About Arkansas Tech:

Founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech University is a comprehensive public institution with a rich history, maintaining regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and classification as a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) level III institution. ATU was ranked the No. 1 regional public university in Arkansas by U.S. News and World Report in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and CollegeNET recognizes ATU as the No. 1 institution in Arkansas on its Social Mobility Index. Since 2019, Arkansas Tech has been the host institution for the prestigious Arkansas Governor’s School. The 559-acre Russellville campus, located in the scenic Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, is just one hour from the capital city of Little Rock. Russellville features a charming blend of historic and modern architecture as well as the recreational opportunities provided by Lake Dardanelle and several state parks. Offering more than 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degree and certificate programs across five academic colleges and two campuses, Arkansas Tech strives to provide a solid educational foundation for life-long learning to a diverse community. For more information about Arkansas Tech University and the surrounding community, please visit our website at www.atu.edu/hr to find our “Live Here” informational resources.

Position Summary:

Reports directly to the Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness and is responsible for assisting with the coordination, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive program of institutional research, including maintaining data systems, data collection and storage, analysis, interpretation, and reporting. The Institutional Research Associate is also the primary administrator of the IR&E web server overseeing its functionality, security, and accessibility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Institutional Research Program Coordination: Assist in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive institutional research program to support the university's strategic goals and decision-making.

Data Systems Maintenance, Collection and Storage: Maintain data collection and storage systems used by IR&E on the public ATU website as well as the internal IR&E web server and the University SIS - Ellucian Banner. Collect, aggregate and store data from diverse sources both within the university and external to the university while ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of data acquisition.

Data Analysis: Conduct research and data analysis using relevant statistical methodologies and tools to extract meaningful insights and trends.

Data Interpretation: Interpret analyzed data to provide clear and actionable insights for university stakeholders (internal and external), facilitating data-informed decision-making.

Reporting: Develop informative reports, visualizations, and dashboards that effectively communicate research findings to a wide range of audiences, including senior management, faculty, staff and external constituents.

Web Server Administration: Act as the primary administrator of the Institutional Research & Effectiveness (IR&E) web server, overseeing its functionality, security, and accessibility.

Tool Maintenance: Maintain and update all reporting tools and resources hosted on the IR&E web server, ensuring their reliability and relevance.

Database Management: Manage and maintain data repositories and databases owned by institutional research, ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility.

Compliance and Data Security: Ensure that all data collection and handling activities adhere to relevant data privacy and compliance regulations, including FERPA, GDPR, or other applicable standards.

Documentation: Maintain thorough and organized documentation of data sources, methodologies, and analytical processes for transparency, auditing, and continuity purposes.

Training and Support: Provide training, guidance, and support to university staff and faculty members in utilizing reporting tools and interpreting their results.

Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of best practices in institutional research, data analysis, and web server administration, and implement improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.

Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and departments to ensure the seamless flow of information and data for decision-making.

Quality Assurance: Implement quality assurance processes to verify the accuracy and consistency of data used in research activities.

Project Management: Manage research projects, including setting objectives, timelines, and resource allocation, to meet institutional and office goals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

A Bachelor's degree in Computer/Information Science or related field, or equivalent experience in a field of Computer/Information Science/Institutional Research that employs significant data analysis capabilities in addition to specific knowledge of web servers and/or the ability to navigate Linux environments.

Minimum Requirements:

A Bachelor's degree in Computer/Information Science or related field, or equivalent experience in a field of Computer/Information Science/Institutional Research that employs significant data analysis capabilities in addition to specific knowledge of web servers and/or the ability to navigate Linux environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

A Master's degree in Computer/Information Science, Statistics, or related field.

Four or more years work experience in higher education, preferably in institutional research or related office; broad knowledge of data interpretation, statistical analysis, computer skills including the use of Excel, SAS, SQL, HTML, PHP, and Linux; leadership and communications skills.

Experience with the Ellucian Banner system. Direct experience with Linux based web server administration.