Market Research Institute Data Analyst III

POSITION SUMMARY:

Date application must be received for priority consideration by: September 6, 2024
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: September 16, 2024
Closing Date or if blank, Open Until Filled:
Job Family Group: Support Staff
Support Staff Classification Title: Research Analyst 3
Division/Department: Academic and Student Affairs/Small Business Development Center
Compensation Range (commensurate with experience): Salary Range 26 Step 1-3, $26.44 - $29.08 hourly or $4,583 - $5,041 monthly @ 1.0 FTE
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Appointment Basis: 12-month
Time Type: Full-time
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Renewable/Non-renewable/Grants/Limited Duration: Limited Duration
Temporary Position with an anticipated end date of June 15, 2025
This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver License: Yes
This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check: Yes
Work Location Type: SOU Medford Campus
Work Hours: M-F (8:00a – 4:30p) Hours are subject to change with notice.
Worker Status: Must be able to legally work in the United States without visa sponsorship

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT:

• Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) a letter providing some detail of the applicant’s qualifications and interest in the position; and (2) current resume/CV
• For inquiries and additional information, please contact Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.
• To view SOU’s very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/Benefit_Flyer/2024_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_012024.pdf
• Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html, demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (OSBDCN) was established in 1984 and provides business advising, seminars, workshops, and specialized programs for business retention and expansion throughout the State of Oregon. The SOU SBDC is part of the State Network of 20 Small Business Development Centers. Responsibility for the Market Research Institute (MRI) rests with the SOU Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a special service of Southern Oregon University. The SBDC is located in Medford at the Higher Education Center.

The Market Research Institute is for use by businesses throughout Oregon for advanced market research and analytics, typically delivered through the State SBDC Network or partner agencies. Primary research projects are also contracted through Southern Oregon University, delivered by the Market Research Institute.

The Market Research Institute has developed a strong reputation for delivering a high-quality product to the requesting businesses in a timely manner, placing the service at the forefront of National standards.

The MRI Data Analyst 3 works for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director at SOU, a part of the School of Science and Business. Under the auspices of the SBDC Director, the Analyst position leads the development, provides the one-to-one interface between the client business's adviser, the client business and the MRI, responsible for the preparation and delivery of the unique market reports. The Analyst may be assisted by other personnel, not limited to additional analysts or student employees for the research and preparation of the reports.

Minimum Requirements

• 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.

Preferred Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Data Management, Computer Science, or Data Analytics;

• Ability to use 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); and,

• Small Business management experience in the private sector, preferably as an owner.

Essential Functions

Duties - The following examples are typical work activities that are meant to illustrate the general range of work functions and are not meant to be all-inclusive or restrictive:

(80%) Duties Include

• Perform research from the subscription databases, the internet, and other sources as deemed appropriate to develop comprehensive reports for businesses that require in-depth market intelligence;
• Manage MRI Report Requests from receipt to delivery;
• Instruct groups in informal forums and classroom venues as requested;
• Write the desired customized reports to meet the goals and expectations of the requesting businesses;
• Incorporate a high-quality client intake and needs information gathering process into a targeted customized report back to the client business in a responsive manner;
• On occasion, work with SOU faculty for new areas of research to improve the MRI product.

(15%) Duties Include

• Adopt a continuous learning process for accessing information from the associated databases and programs to gain effectiveness and efficiencies, and recommend additional database resources that could be integrated into the MRI to improve the Institute;
• Maintain the OSBDCN website for the MRI content, along with the necessary data inputs, for program continuity and reporting requirements;
• Maintain a project log and generate data regarding the MRI's metrics achieved for reporting to stakeholder groups;
• Develop an effective comprehensive marketing outreach program to stimulate Market Analysis Report requests from other SBDC Centers in the Oregon Network;
• Continue development of a business model to monetize the MRI's capabilities for a wider client and regional audience for primary research projects.

