Research Analyst

Agupdate; Santa Ana (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Rancho Santiago Community College District seeks a Research Analyst to design and implement research projects, collect and analyze data, and report findings to inform district programs and policies. You will work with faculty and staff to ensure research quality and relevance.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree with a statistics/CS/education background and at least three years of research experience, with a commitment to diversity and equity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with background in statistics, CS, educational program delivery or management.
• At least three years of research experience.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and designs research studies, instruments, and data collection plans.
• Analyzes data and produces reports to inform policy and practice.
• Coordinates dissemination of findings and liaises with stakeholders.

Skills

Research design

Data analysis

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in statistics, computer science, educational program delivery or management

Job description

Research Analyst

Rancho Santiago Community College District

Salary Range: Grade 17: $94,680.14 - $120,958.32

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: CL26-01459

Location: 2323 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA

Division: DO Educational Services

Closing: 10/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

POSITION DETAILS

About Rancho Santiago Community College District

RSCCD is one of the most established districts in the state and has been in operation for nearly 50 years. Located in the heart of Orange County, it is one of the largest of California's 72 community college districts, based on the number of credit and non-credit students. RSCCD encompasses 25 percent of Orange County's total area and serves a population of more than 700,000 residents in the communities of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and portions of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Tustin, and Yorba Linda. The district includes Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College, as well as the Centennial and Orange Continuing Education Centers, the Digital Media Center, the Joint Powers Fire Training Center, the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy, the College and Workforce Preparation Center, and the District Operations Center. RSCCD's three (3) auxiliary Foundations are actively involved in supporting both community and campus programs. RSCCD's student population is a direct reflection of the diverse communities in the surrounding neighborhoods. As a whole, the district has the honor of serving approximately 55,537 students: 51% Hispanic/Latinx, 20% White, 9% Asian & Filipino, and 2% are African American. RSCCD is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and serves predominately historically underrepresented students. There is a commitment to foster student centered values among our employees to provide equitable student learning, academic excellence, and workforce development. By delivering high-quality educational programs and student support services, the district ensures that students have the appropriate resources to achieve their goals.

About the Position

The ideal candidate will demonstrate cultural competency in serving diverse community college populations, including faculty, management, and students from varied ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This includes those with differing abilities, AB 540 students, DACA recipients, Foreign Residents, VACA participants, and Continuing Education students. They will support RSCCD's mission to promote self-awareness, knowledge, and communication skills, enabling all members of the college community to participate creatively and confidently in an ever-changing world.

Candidates will contribute to an inclusive and collaborative workplace culture that supports the diverse needs of faculty, management, staff, and students. They will effectively provide services and support to individuals with differing academic preparation levels and unique learning or workplace needs, ensuring equitable access and opportunities for success. Candidates should demonstrate cultural competency, sensitivity, equity-mindedness, and a commitment to anti-racism in all interactions and contributions. Through their role, they will empower students to achieve their educational and career goals while promoting a positive and inclusive environment where faculty and management can thrive, fostering creativity, confidence, and lifelong learning throughout the college community.

Class Summary

Under direction works with administrative and instructional staff and other community colleges and agencies to develop and implement research studies; identify research questions and appropriate project design, prepare research instruments and implement data collection process, analyze data and produce reports; coordinates and disseminates information; assumes and performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Representative Duties

Prepares research designs and data collection instruments; completes literature reviews; creates data processing designs for the microcomputer and/or mainframe processing of research data; supervises student assistants and the collection of data; analyzes data in relation to policy questions and study purposes; creates statistical tables and graphic displays; writes research reports; presents and disseminates research findings; attends meetings and maintains communication and liaison with research study-related individuals; coordinates ongoing research which may relate to topics such as student retention and tracking, student outcomes, follow-up studies, student skills assessments, demographics, institutional self-study and community and business needs assessments.

Organizational Relationships

This position reports to the designated manager and may supervise the work of student assistants.

QUALIFICATIONS

Training and Experience

Any combination of training and/or experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree with educational background in statistics, computer science, educational program delivery or management; and three years of experience in research or demonstrated ability to conduct such research.

Additional Qualifications

Candidate must demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, staff, and the community.

Knowledge and Abilities

Thorough Knowledge of: research design and methods, analysis, writing and reporting methods.

Good Knowledge of: Statistics, data processing software; data collection instrument development; community college programs.

Ability to: write clear, concise reports; communicate well with other program staff; organize and coordinate projects; initiate, design and complete research projects with a minimum of direction; learn new computer technology and research methods; work cooperatively with others of diverse program backgrounds.

Skills: research, computer, human relations, organizational, and statistical skills sufficient to carry out the job duties successfully.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must submit a complete online Rancho Santiago Community College District application packet. All application materials will be reviewed for completeness by the Recruitment Office. Only complete application packets received by the application deadline will be forwarded to the screening committee for further consideration.

A Complete Application Packet Must be Submitted by the Closing Date and Include the Following:

Rancho Santiago Community College District Online ApplicationCover Letter Resume (detailing all relevant education, training, certifications, and professional experience)

Academic Transcripts (unofficial copies of all undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate coursework)

Important:

Copies of diplomas or degrees will not be accepted in lieu of transcripts. Applications submitted without the required transcripts will be considered incomplete and will not be advanced in the selection process.

Foreign Degrees

Degrees and coursework completed outside of the United States must be evaluated by an agency approved by, or affiliated with, National Association of Credentials Evaluation Service (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE), or California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Applicants are responsible for obtaining and submitting the required credential evaluation as part of their application materials.

Application Screening

Job announcements will include screening criteria to be used during screening and interviews. This may include, but is not limited to:Education experience (breadth and depth)Work experience (breadth and depth)Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with othersBilingual ability (if needed) Demonstrated experience and sensitivity to diversity, equity, and inclusion.Professional growth activitiesSpecialized skills trainingLeadership skillsWritten and/or oral communication skillsPresentationProblem Solving.

Interview

Applicants selected for an interview may be required to take additional tests or assessments and will be notified of such prior to the date of the interview. During the oral session, those selected for interviews will, in addition to the above, also be evaluated on the following factors:Oral communication skillsPresentationProblem-solving skills.

Disability Accommodations

Individuals who require reasonable accommodations in the Application or Interviewing Process in accordance with ADA should notify the Recruitment Office in the Human Resources Division at least two days prior to the closing date, by calling [phone].

Conditions of Employment

The selected candidate is required to complete the following before employment as part of the onboarding process:Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States.Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis Exam.Fingerprints (by a Live Scan Agency at the candidate's expense, and clearance must be received before the first day of employment)

EEO STATEMENT

The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is an equal opportunity employer.

The policy of the District is to encourage applications from persons who are economically disadvantaged and individuals belonging to significantly underrepresented groups within the District's workforce, including ethnic and racial minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or political or organizational affiliation.

RSCCD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional employment offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if RSCCD is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.