The Student Services Administration in Student Experience and Support is currently seeking a Part-time Limited Term Indigenous Retention Research Assistant for approximately 6 months.

The Indigenous Retention Research Assistant reports to the Specialist, Indigenous Student Success and Retention. Working independently, the incumbent will research and draft a benchmarking report related to Indigenous student access and transition support programs within Canada, and make recommendations for program enhancements, additions, or adjustments. Additionally, the incumbent will conduct focus groups and research with graduates from the Indigenous Student Access Program (ISAP) to include in the development of the report. The incumbent will undertake a longitudinal study analyzing retention and graduation rates of students who have participated in ISAP. Working with the Specialist, the Manager of Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Senior Director of Student Affairs, the incumbent will help establish learning outcomes for ISAP supports and related evaluation plans to measure impact against established outcomes, and to support reporting requirements within Student Experience and Support (SES) and institutionally.

The incumbent will have a strong background in research, including environmental scans, literature reviews, focus groups, and other methods of data collection. Experience in data analysis, evaluation, and reporting, as well as strong professional judgment and organizational skills are required.

The term of this position is 6 months. The hours of work are up to 21 hours per week, including a bi-weekly meeting with the Specialist, Indigenous Student Success and Retention. Some flexibility of hours worked may be required to accommodate project demands.

This role supports the continued indigenization of the University of Calgary. Click here to see more job opportunities with an Indigenous scope.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Responsible for collecting, evaluating, analyzing, and organizing evidence to support longitudinal data benchmarking, and will work with other staff/students involved to meet that goal.
• Conversant with the relevant issues in this area, acts as a resource for others working in the area, and is accomplished at collecting, analyzing and reporting data.
• Under minimal supervision and direction of the Specialist, identify and collect data from a range of information sources.
• Ensure data analysis is done to high standards.
• Ensure data is securely stored in a database, and that it can be retrieved for analysis in a consistent and organized fashion.
• Collaborate regularly and closely with team members as required to conduct research, obtain and verify results, and to plan outreach activities.
• Interact frequently with internal and external stakeholders to gather information and also to share research findings with stakeholders as needed.
• Coordinate and develop a range of research-related activities.
• Write benchmarking reports, including program recommendations, based on findings.
• Establish program learning outcomes and evaluation plans.
• Meet deadlines to ensure project continues to progress on schedule.
• Demonstrate strong communication, team and collaboration skills, ability to exercise judgment and maintain confidentiality.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Master degree preferred.
• Minimum of one year of experience in conducting educational research, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, is considered.
• Fundamental understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Proficient in skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Internet Skills, and programs for organizing information.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge about Indigenous peoples, cultures and history.
• Knowledge about regional Indigenous cultural protocols.
• Experience within Indigenous programs, communities, or organizations.
• Experience in research related to postsecondary education.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to pay attention to detail and accurately perform work.