This position is an exempt position under state and federal law.  This document does not create a contract or any other obligation and employee status remains that of “at will.”

Working Hours:

Working hours for this position consist of a 7.5 hour period daily, exclusive of a 1/2 or 1 hour lunch.  Specific work hours to be agreed upon by the supervisor and employee prior to the onset of employment.

Summary: 

The Director of Assessment, Research, and Planning is a key team member that reports to the SVPAA/Provost and works closely with the college community in leading Institutional Planning efforts. This position directs college-wide strategic planning, institutional research, outcomes assessment, and helps to create a culture of assessment on campus through collaboration.  He/she will provide leadership in identifying data to inform institutional decision-making and monitor institutional effectiveness and viability. He/she will supervise the Coordinators of Institutional Research responsible for the reporting of data, both internal and external in support of college-wide planning and assessment, and for coordinating compliance reports required by governmental agencies. The Director of Assessment, Research, and Planning plays a critical role in linking planning, budgeting, and assessment throughout the College. This position also provides leadership and oversight to the accreditation activities of the College.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Planning
  • Work with the Vice Presidents to assess progress toward and achievement of the College's strategic plan.
  • Coordinate the on-going assessment, improvements, and any revisions to the current strategic plan
  • Coordinate the process for developing a new strategic plan
  • Implement and manage a systematic process to document, monitor, and evaluate institutional effectiveness.

• Institutional Research
  • Provide leadership in identifying data to inform institutional decision-making and monitor institutional effectiveness and viability.
  • Supervise the Coordinators of Institutional Research and provide oversight for reporting to state, regional and federal agencies.
  • Recommend and implement approved changes to the College’s data warehouse and analytics infrastructure for college-wide reporting.
  • Coordinate scheduled national surveys including administration, analysis, and dissemination of results.
  • Coordinate responses to ad hoc requests for information needed to inform strategic planning and external surveys.

• Assessment
  • Design, develop and manage assessment processes that improve the quality and effectiveness of all areas of the College.
  • Lead the Assessment Committee(s) in oversight and evaluation of assessment processes with particular attention to student learning outcomes.
  • Work with faculty and staff to create a culture of continuous improvement of student learning outcomes assessment and program evaluation.

• Accreditation
  • Serve as the institution’s Accreditation Liaison Officer.
  • Coordinate the Middle States Commission reaffirmation of accreditation related reports and processes.

• Committee Assignments
  • Chair the Institutional Planning Council, in consultation with the President.
  • Chair the Assessment Committee(s).
  • Serve as the College’s Accreditation Liaison Officer.
  • Serve, as assigned, to committees of the PA Commission for Community Colleges.
  • Attend other meetings as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervise the Coordinators of Institutional Research. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with College policies, Collective Bargaining Agreements and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and taking corrective action with employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

1. Master’s Degree from an accredited university.
2. At least three years of administrative experience in higher education, preferably in institutional research, planning, and assessment.
3. Experience in student learning outcomes assessment and program review in higher education.
4. Experience in preparing reports for college and accreditation bodies.
5. Experience in strategic planning.
6. Experience in applied institutional research and analysis.
7. Experience in data collection, storage warehousing, access, analysis, and usage for evidence-based improvements.

Preferred:

1. Experience with IPEDS data reporting.
2. Supervisory experience.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational and analytical skills to prioritize, take initiative, follow projects through to completion, and manage multiple processes/projects/tasks.
• Forward-thinking, innovative, and proactive in identifying problems and implementing evidence-based improvements.
• Excellent collaborative leadership style with a strategic and creative approach to issues, and exceptional problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, written, and graphic presentation skills to effectively collaborate, develop, implement, and communicate data and recommendations with a wide range of stakeholders (board members, administrators, faculty, staff, and students.)
• Strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity, and ability to interact effectively with a variety of constituent groups.
• Strong computer skills - including a familiarity with database querying using SQL, advanced features of Microsoft EXCEL, and SSSP.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently and simultaneously with minimal supervision.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Communication Skills:

Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, to sit and to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.