss how to implement these findings
Upholding the highest professional ethical standards of research and consultation, which are consistent with national and state professional guidelines for research (i.e., APA Ethical Principles, Chapter 41 State Board of Psychology: Pennsylvania Code) to ensure the ethical treatment of student and staff research participants, integrity of data, and accurate reporting of information

Requirements:

Master’s degree in education, psychology, or related field that requires coursework in research methodology and scholarly activity
3-5 years of research experience in an education related environment
Ability to showcase a sample research brief
Experience in research around low-income communities (preferred)
Membership in a professional organization that demands the highest professional ethical standards of research consultation and demonstrate a history of consistency with the national and state professional guidelines
Ability to conduct applied research using sophisticated quantitative and qualitative research methodology and statistical software
Ability to independently initiate, design, organize, and coordinate applied research and evaluation projects with the anticipation of broad dissemination and/or scholarly publication of findings
Skills and abilities necessary to facilitate inter-departmental/ divisional collaboration
Experience with Institutional Review Board protocols and process
Ability to clearly articulate research findings, inform, educate, and resource the office so as to build synergy around the strategic priorities identified as necessary for student success
Familiarity with Financial Budget Systems, SASI, Electronic Medical Records, UltiPro, SPSS, Survey Monkey, and Blackbaud software
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
Responsible, enthusiastic, and cares about working in a mission-driven organization
Ability to proactively identify problems and implement solutions
Willingness to be held accountable and receive feedback
Comfortability with technology including MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and/or willingness to learn
Exceptional interpersonal skills including the ability to influence, lead, and educate teams
Commitment to the mission and values of CHS and MHS and demonstrated high degree of integrity as all MHS and CHS staff are considered to be role models for students
U.S. work authorization and successful completion of pre-employment background checks and clearances

Who We Are and What We’re Looking For

At CHS, we are leaders passionate about early childhood education and community betterment. Our work is driven by the desire to endow children with the resources for educational and physical well-being, while supporting and empowering their families. We listen to the needs of our diverse community and adapt to give everyone a voice. We hold each-other accountable for bringing our best and most authentic selves to school every day, creating an environment of mutual respect.

We strive to build a team of individuals that is passionate about our mission, brings in new creative ideas, and loves their work. If this sounds like you, we look forward to seeing your application.

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About Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning

For more than 110 years, Milton Hershey School (MHS) has helped children realize their full potential by offering a top-notch private, cost-free education to students in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade from income-eligible families. To expand and enhance the impact of Milton and Catherine Hershey’s vision, the Boards and management of Milton Hershey School and the Hershey Trust Company are launching the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), a cost-free, non-residential early childhood education program.

CHS plans to open six early childhood education Centers by 2027. The Centers are designed for children from birth to age 5 from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds with the goal of encouraging the development of a child’s educational, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being. The CHS Initiative will provide a focus on core early learning programs through a rigorous and relevant curriculum that is aligned with a mission to nurture and educate enrolled children. Children also will receive supports such as nutritious meals and provisions of supplies, among other early learning enhancements. Finally, CHS will offer integrated support services for families of children enrolled in the Centers. CHS is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning does not discriminate against applicants or employees, in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or use of a guide or support animal because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the user is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.