Job Summary:

Synergy Enterprises, Inc., a minority, and woman-owned government contractor located in North Bethesda, MD, currently has an opportunity for a full-time Research Associate (at least 30 hours a week). This position is remote.

This position is an integral part of the Data & Evaluation Team, which works to support primarily education and public health-based projects across the company. Candidates will have proficiency in the data collection, cleaning, analysis, and visualization process. This role involves working with Data Team members to translate raw data into insightful visuals, such as charts, graphs, dashboards, and interactive displays, using visualization software to engage in data storytelling customized for a variety of target audiences. Ideal candidates will have experience working in the education and/or public health domains as evidenced by subject matter expertise and/or experience analyzing and evaluating data sets in these domains. Ability to work independently, as well as a contributing member of a larger team, to communicate areas of strength as well as areas in need of support are critical to working effectively in this role.

Strong candidates will demonstrate proficiency in the following domains:

• Data Visualization: Experience using data visualization tools and software to create compelling and interactive visualizations. Experience with Tableau required, Power BI or D3.js a plus.
• Data Analysis: Ability to analyze data sets varying in size to identify trends, patterns, and key insights that can be communicated effectively through visualizations. Experience with data analysis software such as R, Stata, SAS, Excel, Python, SPSS, QDA Miner, or Google Analytics.
• Data Storytelling: Experience selecting the most appropriate visualizations to fit the data and crafting a narrative that guides the intended audience through the insights.
• Survey Development: Proficiency using survey platforms such as Qualtrics, including ability to work with Senior Research Associate to support survey creation, distribution, and data management.
• Evaluation & Report Writing: Experience designing and implementing evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of programs, including interpreting data from multiple sources to derive meaningful insights. Ability to craft clear and concise reports that communicate findings to internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Collaboration: Ability to collaborate with data scientists, communication specialists, and SMEs in public health and education to understand data requirements and ensure that visualizations accurately represent the underlying data. Experience working with data from any of the following content areas is advantageous:  elementary or secondary education, behavioral health (substance use specifically).
• Data Security & Privacy: Understanding and adherence to data security and privacy considerations, especially when dealing with sensitive or confidential data.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Social or Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, or a related field; Master’s Degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to facilitate strong written and oral data presentations in addition to the statistical software referenced above.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail, particularly to ensure data and reporting meet high standards, such as compliance to federal guidelines.
• Able to obtain necessary clearances from various Federal agencies.
• Team player who will jump in and take on tasks as needed (willingness to learn new skills or content areas, ask questions)
• Self-starter with strong time management and multitasking skills.

Other job requirements:

Physical demands and work environment:

• Physical demands:  While performing the job duties, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop; bend; push; turn; crawl; sit; use hands to handle objects and documents; manipulate objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.  Employees may occasionally land/or move up to 20 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, recognizing, registering, and responding, color recognition, depth perception. Employees may use office equipment such as telephone, computer, computer software, calculator, printer, copier, and facsimile. 
• Work environment: Employees are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of employees so classified