Who We Are:
The Stanford University Graduate School of Education (GSE) is a top-ranked school of education, known for its prestigious faculty, rigorous graduate degree programs, and its impact on the quality of education across the world. The GSE is committed to developing leaders in education research, practice, and policy. Our community includes over 60 faculty, 400 students, 200 staff, 14,000 alumni and countless people from the local and global communities we work with and impact.
The Gardner Center was founded in 2000 as an expression of John W. Gardner’s vision for vibrant civic participation and civic life, and within that, his conviction that we have collective responsibility—as individuals, institutions, and communities—to promote and sustain civic vitality. Our multi-disciplinary team advances this vision by conducting rigorous, actionable, and capacity-building research and evaluation in partnership with agencies dedicated to improving positive and equitable community outcomes.
The John Gardner Center in the Graduate School of Education seeks a Policy Analyst to join our multidisciplinary team. The new Analyst will play a key role on teams conducting research on policy-relevant topic areas related to supporting positive and equitable youth, family, and community outcomes. The Analyst will collaborate with researchers to conduct studies including but not limited to needs assessments, landscape analyses, and program evaluations. They will also collaboratively develop actionable findings and deliver them to our partners via a range of products, including policy briefs, presentations, and peer-reviewed articles. They will supervise graduate level research assistants and potentially other staff members; work collaboratively with other Gardner Center staff; and report to a Deputy Director.
The vast majority of our work is conducted in collaborative research teams using multiple or mixed methods approaches to research and policy analysis. The incumbent for this position will be expected to contribute to mixed-methods policy analysis, so we prefer candidates who demonstrate prior experience or formal education in both quantitative and qualitative research methods employed in the social sciences as applied to the study of complex public organizations in the U.S. (e.g., schools and school districts) and community-based organizations and agencies. The Analyst must also possess a commitment to making a difference in the lives of youth, families, and communities through community-engaged research.
What You’ll Do:
Collaborate with Gardner Center staff and community partners to design and carry out rigorous, actionable, and capacity building research that responds to partners’ needs and enables them to make research-informed decisions that advance their efforts to improve the lives of youth, families, and communities. Specifically, you will:
- Develop and carry out research designs that utilize the most robust methods possible given project parameters (e.g., timeline, budget).
- Ensure quantitative and qualitative dimensions of a study are seamlessly integrated from initial design through final reporting.
- Meet with partners on an ongoing basis to review research activities, discuss interim findings, and evolve analyses.
- Communicate research findings to a variety of interested, invested, and impacted parties, including academic and community audiences. This may include writing and presenting interim research updates as well as final reports via academic articles, research and policy briefs, executive summaries, and conference papers. It may also include sharing findings in community forums (e.g., school board meetings and various forums for public engagement).
- Participate actively as a collaborative member of the Gardner Center team, contributing to a vibrant, generative community dedicated to community engaged scholarship in the service of ensuring the wellbeing of our most vulnerable youth, families, and communities. This includes attending regular staff meetings and retreats, supervising graduate students and junior staff on specific projects, collaborating with colleagues across the greater Stanford community and research field, and contributing to proposal development for future projects.
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
To be successful in this position, you will bring:
- Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience. Advanced degree may be required for some programs. For jobs with financial responsibilities, experience managing a budget and developing financial plans.
- Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
- Excellent oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.
- Ability to oversee and direct staff.
- Basic knowledge of managing budgets and developing financial plans.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- A doctorate (or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., education, public policy, economics, sociology, anthropology, psychology, public administration).
- Familiarity with one or more of the systems that impact the lives of youth, families and communities in our region (e.g., the California K-12 education context, juvenile justice, youth mental health).
- Experience managing projects effectively.
- Proficiency with quantitative analysis software such as Stata, R, and/or SAS.
- Proficiency with survey research including platforms for survey administration (e.g., Qualtrics)
- Ability to handle multiple tasks, timelines, and priorities in a team environment.
The expected pay range for this position is $76,000 to $95,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Why Stanford is for You:
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
- Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
- A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
- A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
- Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
- Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.
How to Apply
The John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities invites you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply Online” link. Please submit an online application, resume, and cover letter.
- Finalist must successfully complete a background check prior to working at Stanford University.
- This is a fixed-term position with an end date of one year and is renewable based on performance and funding.
- Applicants to this position must be available to work in the United States without sponsorship for 2 years or more.
Consistent with obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with any disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
Stanford is an equal opportunity employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or another other characteristic protected by law.
