About the Department
Are you interested in supporting efforts that strengthen learning by turning data into clear and useful insights? The Pennsylvania Department of Education is searching for an Educational Research Associate 2 to help guide policies that improve teaching and learning across the state. Take advantage of this rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact through research and analysis!
Position Duties
In this role, your work focuses on analyzing education data to help guide school improvement and support statewide accountability work. You will be responsible for ensuring research findings are clear, accurate, and useful for educators, leaders, and the public. As a Educational Research Associate 2, you will perform the following duties:
- Data Analysis: Review and interpret assessment and accountability data to support clear decision-making
- Report Development: Prepare reports that explain test results, performance trends, and school outcomes
- Tool Creation: Design tools and resources that help schools understand and use data effectively
- Accuracy Verification: Confirm the correctness of data collected or received from internal and external sources
- System Support: Manage databases and accountability systems to ensure that information is organized and accessible
- Information Sharing: Communicate findings to educators, administrators, and other audiences through written and verbal explanations
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
- Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 4 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
Minimum Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- One year as an Educational Research Associate 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
- Four years of professional educational research experience, involving the performance of descriptive research; or
- Four years of professional research experience; and two graduate level courses each in research methodology, sampling and survey techniques, statistics, advanced statistical analysis (i.e.--multi-variable analysis, factor analysis, path analysis, latent trait or rash modeling), and educational psychology/measurement; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
Other Qualifications
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.
