Duties

• Performs various tasks in the data collection and manipulation, analysis, evaluation, and reporting on smaller, less difficult operating programs, or carries out segments of larger projects as assistants to higher level specialists.
• Evaluates data sources to determine any limitations in terms of reliability or usability.
• Recommends, prepares, monitors, and disseminates performance measures. Selects the appropriate methods to follow in analyzing and evaluating data, considering the character and sources of data and the statistical tools to be used.
• Pre-tests questionnaires and other documents and methods developed for the study to ensure their accuracy, reasonableness, and relevance.
• Collects and processes data utilizing survey and/or non-survey instruments, published and unpublished agency statistics and records, on-site investigations, discussions with operating officials, and similar materials and sources.
• Synthesizes empirical research and prepares literature reviews; makes recommendations based on best practices.
• Performs data manipulation tasks with quantitative data, such as data construction, merging data files, and data cleaning.
• Analyzes and interprets data following analytical methods prescribed by plan.
• Evaluates various program areas including policy, procedure, legislation, objective, and cost effectiveness.
• Identifies actual or potential problem areas, trends, program accomplishments, and additional key factors in the program being studied.
• Identifies new program needs, considering agency goals and other relevant conditions and trends, and the effects of actual or proposed legislation.
  Evaluates the effectiveness of alternative or corrective actions being considered for various programs.
• Analyzes and interprets statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
• Assesses the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Identifies relationships and trends in data, and any factors that could affect the results of the research or analysis.
• Performs descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
• Performs data extraction, data linkages, and data queries using computer software.
• Prepares tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research and analysis results.
• Prepares forecasts of factors directly related to and affecting agency program operations for use in program planning activities.
• Presents results of studies, analyses, or investigations to agency management, covering conclusions and recommendations based on the evaluations made.
• Develops specifics regarding the planning, development of analytical methods, study or analysis of procedures, and methods of presentation.
• Prepares written technical reports containing the analysis and interpretation of study findings along with recommended courses of action based on study or analysis of findings.
• Assesses the content of data systems to ensure that they support the analytic needs of the agency.
• Conducts programmatic discussions and conferences and prepares written directives that outline broad study objectives.
• May participate in defining and refining data infrastructure requirements and consult with information technology staff in developing and maintaining the agency’s infrastructure necessary to carry out research functions.