Research & Innovation Consultant: Open Educational Resources and Educational Out

Job Summary/Basic Function:

Compiles and organizes data to derive meaningful insights. Organizes tasks, documents activities and information, assists with projects. Assists in guiding department work plans based on key metrics and analysis.

This position may have the opportunity to work remotely where all work is performed from an alternative work location either within or outside the state of Idaho.

Department Overview:

The Division of Extended Studies is on a mission to extend higher education beyond traditional boundaries. Our collaborative teams expand student access and improve student success with innovative programs that reach across our metropolitan area, Idaho and beyond. We facilitate online education, community-based programs, concurrent enrollment at high schools, summer sessions, continuing education programs and other lifelong learning options. Join us!

The Boise State eCampus Center is dedicated to expanding online degrees and classes beyond the traditional boundaries to meet the academic needs of students anytime and anywhere. We partner with faculty, departments and leadership to create a high-quality online learning environment for students at Boise State and around the world.

The Research and Innovation Team (RIT) in eCampus Center creates a culture of excellence and innovation in online education. This is accomplished through the vision to promote the effective use of evidence-based practices and innovative strategies. The vision of the RIT is for all online teaching faculty to use evidence-based practices and innovative strategies. To reach this vision RIT will promote the effective use of these tools. In doing so, we will ensure that all student populations benefit from using open education resources (OER) and other innovations. The focus of this position is to provide support for online faculty in teaching their online courses and programs with the use of open pedagogy and open educational resources (OER).

Level Scope:

Fully competent and productive professional contributor who applies acquired job skills, policies, and procedures to complete substantive assignments/projects/tasks of moderate scope and complexity. Works independently with general supervision; exercises judgment within defined guidelines and practices to determine appropriate action. May provide guidance and assistance to entry level professionals and/or support employees.

Essential Functions:

• Prepares deliverables for use in planning and reporting, using appropriate tools.
• Communicates clearly and regularly, follows up on inquiries and requests.
• Learns and adapts new technical/procedural knowledge/skills to keep up to date on professional skills and office needs.
• Creates and maintains documentation.
• Contributes to the development of analytical reports to answer business questions.
• Conducts needs assessments and research.
• Develops productive working relationships with a team and broadly with diverse groups of people.
• Publishes standard and complex ad-hoc reports with varying detail for different audiences.
• Develops and documents procedures to streamline processes and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements
• Works as needed, with functional area data stewards to align or improve processes
• Engage in Data Quality, documentation, and process improvement.
• Assess practices related to open educational resources (OER) for online learning and student success.
• Assist faculty with the scholarship of teaching and learning, including supporting fellowship and grant participants with data queries, cleaning, visualization, and analysis.
• Develop and support Canvas subaccount for Research and Innovation Team including developing the Open Education Development Series.
• Publish and present research and best practices internally and externally.
• Utilize the internal and external knowledge bases for the sharing of timely and accessible current research.
• In collaboration with the eCampus Research and Innovation Assistant Director, identify and support faculty and staff with open educational resources.
• Support eCampus Center staff and faculty with independent research projects including presentations at conferences.
• May perform other duties as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ability to stay highly organized under pressure.
• Good knowledge of fundamentals of reporting and analyses.
• Ability to independently research problem areas.
• Ability to ensure validity, reliability, consistency, accuracy, and timeliness of all work completed.
• Experience developing data models and programming in languages.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Experience with presentation and data gathering software.
• Understanding of applying analytical methods to business problems, driving improved decision making and outcomes.
• A strong understanding of research related to the use of educational innovations.
• Working knowledge of accessibility standards.
• Working knowledge of adoption and change management theories and strategies.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent plus 2 years experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of demonstrated experience working in instructional design, course development, information science, or fostering open educational resources (OER) adoption, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Master’s Degree in Educational Technology, Curriculum and Instruction, Library and Information Science, or related area.
• One year of experience evaluating technologies within an educational setting.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary of $60,000 annually and is commensurate with experience. Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 12 paid holidays AND the University is closed between Christmas and New Year's (requires use of 3 vacation days)
• Between 12-24 annual paid vacation days for full-time Professional and Classified staff depending on position type and years of service
• 9.27% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)
• 11.96% University contribution to your PERSI retirement fund (Classified employees)
• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages
• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents
• See our full benefits page for more information!

Required Application Materials:

Cover Letter.

Resume.

Contact information for 3 references.

About Us:

Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We’re a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

Boise State is proud to be recognized by Forbes as the only Idaho employer listed in the top 100 of all national midsize and large employers. We’re building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho’s Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/