Principal Researcher, Program Evaluation (Grant-funded)

Weekly Work Hours

Compensation Range

Salary Minimum

FLSA

Work Location

• All positions are considered on-site roles.
• After six months of employment, some positions may be eligible to apply for a hybrid work arrangement based on job responsibilities, operational needs, supervisor approval, and Dallas College policy.
• Academic (Faculty) positions require an on-campus presence, even when teaching online courses, in accordance with state law.

Position Type

Position / Job Summary

The Center for Student Parent Success (CSPS) coordinates and expands services across Dallas College's seven campuses to help student parents balance academic, family, and work responsibilities. The Principal Researcher leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of CSPS's research agenda, using mixed-methods approaches to assess programs and guide data-informed decision-making. Reporting to the Executive Director of CSPS and collaborating with the Student Outcomes Lab at The Research Institute at Dallas College, this role produces the evidence base that informs institutional strategy, resource allocation, and program improvements to advance student parent success.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of needs assessments and formative, summative, and outcome evaluations using established program evaluation frameworks (e.g., Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems).

• Design and implement quantitative and qualitative data collection strategies and instruments, including surveys, evaluation rubrics, and interview and focus group protocols, and develop sampling approaches.

• Apply quantitative methods to assess student outcomes using survey and college administrative data.

• Conduct foundational research (e.g., literature reviews, data exploration, consultation with subject-matter experts) to inform evaluation design.

• Collaborate with team members and stakeholders to evaluate student parents' access to, utilization of, and satisfaction with CSPS programs and services, as well as related academic outcomes.

• Synthesize research findings and translate results into actionable recommendations that inform Center strategy, policy, and resource allocation decisions.

• Produce high-quality reports, memos, briefs, and presentations to communicate research findings to stakeholders and leadership.

• Complete required Dallas College professional development and human subjects research training each academic year (minimum of 19 hours; people leaders complete an additional 16 hours of leadership development).

• Performs other job duties as assigned.

The following duties are required for People Leader roles specifically:

• Exercises discretion and decision-making authority in the recruitment, selection, hiring, coaching, development, and termination of staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and workforce planning strategies.

• Drives high performance by administering the performance management process, setting clear expectations, conducting evaluations, and implementing initiatives that enhance employee engagement and retention.

Minimum and Preferred - Education, Experience, and/or Certifications

Minimum Qualifications for Role

• Bachelor's degree in social science or education with coursework in program evaluation, research design, qualitative and quantitative methodology, statistics, or related discipline

• At least three (3) years of post-undergraduate/graduate experience conducting program evaluations in education or a related field, including survey design, data collection, and analysis, and qualitative research methods

• Expertise in program evaluation and qualitative/quantitative research methods and analysis

• Demonstrated experience in academic and research-focused writing

• Official transcripts required

Preferred Qualifications for Role

• Master's degree in a social science discipline (e.g., Education, Sociology, Public Policy, Economics, Psychology)

Conditions of Employment

• Valid driver's license required

• Subject to a criminal background check; some positions may require a fingerprint-based background check

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

We are looking for experience in the following areas:

• Expertise in program evaluation and assessment

• Expertise in qualitative research design, data collection, and analysis

• Expertise in survey design, collection, and data analysis

• Proficiency in descriptive and inferential quantitative analysis

• Experience with data analysis software; familiarity with data visualization tools is a plus.

• Exceptional written communication and report-writing skills for research and general audiences

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Work Condition Environment / Physical Requirements

Normal physical job functions performed within a standard office environment. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.