GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The RESEARCH ANALYST 3 plans, participates in, and directs the gathering, compiling, analyzing, and reporting of qualitative and quantitative information and statistical data, and presents this information in narrative or schematic form. The Research Analyst 3 plans and organizes research projects.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the third level of a four-level series. It is distinguished from the lower-level by having responsibility for planning research studies, devising procedures for special research projects, preparing statistical forecasts, and providing team leadership to the lower-level analysts as required by the type difficulty and/or scope of the project. The Research Analyst 3 is also distinguished from the lower level by working independently on various research projects with little guidance or direction from a supervisor. This level is distinguished from the higher level by lesser responsibility for serving as project leader on complex research design and major issue analysis requiring regular application of complex analytical technique, concepts, and methodologies and lessen responsibility to serve regularly as consultant to top administrators.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Research Planning, Design, and Analyses. Typical tasks: plans research studies; consults with users to identify needs; identifies purpose and methods to be used in the research study; develops procedures which describe the series of steps to be taken by analysts; designs forms and sample surveys for special projects to collect raw data and generate reports; analyzes survey data and verifies its validity by calculating the factors and reviewing prior studies and methods; participates with data processing staff in planning, designing, and implementing new data systems; writes computer report generator language programs such as Easytrieve Plus and FOCUS; uses computer report generator language software packages such as Easytrieve Plus, Table Producing Language (TPL), and Statistical Analyses System (SAS), to retrieve, edit, and tabulate data from various data bases and files with the use of computer input devices; studies and analyzes tables, graphs, and charts, and other statistics to arrive at logical conclusions about the data.
2. Report Preparation. Typical tasks: reviews narrative and statistical information gathered; writes reports such as statistical studies, narrative reports, articles for publication, including summary tables, graphs and charts; trains and guides lower-level analysts in writing such reports; summarizes reports by explaining the significance of trends; prepares statistical forecasts and explains their significance to the program.
3. Technical Consultant. Typical tasks: confers with agency personnel, other agencies, business groups, legislative bodies, associations, unions, and news media as information sources for research data; prepares written responses to outside requests for research information; provides technical expertise and specialized information on request to data processing staff, agency personnel, and other agencies; prepares and delivers presentations to various units of the agency, community groups, and others to report research findings, current statistics, or other pertinent information or data.
4. Project Coordination. Typical tasks: plans, assigns, checks, and coordinates the work of other research analysts and support staff engaged in gathering, compiling, and analyzing information and data.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class have frequent contact in person or by telephone with data processing staff to obtain their assistance in the development and implementation of new data systems for research projects to collect and analyze the information efficiently. They have frequent in-person telephone, or written contact with agency personnel, other agencies, business groups, legislative bodies, associations, unions, and news media to respond to information requests or to seek information for research projects. They also have frequent contact with various units of the agency, community groups, and others when delivering presentations of research findings, current statistics, or other pertinent information or data.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive general supervision from a research analyst supervisor or administrative superior who assigns work verbally or through written instructions. Work is reviewed through reports and discussions at the completion of each project. Employees in this class follow agency policies and procedures to determine the proper methods of performing duties. Computer manuals are used when working with computerized equipment and software packages.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years of research experience independently gathering, compiling, and analyzing data using statistical methods (inferential, multivariate analysis, etc.); using statistical software packages to manipulate the data; and preparing narrative or statistical reports and college-level course in statistics (at least six quarter hours); OR
• An equivalent combination of training and experience.

Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. Please highlight the statistical courses.