Evaluator - Part-time casual

The Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) seeks an Evaluator to support evaluation projects across a variety of contexts, with a primary focus on education and community settings but also extending to other areas. These projects serve non-profits, schools, higher education institutions, government agencies, industry partners, and faculty initiatives, while supporting the University's and CAREI's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This is a temporary, part-time casual appointment with a maximum of 14 hours per week. Work is project-based and hours may vary depending on project needs.

The Evaluator will develop and implement evaluations using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches for both short- and long-term projects. Responsibilities include collaborating to identify and pursue evaluation partnerships aligned with CAREI's expertise and strategic priorities, and create evaluation plans, logic models, and theories of change, tailoring data collection instruments; and independently managing and leading evaluation projects from design through reporting with minimal supervision. This includes analyzing large, complex data sets; producing reports and presentations; coordinating staff and consultants; and maintaining communications, timelines, and budgets. The Evaluator will also collaborate with clients to build evaluation capacity.

The Evaluator's work will require planning and applying a range of evaluation frameworks and approaches-process, implementation, developmental, and outcome-focused-in response to partner needs, with a commitment to rigorous and impartial evaluation.

The ideal candidate will have several years of professional experience leading program and organizational evaluations across a range of contexts, with experience evaluating education initiatives (e.g., PreK-12, higher education, or community-based programs) and experience or ability to apply evaluation expertise to projects in other sectors. Candidates should be detail-oriented, highly organized, and skilled in grant seeking, competitive proposal development, and strategic identification of funding opportunities where CAREI's evaluation expertise would be competitive. They must be able to implement evaluation projects from design through reporting, make project-level decisions, and manage assigned project work. The position reports to the Associate Director of Effective Practices and Evaluation.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to an offer. All UMN employees are expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $44.00-$47.00 per hour. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience skills, and internal equity within the department.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

End date for position: 12/31/2026.

Job Responsibilities:
1) Evaluation Implementation and Analysis (45%)

• Organize and Analyze Data: Organize, code, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources-such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations-to meet the evaluation's requirements and identify patterns, themes, and actionable findings.
  
• Perform Quantitative Data Analysis: Apply core and advanced statistical methods-including descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression-to accurately analyze quantitative data. Use statistical software such as SPSS or R (preferred) to manage and interpret complex datasets, ensuring valid, reliable, and insightful evaluation results.
  
• Perform Qualitative Data Analysis: Conduct rigorous qualitative analyses to extract meaningful insights from interviews, focus groups, observations, and documents. Apply coding to organize data and use thematic and content analysis to identify patterns, trends, and key findings. Integrate these analyses within case study or program evaluation designs to produce valid, reliable, and actionable results that inform decision-making.
  
• Summarize and Communicate Findings for Diverse Audiences: Summarize detailed literature reviews, evaluation plans, logic models, and findings from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches through written reports, executive summaries, and oral and visual presentations. Ensure that all communication of results is accurate, clear, and meaningful, and carefully tailored to the varied expertise and needs of diverse client audiences.
  
• Integrate Equity as a Guiding Principle: Integrate principles of equity and inclusion into evaluation practices, prioritizing the voices of those most impacted by the evaluation process. Actively seek diverse perspectives to inform decision-making and address disparities in evaluation.

2) Project Management and Coordination (25%)

• Serve as Project Coordinator: Manage and coordinate evaluation projects as assigned, facilitating planning, implementation, and reporting. Work with team members to ensure effective collaboration, timely progress, and high-quality project deliverables.
  
• Monitor Project Implementation: Track research and evaluation plans according to established timelines, using a project management tool to ensure high-quality products and deliverables.
  
• Support Client Communication: Assist with client communications, facilitating clear, consistent, and efficient documentation and information exchange.
  
• Address Project Challenges: Proactively address and overcome project challenges, providing support and guidance to ensure continuous progress and success of evaluations, and escalating issues to the supervisor as needed.

3) Proposal Development and Evaluation Design (20%)

• Contribute to Evaluation Proposals: Participate in the development of evaluation proposals, including responses to RFPs and grant applications, for projects and clients-supporting alignment with client needs and accurate budgeting of tasks, time, and resources.
  
• Integrate Equity as a Guiding Principle: Integrate principles of equity and inclusion into evaluation practices, prioritizing the voices of those most impacted by the evaluation process. Actively seek diverse perspectives to inform decision-making and address disparities in evaluation.
  
• Contribute to Evaluation Plans for Diverse Organizations: Support the development of evaluation plans-including questions, data collection and analysis methods, timelines, and milestones-tailored to meet the unique needs of school districts, non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and other community organizations.
  
• Develop Theories of Change and Logic Models: Co-develop Theories of Change and logic models for projects and use them to guide evaluation design and implementation.
  
• Develop Data Collection and Visualization Resources: Develop qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments-such as interview and focus group protocols, surveys, rating scales, and observation tools-tailored to the project's research or evaluation questions. Create visualizations of results, including dashboards, to effectively communicate findings.
  
• Conduct Literature Reviews and Integrate Findings: Perform systematic literature reviews (e.g., Covidence) and consolidate findings from multiple data sources in coherent ways to effectively inform evaluation processes.

4) Quality Assurance and Capacity Building (10%)

• Maintain Quality Assurance: Establish clear criteria for evaluation processes, develop procedures and protocols for data collection, analysis, and reporting, and implement rigorous quality-check processes to ensure accuracy, reliability, and validity of data/findings.
  
• Build Evaluation Capacity: Enhance individuals' and organizations' abilities to conduct effective evaluations through training and support.
  
• Uphold Ethical Practices: Work with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and adhere to ethical guidelines throughout the evaluation process, including obtaining IRB approval and implementing measures to protect participant rights and confidentiality.

Required

• Advanced degree in evaluation (preferred), education, social sciences, or a related field, with demonstrated training and experience in research/evaluation design, implementation, and analysis, and a record of producing and communicating findings - including reports, briefs, publications - in response to partner or community need.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience leading program or policy evaluations, including responsibility for evaluation design, implementation, analysis, and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and conducting evaluations across a variety of settings, contexts, and content areas, including education-related initiatives (e.g., PreK-12, higher education, or community-based programs) and other programmatic or grant-funded initiatives.
• Proficiency in creating research and evaluation plans incorporating varying methods and applying those plans in real-world settings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to plan and execute evaluation projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated written (e.g., reports, grant proposals, funding applications) and oral (e.g., presentations, meetings) communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Experience in using survey software platforms (Qualtrics preferred), Microsoft Excel and software packages for qualitative (Dedoose preferred) and quantitative analysis (e.g. SPSS, or R strongly preferred).

Preferred

• Experience conducting field-based evaluations and research using mixed methods-including quantitative and qualitative approaches-to assess programs, systems, policies, or initiatives across educational, community, nonprofit, or other organizational contexts.
• Demonstrated success in identifying, developing, and securing grant-funded evaluation projects or evaluation components within larger grant proposals.
• Experience and commitment to anti-racism/oppression, culturally responsive approaches and practices, and integration of an equity lens across the evaluation life cycle.
• Excels in a flexible, project-based work environment.
• Ability to make informed decisions to drive processes forward, maintain project momentum, and effectively achieve project goals.
• Experience with qualitative (e.g. thematic analysis, content analysis) and advanced quantitative data analysis techniques.
• Proven ability to take initiative, working effectively in both independent and collaborative team environments.
• Skilled in managing complex challenges that may arise during any phase of the evaluation lifecycle.

Pay Range: $44.00-$47.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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