Director, Institutional Research & Quality Enhancement Plan

Is responsible for directing and coordinating institutional research to support employee data and information needs to advance department, division, and college goals and objectives. Works closely with other Planning and Research staff, college department chairs and coordinators, and other employees to fulfill research needs.

Develops, plans, and manages assigned research projects. Utilizes all available mechanisms to manage the collection and dissemination of data and information for the advancement of the College mission. Works on institutional accreditation projects, as needed. Serves on various college committees that involve the review or need for institutional research.

Is responsible for directing and coordinating institutional Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) activities. Manages QEP budget and administrative responsibilities.

Collaborates with personnel assigned for instructional design and QEP outcomes for reporting. Coordinates with various academic and faculty groups such as Distance Learning, Curriculum Committee, Educational Leadership Team, and President's Leadership Team. Creates annual reports for college and institutional accreditor as needed.

Develops and participates in professional development to advance the QEP. Reports to the Assistant Vice President, Planning and Research.The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Conducts institutional research to provide information for planning, policy formation, decision-making and institutional effectiveness; complete data requests; work with information technology staff to create and maintain visual analytics; work with other offices to research specific area needs. Queries the College's database using Informer software to develop reports and analyses relating to student achievement.

Assists with the development and production of the annual Pitt Community College Profile and similar documents. Analyzes and interprets QEP data for end users such as senior staff, Board of Trustees, deans, department chairs, coordinators and other college staff.

Is committed to a team environment, communicates professionally and effectively with all levels of employees, and prepares and delivers presentations to appropriate audiences. Communicates with faculty, staff, students, and other College stakeholders on research initiatives as needed; maintains institutional data sets; prioritizes a variety of work assignments and meets deadlines.

Must be skilled in the use of computer technology, Microsoft Office Suite, databases, and graphical presentation software. Must understand and possess skills to extract data from the College's database.

Experience with statistical software, familiarity with Colleague databases, and or working knowledge of computer programming languages (specifically JavaScript), is desired. Must know how to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions regarding institutional research. Must be able to present technical information to a variety of audiences and possesses good written and verbal communication skills.

Refers to North Carolina Administrative Code, Pitt Community College Employee Manual, as needed. Operates a variety of types of office equipment including personal computer, laptop computer, laser and color printer, computer projection device, fax machine, photocopier, scanner/OCR, telephone.

Uses general office supplies and computer software such as Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office Suite, or similar tools like, SAS or SPSS, etc. Performs other related duties as required.Education Requirements

Master's degree in education, educational research, social sciences, statistics, or related field.

Work Experience

Two to three years of work experience in higher education research and planning, with working knowledge of databases and research techniques. Experience with data reporting from Colleague and Informer or another data educational program is required.

Critical thinking skills regarding analyzing and creating meaning with complex data processes is required. Work experience in higher education, particularly in NC Community Colleges is preferred.

Transferable skills include those acquired through work experience in Registrar's and or Admissions/Enrollment offices, or any equivalent combination of professional training and experience.Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated machines including computer, copier, calculator, etc.

Must be physically able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Position involves mostly sedentary work but may require walking or standing for brief periods of time. Must be able to lift weights of up to twenty pounds.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether like or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information.

Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to proficiently read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

Requires the ability to read a variety of documents, reports, and books such as various manuals, census data, demographic information, curriculum standards, administrative codes, etc. Requires the ability to prepare documents and reports with the proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, etc. Has the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence:  Has the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; and to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.

Is able to deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Has the ability to apply principles of rational systems such as computer technology in order to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information and to follow verbal and written instructions.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add, subtract, multiply, and divide numbers; utilize decimals; calculate percentages; apply algebraic principles; and utilize descriptive and inferential statistics.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office and other equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.

Must have moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination and Visual Acuity: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color; requires the visual acuity to determine depth perception, peripheral vision, inspection for small parts; preparing and analyzing written or computer data, etc.

Interpersonal Temperament: Has the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions.

 The worker needs to relate to people in situations involving more than receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear.)

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The work performance of non-supervisory personnel of Pitt Community College is routinely evaluated according to the performance criteria outlined herein:

Knowledge of Job: Has thorough knowledge of the methods, policies, and procedures of the Planning and Research Department.

Has considerable knowledge of the practices, procedures, rules, and regulations of the College as they apply to duties of the position. Has knowledge of college programs. Has the knowledge and ability to use a variety of sources to obtain data and collect research information.

Is able to coordinate data and information into reports, booklets, catalogs, etc. Has a thorough understanding of databases and is able to extract data from them.

Has considerable knowledge of general office operations, functions, and procedures. Is able to apply principles of conceptual thinking in evaluating existing procedures and developing new ones.

Is able to exercise good judgment. Is able to communicate effectively with others in person, over the telephone, and in electronic mediums in a clear and effective manner. Can communicate with all levels of staff and faculty in the performance of the job; possesses good listening skills.

Is able to compile, organize, prepare, and maintain an assortment of records, reports, and related information. Can comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and office operations.

Can read, understand, and complete written requests and work assignments in a timely fashion. Has knowledge of how to estimate time, materials, and supplies required to complete various routine activities. Can promote efficient completion of duties has good organizational and human relations skills.

Can operate a variety of office equipment and machines in completing tasks. Is able to complete mathematical calculations quickly and accurately. Can work under stressful conditions related to meeting deadlines, paying close attention to detail, etc. Is able to make sound, educated decisions in a variety of areas on a continuing basis.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.

Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interaction with all College departments and divisions, co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work: Performs described "Specific Duties and Responsibilities" and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce quantity of work which consistently meets standards and expectations of the College.

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work.

Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, College policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Remains accountable to assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to college policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility.

Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation:

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with College policy or procedures, etc. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the College.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and College benefit.

Contributes to maintaining high morale among all College employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public so as to maintain good will toward the College and to project a good College image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the College.

Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the College. Interacts effectively with supervisor, higher management, other College professionals, and the public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine.

Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly.

Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the College and various regulatory agencies.

Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.