(5%) Duties Include

• Other related projects as assigned

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills; demonstrated ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive interpersonal situations.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
• Expressed ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and research skills; demonstrated ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
• Great ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information. Must be able to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
• Takes initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters
• Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the demonstrated ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Willingness to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires regular interaction with a number of levels within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
• Working knowledge or ability to quickly learn, university infrastructure, policies, and procedures.
• Have the ability to present technical information in seminar and classroom venues to diverse audiences;
• Possess high quality analytic and relational skills in business and in communications;
• Willingness to learn and utilize the various data sources and datasets available in order to produce high-quality specialized market research reports;
• Ability to take direction and to work within parameters to produce on-point data and reports, to communicate the results to client businesses;
• Ability to format documents, develop spreadsheets, and utilize publishing programs in order to produce quality presentations, in narrative and pictorial presentation styles;
• Ability to read and interpret data to provide accurate descriptions of the data contained within the reports and to be able to translate that information into a format understandable to a diverse clientele;
• Have strong writing, organizational, critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills;
• Ability to collaborate with a graduate student assistant to be productive and responsive even though the student may not be present in the office on a regular schedule;
• Be open and available to accepting projects on behalf of the MRI relating to Institute development, database management, marketing, and other areas of need as requested by the Director, and;
• Willingness and ability to adhere to the vision, values, and mission of SOU, and to comply with all applicable rules regarding working with diverse populations

Physical Demands

• Normal office activities such as sitting/standing at a desk, using a computer, answering phones, and communicating in person both in writing and via phone with others.
• Able to move/transport up to 5 pounds on occasion.

Special Conditions

• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
• Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
• This position classification has been defined as non-exempt and is subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• The person holding this position is considered a mandatory reporter under the Oregon Revised Statutes and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon Department of Human Services.
• As lead Data Analyst for the Market Research Institute, this position is
  based in Medford, OR within the offices of the Southern Oregon University
  SBDC. Some potential for a hybrid in-person / virtual work environment
  may be possible upon successful integration into the Oregon Small
  Business Development Network, after a reasonable time and with approval.

_________________________

SOU is an equal access AA/EOE committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Southern Oregon University will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on this application. If, however, you require a reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability, requests must be made in a timely manner to Human Resources.

Diversity Statement:
Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.

SOU Land Acknowledgement
We want to take this moment to acknowledge that Southern Oregon University is located within the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, and Latgawa peoples who lived here since time immemorial. These Tribes were displaced during rapid Euro-American colonization, the Gold Rush, and armed conflict between 1851 and 1856. In the 1850s, discovery of gold and settlement brought thousands of Euro-Americans to their lands, leading to warfare, epidemics, starvation, and villages being burned. In 1853 the first of several treaties were signed, confederating these Tribes and others together – who would then be referred to as the Rogue River Tribe. These treaties ceded most of their homelands to the United States, and in return they were guaranteed a permanent homeland reserved for them. At the end of the Rogue River Wars in 1856, these Tribes and many other Tribes from western Oregon were removed to the Siletz Reservation and the Grand Ronde Reservation. Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (https://www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (https://www.ctsi.nsn.us/) are living descendants of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of this area. We [you may say I or the name of a program/department] encourage YOU to learn about the land you reside on, and to join us in advocating for the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people.

Notice to Prospective Employees
Section 485 of the Higher Education Act, and The Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (now referred to as the “Clery Act”), require that prospective employees be notified of the availability of SOU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report provides the annual statistics and campus policies for the reporting of and responding to campus crimes and fires; access to campus facilities; conduct code and campus policies on the use, possession, and sale of drugs/alcohol; and educational/information programs to inform the campus community about campus security procedures and crime prevention.

An electronic copy of the Annual Security Report (ASR)can be accessed at the following link:
https://inside.sou.edu/security/statistics.html. A physical copy of the ASR is available at no charge upon request. To request a copy please visit the Campus Public Safety Office at 382 Wightman Street, Ashland OR 97520. For more information call 541-552-6258, or email clerycoordinator@sou.edu.