What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate /Data Analyst II or Data Analyst III position at Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner?
Research Associate /Data Analyst II or Data Analyst III
Job description
The RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner is seeking a Research Associate/Data Analyst to join the Rhode Island Longitudinal Data System Center team. This position will be filled at either the Research Associate/Data Analyst II (Grade 10) or the Research Associate/Data Analyst III (Grade 12) level, depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience as detailed in the position descriptions in this posting.
Title: Research Associate/Data Analyst II
Grade: 10
Hiring Salary Range: $73,000 – $75,000
The Research Associate/Data Analyst II (Analyst II) enhances the analytical capacity of the Rhode Island Longitudinal Data System (RILDS) Center, a distinct entity located within the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (RIOPC). In collaboration with policymakers and researchers, the Analyst II explores, cleans, analyzes, and visualizes linked, inter-agency, longitudinal data. This position juggles multiple projects, covering policy areas such as child welfare, education, public health, and workforce development, to support RILDS' purpose of informing policy, facilitating research, and improving the lives of Rhode Islanders.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Data Analysis & Visualization
- Use programming and quantitative analysis skills to query, explore, clean, and analyze linked, inter-agency, longitudinal data
- Acquire data from multiple sources, including linking datasets and databases
- Produce reports and visualizations (e.g., dashboards, data stories, maps, infographics) that extract insights and interpret findings for multiple audiences
Operational Leadership
- Collaborate with colleagues, consultants, and external partners on project development and execution
- Develop familiarity with RILDS datasets and systems. Learn and follow RILDS policies and processes, including for confidentiality, privacy, and security of data
- Contribute to RILDS documentation efforts
- Collaborate with the RILDS Center engineering team on prioritizing engineering requests
Communications
- Cultivate positive relationships with stakeholders, including Rhode Island state agencies, Rhode Island municipal governments, national advocacy organizations, community foundations, and research institutions
- Participate in meetings with partners
- Contribute to communications materials, including website and social media
Other Duties
Perform other duties as assigned in support of RILDS operations and institutional goals
Qualifications
Required
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of four (4) years of professional experience analyzing data and/or public policy, producing data visualizations, and/or conducting evaluation and research projects
Or
- Master's Degree and a minimum of two (2) years of professional experience analyzing data and/or public policy, producing data visualizations, and/or conducting evaluation and research projects
Experience:
- Experience using programming/scripting languages, e.g., R for data analysis
- Experience using business intelligence tools, e.g., Power BI and/or Tableau, for data visualization
- Proven track record analyzing and aggregating large datasets
- Demonstrated project management skills
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to respond to changing priorities and ensure timely, accurate deliverables
- Ability to collaborate with diverse populations
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Preferred
- Master's Degree in a relevant field, such as public policy, sociology, political science, economics, statistics, etc.
- Demonstrated experience working with integrated datasets or data systems
- Demonstrated knowledge and subject matter expertise in education and workforce development policy
- Demonstrated experience using geographic information systems, e.g., ArcGIS, for geospatial analysis and mapping
Title: Research Associate/Data Analyst III
Grade: 12
Hiring Salary Range: $85,000 – $87,000
The Research Associate/Data Analyst III (Analyst III) enhances the analytical capacity of the Rhode Island Longitudinal Data System (RILDS) Center, a distinct entity located within the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (RIOPC). In collaboration with policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders, the Analyst III explores, cleans, analyzes, and visualizes linked, inter-agency, longitudinal data. With strong programming and quantitative analysis skills, this position supports multiple projects across policy areas such as child welfare, education, public health, and workforce development, with a focus on improving data accessibility for diverse audiences. The Analyst III assists with project planning and coordination, maintains working knowledge of RILDS datasets and policies, works closely with team members, and contributes to documentation and administrative tasks in collaboration with RILDS leadership. Through this work, the Analyst III supports RILDS' mission of informing policy, facilitating research, and improving the lives of Rhode Islanders.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Data Analysis & Visualization
- Use programming and quantitative analysis skills to query, explore, clean and analyze linked, inter-agency, longitudinal data to and produce a variety of data products (including, but not limited to, datasets, reports, charts, maps, visualizations, infographics, and dashboards) tailored for different audiences
- Produce both technical and informal writing as needed on data analysis process and findings, helping to build new tools, data stories, and reports
- Engage with RILDS engineering team to share content knowledge and inform data import processes and system updates
Operational Leadership
- Collaborate with colleagues, consultants, and external partners on project development and execution
- Maintain deep familiarity with RILDS data holdings and follow RILDS policies on confidentiality, privacy, and data security
- Contribute to project planning, including estimating resources, informing schedules, and supporting teamwide progress, helping to ensure projects are completed on time and within scope
- Contribute to business development and project design activities to support RILDS growth
- Support analytic team documentation and contribute to overall RILDS documentation efforts
- Assist with new employee and intern training and skill development
- Serve as an advisor to analytical staff, including conducting quality assurance on data outputs
Communications
- Engage with external stakeholders to explore data related to policy questions, cultivating and maintaining relationships
- Present data tools, products, and findings at local and national meetings and conferences as needed
- Support RILDS data stewardship practices
- Support and enhance outreach efforts across social media and website content
Other Duties
Perform other duties as assigned in support of RILDS operations and institutional goals.
Qualifications
Required
Education and Experience:
- Master's degree in a relevant field (public policy, public health, economics, statistics, etc.) and a minimum of three (3) years of professional experience analyzing data and/or public policy, producing data visualizations, and/or conducting evaluation and research projects
or
- Bachelor's degree and minimum of five (5) years of professional experience analyzing data and/or public policy, producing data visualizations, and/or conducting evaluation and research projects
Experience:
- Demonstrated experience using business intelligence/reporting tools, e.g. Power BI and/or Tableau, for data visualization
- Demonstrated experience managing and analyzing large datasets
- Demonstrated project management skills
- Demonstrated strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including ability to work collaboratively with others
- Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate technical information to a wide variety of audiences
- Demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities and ensure timely, accurate deliverables
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong competency in statistical analysis using programming/scripting languages, including R for data analysis
- Ability to collaborate with diverse populations
Preferred
- Advanced knowledge and subject matter expertise in education and workforce development policy
- Demonstrated experience working with integrated datasets and/or data systems
- Demonstrated familiarity with and continual learning of new data skills and data tools
- Demonstrated experience using geographic information systems, e.g., ArcGIS, for geospatial analysis and mapping
Environmental Conditions
The incumbent is not exposed to any known adverse environmental conditions. The environment is desk and computer work in a climate-controlled office. Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel may be required. Requires significant desk-time and computer use.
All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
The Research Associate/Data Analyst position will reside in the Rhode Island Longitudinal Data System (RILDS) Center and report to the Assistant Director, RILDS.
These roles are both exempt, non-union, non-classified, full-time positions with a schedule of 35 hours per week that may involve non-standard hours as required.
A hybrid work schedule is possible after an initial onboarding period.
This posting will remain open until the position is filled with first consideration being given to applications submitted by October 28, 2026. Applications received after October 28, 2026 may be considered depending on the status of the search process.
To apply: https://riopc.edu/jobs/research-associate-data-analyst-ii-or-data-analyst-iii/
Salary : $73,000 - $87,000