Description

Position Title: Impact and Evaluation Specialist

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

Organization Overview:

Steppingstone prepares students from marginalized communities to access, navigate, and graduate from college through two initiatives, the Steppingstone Scholars Program and the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA). The Steppingstone Scholars Program is a direct-service program in Boston that provides academic, social-emotional, and college-readiness services to students, called Scholars, beginning as early as fifth grade and continuing all the way through college graduation. The Steppingstone Scholars Program consists of five components: Admissions, the Academy, Middle School Success, High School Success, and College Success. NPEA connects the people, practices, and innovations for eliminating barriers to educational access, and college and career success for underserved students.

Position Overview:

The Impact and Evaluation Specialist plays a crucial role in assessing the effectiveness of Steppingstone programs and initiatives in achieving the organization’s mission. They will be responsible for designing and implementing evaluation frameworks, collecting and analyzing data, and providing insights and recommendations to improve program outcomes. The Impact and Evaluation Specialist will work a Monday-Friday schedule. Some evening and Saturday work is required and work schedules can be adjusted accordingly within that week. 

The Steppingstone office is hybrid with the expectation that employees will work in the office a minimum of two days per week, with some flexibility around work hours. A $500 home office set-up stipend will be provided upon hire, followed by quarterly stipends of $50. Laptops are provided to each employee to enhance the hybrid experience.

The Steppingstone office is accessible by public transit and has very limited parking availability.

Program staff support the admission of new students and families to the Steppingstone Scholars Program, including interviewing prospective students and families. Due to the nature of those interviews, PTOs are granted on a very limited basis in February.

Salary Range: $65,000 - $68,000

Start Date: June, 2024

Responsibilities:

Data Management

• Oversee data collection methods, ensuring accurate tracking of key metrics (program participation, student learning gains, college readiness, NPEA member satisfaction, etc.) and alignment of reporting across departments.
• Support the use and updating of program dashboards and produce outcome reports that align with performance measures
• Support the implementation and administration of various evaluation tools including surveys and assessments
• Coordinate external data collection for partner organizations like Boston After School and Beyond, Boston Public Schools and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Research and Evaluation

• Develop and implement a comprehensive impact evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of the Scholars Program
• Analyze data to identify trends, areas of improvement, and demonstrate impact
• Collaborate with program staff to integrate evaluation findings into program planning and implementation
• Support NPEA data projects including member satisfaction surveys, and usage of member benefits
• Collaborate with fundraising staff to share data for grant proposals and outcomes to enhance fundraising and marketing efforts

Knowledge Management

• Stay current on external research relevant to academic preparation, college access, college success, and career readiness
• Stay current on best practices and trends in impact and evaluation

Required Knowledge and Skills:

Strong candidates for this position will possess the following characteristics:

• Demonstrated commitment to educational and racial equity in college access and success
• Proficiency in data management and analysis software (e.g. Excel, Salesforce, Python, R)
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex data in a clear and compelling manner
• Effective organization and project management skills combined with flexibility, attention to detail, and multi-tasking

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science or related field required; Master’s degree preferred
• 3 years of experience in program evaluation, preferably in the education or nonprofit sector
• Salesforce Administrator Certificate preferred

Employee Benefits:

• Generous paid time off 
• 15 days PTO
• 5 wellness days
• 12.5 holidays
• 2 weeks paid office closure 
• Health, Dental and Vision coverage
• Life, Short-Term and Long-Term disability insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition & Professional Development reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health and Dependent Care
• Pre-tax Transportation Plan (Transit & Parking)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Membership to the National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA)

Physical Demands:

• Lifting up to 20 pounds, standing, walking, sitting, reaching, operating computer and office equipment 
• Pursuant to the ADA, Steppingstone will provide reasonable services and accommodation(s) to employees with qualified disabilities in order to perform the essential functions of their employment, except when doing so would be unduly disruptive and/or result in undue hardship to the organization. 

To Apply: Please input your resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position, and how you learned about this position. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

As a condition of employment, all Steppingstone employees, including full-time, part-time, temporary and contract employees, and interns, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To be considered fully vaccinated, individuals must have received two doses of the approved Pfizer/Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, and remain up to date with all boosters recommended by the CDC prior to the finalization of the hiring process. Finalists will be given details about how to demonstrate receipt of vaccination.

Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that for external-facing roles, particularly those involving close contact with students, accommodations that involve remaining unvaccinated against COVID-19 may not be deemed reasonable. Steppingstone will engage in the interactive accommodation process on an individualized basis in light of each particular role.

Steppingstone Core Values

Power of One

• We honor every voice and believe we are strongest when we work together.
• We recognize, respect, and nurture the fullness and complexity of each member of our community.
• We believe in the power of belonging and seek to create a welcoming and inclusive culture.

Walk the Walk

• We partner with every Scholar and family, supporting them holistically throughout their own educational journey.
• We work with a clear and measurable purpose, using data to drive collective decision-making and challenge assumptions.
• We create spaces for difficult conversations to transform our thinking and move us forward.

Embrace Growth

• We strive to operate as an anti-racist organization and commit to continuous learning and action in the service of this goal.
• We provide opportunities for everyone in our community to flourish and reach their full potential.
• We make time for reflection, learn from past experiences, and take initiative in response to changing needs and new ideas.

A candidate will be found unsuitable for employment with Steppingstone and automatically disqualified if they use threatening language or behavior either written, verbal, or physical during any phase of the interview process.

The Steppingstone Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any individual, employee, or application for employment on the basis of race, color, marital status, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or handicap, as defined by law.