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Research Assistant

Colorado State Library

Denver, CO

Application Deadline

Apply By Mar 4th, 2016

Wages

$46,000.00 to $52,000.00 per Year   Calculate

Location

Denver, CO

Hours

40.00

MLS

Not Specified

Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree

Library Experience

Not Specified

Supervisory Experience

Not Specified

Type of Library

Other

This job is more than 3 weeks old or the application deadline has passed.

Job Description

Do you have a strong opinion about the Oxford comma and singular “they”? Do you find yourself looking for the “real story” behind the numbers reported in the media? Are you intrigued by the popularity of infographics? Do you like a combination of collaborative and independent work? If so, we’ve got the job for you! Library Research Service (LRS)—a unit of the Colorado State Library—has an opening for the position of Research Assistant.

This person will collaborate with LRS colleagues to write about research findings for the library community, develop content for LRS.org, and support evaluation projects. The ideal person for this opening is passionate about libraries, appreciates data and numbers, and is looking for a position that is part job, part discovery, and part learning. S/he is the type of person who knows...


• how to write well, especially for non-experts and the web
• why accurate data are so important
• how to proofread and edit technical documents
• how to provide excellent customer service
• how to be part of a team and work independently
• when to obsess about the small stuff and when to focus on the big picture
• BONUS: experience or interest in data visualization

Duties include:

Write reports summarizing and interpreting data for a variety of audiences, both expert and non-expert.

In collaboration with Library Research Service (LRS) staff, design and produce infographics and other innovative visual presentations of data.

Update LRS website content including writing blog posts, adding new pages, uploading media, and modifying existing pages.

Proofread and edit research findings, survey results, evaluation news, and other content prior to publication, distribution, and/or posting. Proofreading and editing includes checking grammar, spelling, word choice, consistency, and conformity to LRS and department standards, as well as verifying data and calculations. Attention to detail is imperative, as is the ability to assess the document as a whole.

Assist with all LRS communication efforts including dissemination of electronic and print publications and social media.

Contribute to planning, logistics, and organization efforts in support of LRS training and continuing education events. Support may include social media efforts, curriculum development, and evaluation assistance.

Enter and verify research project data using spreadsheet, database, and online tools. With guidance from and in collaboration with LRS staff, analyze data, produce charts and graphs, and write explanatory narrative for statistical reports.

Aid in the administration of the annual surveys of public libraries and school library media centers and other surveys/studies as needed. Coordinate with administrative assistant in the production of print materials as needed.

Assist LRS staff in conducting evaluations of Colorado State Library (CSL) projects and services, including producing the CSL Workshop Evaluation reports. Duties may include data entry and compilation, producing charts/graphs/tables, and writing narrative using established report format.

Provide customer service to internal and external clients including training and technical assistance in the use of the unit’s varied surveys, services, and tools. Customer services duties may include troubleshooting problems, answering questions, facilitating the use of online data analysis tools, and posting and editing of job listings on Library Jobline. Answer email, phone, and written inquires as needed.

Work cooperatively with LRS, CSL, and CDE staff members to insure the smooth operation of the State Library office.

Other duties as assigned.

Additional Info & Requirements

Conditions of Employment:

  • All offers of employment are conditional on a successful background and references check.
  • Please be advised that CDE may choose to contact work references other than those listed on your application.
  • Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Flex-time may be approved depending upon suitability.
  • Position is Exempt from overtime and may require work outside of normal office hours.
  • Selected applicant is an employee At-Will.
  • Direct deposit of paychecks is required.
  • Smoking is allowed only in designated areas outside the State Office Building or any other CDE office facility.
  • Selected applicant must comply with the Colorado State Board of Education’s Drug-Free Workplace policy.
  • As required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), the selected applicant must verify, within 72 hours of employment, his/her legal right to be employed in the United States.

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in library science or related field, including but not limited to, education, psychology, sociology, statistics, or research methods.
  • Experience demonstrating collegiality and a strong service orientation with co-workers, clients, and third parties.Superior writing skills, including experience writing about complex or technical topics for a variety of audiences, both expert and non-expert.
  • Strong proofreading and editing skills, including checking report narrative and basic verification of data and calculations. Requires an exceptional eye for detail.
  • Skilled in working with numerical data, including basic data analysis, creating charts and tables, and using data to illustrate research findings.
  • Strong computer skills, including a high proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products and Internet resources.
  • Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a variety of colleagues, and internal and external clients.
  • Good judgment and a willingness to ask questions to ensure high quality work.
  • Superior communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability and willingness to travel.
  • The ability to pass a background check.

Preferred:

  • Working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and/or Photoshop and online survey tools such as SurveyMonkey or SurveyGizmo.
  • Experience using a content management system such as Wordpress or Drupal.
  • Experience with document production and publication, including graphic design.
  • Experience working with data and statistics in a library, non-profit, education, research, or office setting. Knowledge of SPSS is helpful.
  • Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities at the same time.
  • Interest in social media and its appropriate professional applications.
  • Undergraduate- or graduate-level coursework in Library and Information Science.

The Community

We’re the Colorado State Library's Library Research Service, library lovin’ data folks who are passionate about helping Colorado libraries tell their stories backed up by research and statistics. Signature projects include the Research Institute for Public Libraries (RIPL), Fast Facts reports, Library Jobline, DART, and school library impact studies.

HR Info

Please email a completed Colorado Department of Education Employment Application, letter of interest, and resume to careers@cde.state.co.us with the Position #1516 and Research Assistant in the subject line.

To obtain a Colorado Department of Education Employment Application, visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdemgmt/HR/jobs.htm

All materials submitted should be current and specifically address the qualifications for this position.

Hard copies of application materials and application materials sent via mail or fax will not be accepted.

  • CDE Employment Application
  • Cover letter/letter of interest
  • Resume

Posted Feb 11, 2016