Job Summary:

Synergy Enterprises, Inc., a minority and woman-owned government contractor located in North Bethesda, MD, currently has an opportunity for a full-time employee as a Senior Research Associate. The Senior Research Associate will work closely with project staff to provide senior level research, writing, and support for written, in-person, and virtual content development and technical assistance, develop publications and other print dissemination items, contribute to website content and copy, and generating appropriate, research based responses to public inquiries.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Experience conducting research independently and with minimal oversight including literature reviews and other research efforts on emerging issues related to education policy and practice, particularly with respect to federal, state, and local resources.
• Conduct research to identify and resolve operational challenges and help develop and implement complimentary methods for delivering content and providing technical assistance.
• Conduct research to help develop topic areas, tools, resources, courses, and other informational products, such as fact sheets, written technical assistance responses, toolkits, and guidance documents.
• Ensure alignment of current research and evidence-based practices with content, developing research briefs and outlines for courses, tools, and other resources.
• Writing both short informational brief reports and publications, as well as longer reports.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of virtual and in-person trainings, including webinars, virtual meetings, online courses, videos, and live conference presentations.
• Ability to review, edit, and provide feedback on a variety of content and publications.
• Ability to analyze data sets varying in size to identify trends, patterns, and key insights that can be communicated effectively through visualizations. Proficiency in using data visualization tools to create compelling and interactive visualizations.
• Experience selecting the most appropriate visualizations to match content and crafting a narrative that guides the intended audience through the insights. Ability to use of graphic design principles, particularly consideration of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) in website/ Learning Management System development and dashboards an added bonus.
• Curate, vet, and manage resources for external resource library and other website resources.  
• Be proficient and professional representing the TA Center and its various endeavors at virtual and in-person events, meetings, and via phone, email and online meetings.
• And other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or PhD in Education or Social Science related field.

• Advanced skill set with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and web-based databases.

• Skills in conducting virtual meetings on a variety of platforms (e.g., Zoom, Adobe Connect).

• Demonstrated skills in research, data collection, and analysis (knowledge of Qualtrics preferred).

• Content expertise in one or more of the following areas: 21st Century Community Learning Centers, creating and providing professional development for educators, out-of-school time professionals, and school leaders; working with State Education Agencies in grant management, competitive grant awards, needs assessment and evaluation; and website development.

Attention to detail, particularly to ensure data and reporting meet high standards, such as compliance to federal guidelines

• Self-starter with strong time management and multitasking skills.

• Excels at working in a fast paced, dynamic environment.

• Ability to work under pressure, managing several complex assignments with multiple deadlines.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proofreading or copyediting experience is a plus.

• Understanding of online data collection forms.

• Additional skills a plus: grant management experience, website and learning management system development, communications.

Other job requirements:

• The position requires that individuals be available to work as necessary throughout the standard workweek and often on weekends as well.

• The position requires the ability to travel, including overnight (approximately 20% of time, depending upon need).

Physical demands and work environment:

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle objects and documents; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision. Employee may use office equipment such as telephone, computer, computer software, calculator, printer, copier, and facsimile.
• Work environment: Employees are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of employees so classified.