Research and Evaluation Officer

Future Generations Graduate School seeks a Research and Evaluation Officer to lead in data collection and analysis for an extremely innovative educational program in West Virginia. With a $4.4 million grant from the American Recovery Act, Future Generations Graduate School will establish 60 computer labs and training centers in the existing facilities of volunteer fire and rescue squads across the state, with a concentration in the southern coalfields. The purpose is to make high-speed internet useful to West Virginia’s families and to engage fire and rescue squad members in the promotion of broadband and computers.

Core Responsibilities

The Research and Evaluation Officer will organize baseline and final surveys to evaluate increases in home and business broadband adoption rates, provide more data and evidence on statewide barriers to adoption, and work with project team members to adjust training and marketing efforts accordingly, as well as work with the project’s 60 fire and emergency rescue squads to deploy broadband marketing plans across their counties.

Key indicators of program effectiveness will include such quantitative data as:

• level of demand for keeping fire and rescue squad computer facilities open beyond the ten-hour weekly minimum;
• number of volunteers who commit time to the project and the amount of time they commit
• number of users, both individuals and groups
• number of training program participants
• number of people purchasing refurbished computers from the project
• number of community-based groups using the facilities
• number of new state and local agencies and organizations providing relevant broadband training above and beyond partners identified for this proposal
• number of new household subscribers
• number of new small business websites started as well as number of new business broadband subscribers
• a baseline and final evaluation of participant knowledge and use of broadband, extending Future Generations survey of fire and rescue stations to community-wide household surveys

Beyond the quantitative data, surveys and focus groups will also gather more open-ended, subjective input from community members to help understand the barriers to broadband adoption and to offer practical solutions.

The Research and Evaluation Officer will be supported in data collection and monitoring by volunteer squad members, local computer mentors, and the project’s deputy directors and logistics coordinator.

Qualifications for this position

• Prior experience in social science research and organizing household surveys
• Proven skills in data collection and statistical analysis
• A Master’s degree (or Bachelor’s Degree with exceptional experience directly relevant to this position)
• An interest in and commitment to improving lives of the disadvantaged

Organizational Information: Future Generations Graduate School is located at the headwaters of the Potomac River, on a mountaintop a three-hour drive west of Washington, DC in rural West Virginia. Additional information about the organization and program can be found on our web sites: www.future.edu and www.future.org. 

Terms of Employment: This is a full-time position. Salary is commensurate with experience and competitive with other non-profit organizations in West Virginia. Health insurance is included.  The position is open and employment will begin as soon as possible. This position reports to the Project Director of the West Virginia Broadband Program.

Submit Applications (CV, cover letter explaining interest and qualifications, and the names of three references) to: rebecca@future.org