Senior Planning and Research Analyst


Campus: Cañada College

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Schedule: 40

Bargaining Unit: Classified Professional (non-represented)

Months Per Year: 12

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Campus Security Authority: No

Under the direction of the Dean of Planning, Research, Innovation, and Effectiveness (PRIE), the Senior Planning and Research Analyst is the lead project manager designing and directing operations and activities involved in the development and support of an integrated and robust planning and research infrastructure. This includes managing the research, review, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of a variety of data and information used to assess institutional effectiveness; evaluating grant-funded research projects; and determining the implications and impacts of college practices, policies, initiatives, and procedures. The Senior Planning and Research Analyst will play a leading role in the coordination, development, and maintenance of decision-making support and reporting systems and procedures, and in the design and evaluation of the College's strategic goal metrics and Education Master Plan outcomes.

Excellent writing, communication, and analytical skills are essential, as is the capacity to exercise a high degree of independent judgment and creativity to develop and oversee initiatives, projects, studies, and surveys supportive of college planning, research, and institutional effectiveness. The ability to produce sophisticated reports and communicate complex information effectively to a broad range of audiences is required. Professional interaction with College and District staff, faculty, and administrators is a key component of the role. The Senior Planning and Research Analyst may supervise the work of paraprofessional, clerical, and other staff as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

1. Participates in the design and execution of the agenda of the Planning, Research, Innovation, and Effectiveness (PRIE) Office, under the direction of the Dean
2. Demonstrates professionalism and expertise in developing and communicating effective practices in planning and research that enhance the effectiveness of the College to realize its mission, vision, and values
3. Maintains detailed awareness of Statewide initiatives, trends, and legislation impacting California Community Colleges. Coordinates PRIE reporting to meet CCCO requirements
4. Independently represents the PRIE office in varied settings, including regional and State conferences, and in advising the planning, research, innovation, and effectiveness efforts that take place in divisions, programs, and committees across the campus
5. Enhances institutional effectiveness by identifying grant opportunities that align with the College's Mission, Vision, Values, and Education Master Plan. Supports College initiatives through grant-writing, research design, and project evaluation
6. Effectively communicates and collaborates with the Dean and staff of the PRIE office, with SMCCCD colleagues, and with faculty and staff across the College, to exemplify a collegial and team-oriented work environment
7. Manages and prioritizes PRIE data and research requests to ensure that College program needs and external reporting requirements are effectively met
8. Serves as PRIE's liaison with external agencies, vendors, and consultants. Effectively manages the work of external consultants and service providers
9. Advises College faculty and staff in the identification and selection of appropriate quantitative and qualitative methodologies for purposes of evaluating, assessing, and improving College programs and services
10. Creates and validates survey instruments, and advises College faculty and staff in the use of survey tools and other research instruments and methodologies
11. Designs and conducts focus groups with students, faculty, staff, and members of the community; interprets the results through qualitative research reports
12. Coordinates with ITS and other technical staff to analyze and resolve more complex problems as they occur; attends workshops, seminars, and other meetings to obtain current information
13. Communicates research via various report formats, including summaries of statistical studies, narrative reports and research monographs for publication, including tables, graphs, and charts
14. Trains and coordinates the work of office staff and student assistants as assigned
15. Performs other duties as assigned

Employment Standards (acquired through education, training, and/or experience)

Knowledge of:

1. 
   Qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and their application to understanding and communicating institutional and organizational phenomena
   

Skill in:

1. Using various spreadsheets, database query tools (including join logic), and other software to analyze complex statistical, demographic, and other educational data to draw conclusions, develop proposals, and test research hypotheses
2. Conceptualizing, designing, developing, evaluating, and monitoring both qualitative and quantitative research projects and reporting strategies
3. Collaborating with technical and non-technical groups comprised of individuals from various constituencies and levels within an organization
4. Training, directing, and evaluating the work of others
5. Communication, both in writing and orally, including public and persuasive speaking
6. Demonstrated proficiency in using and applying data analysis, data visualization (e.g., Tableau or Power BI), and related reporting tools
7. Using desktop applications such as Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and managing databases
8. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, particularly the use of pivot tables and X, V, or HLOOKUP functions

Ability to:

1. Think critically and strategically, and anticipate needs before they arise
2. Use various data management tools, techniques, and procedures
3. Design presentation graphics that communicate complex statistical information to technical and non-technical audiences.
4. Communicate respectfully with people at various levels in organizations who are of diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in social science, public policy, statistics, higher education administration, or a closely related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Four (4) years of successful work experience of increasing responsibility involving statistical research, review, analysis, interpretation, and reporting
• Experience working with institutional research and planning functions
• Successful experience collaborating with others in determining educational and financial effectiveness, and operational efficiency of various institutional-level programs and services
• Expertise with qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff

Preferred

• Experience in higher education, qualitative and quantitative research
• Experience with SAP Business Objects, Ellucian Banner ERP System, Hyperion, and/or SPSS

Additional Information:
Physical/Other Requirements

This classification requires abstract conceptualization, multi-level tasking; strategic planning; creativity in writing and presentation of ideas in both narrative and graphical formats; understanding of effective communication of data information in a web-based format; attention to detail and organization of data; complex data analysis for creation of conclusions; active listening; individual to large-group communication; persuasive communication; good memory; tact, patience, and flexibility to perform the essential functions.

Benefits: Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Classified employees participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California. Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

EEO Statement: San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities.

Our EEO Plan grounded in Title 5 regulations is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2025 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2022-2024) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2025 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2025 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.


Closes: 5/13/2026

To apply, visit http://smccd.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=199462

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