The National Recreation and Park Association is actively recruiting to fill the position of Senior Research Associate.

Summary

This position directs and oversees NRPA’s research and development policies, objectives, and initiatives. Provides vision and direction for the program, reviews and negotiates key research contracts, facilitates the research agenda, coordinates, collaborates with universities, foundations, and government entities and oversees the research project relationships. Creates a competitive and profitable position for NRPA by formulating research and development programs.

The position also delivers a variety of products, based on original NRPA Research and collaborations, for use in the knowledge center and for sale. Will increase NRPA’s capacity (financial, managerial, and intellectual) to act in a strategic, coordinated, and focused fashion in identifying core research areas. Leads and directs the work of others. Provides opportunities for staff, member and partner input on research projects as needed to set the scope. Communicates direction through words or actions to inspire team members to reach goals.

Additionally is familiar with and understands a variety of the field’s concepts, methodologies, practices, and procedures in the field of research and relies on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Develops the strategy and vision to carry out a project from inception through completion; creates teams and collaborations that understand the project’s direction. Also responsible for planning and budgeting.

Duties and Responsibilities

• COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION
  
• DATA ANALYSIS AND REPORT DEVELOPMENT
  
• RESEARCH OVERSIGHT
  
• PROPOSAL CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS
  

DISCOVER the BENEFITS at NRPA!

Conveniently located off the Dulles Greenway, in Brambleton Regional Park in Ashburn, NRPA boasts a warm professional environment, with a relaxing and peaceful view of nature at its finest! All staff have access to indoor & outdoor eating areas, as well as indoor & outdoor fitness opportunities. Our facility has a brand new air-conditioned fitness room with access to showers, as well as foot trails for the outdoor enthusiast. Full time staff enjoy a very rich benefit package that includes group Health, Dental, and Vision for employee and family, paid 80% by the employer; 403(b) fully vested upon hire;; Life insurance, Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability paid 100% by the employer; accrue 26 Paid days off per year plus 13 paid holidays, eligibility in the first month of employment, Length of Service Awards and much, much more! NRPA is committed to promoting an environment of work-life balance. To promote healthy lifestyles, at work and away, we have established prog!

rams like Teleworking, FlexTime Schedules, 37.5 hour work-week, Employee Assistance Programs, Educational Assistance Programs, Lunch-and-Learn sessions and more. Discover what we already know NRPA … a great place to work!

APPLICATION PROCESS

NRPA is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to Diversity. Women and ethnic minorities encouraged to apply.

Requirements/Education:

Masters degree (MA, MS) required, PhD highly preferred. Successful candidate will have 7 – 10 years in planning and conducting research and evaluation, ideally in a higher education setting; P&R experience a plus.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge and understanding of park, recreation and conservation issues. Skilled in quantitative research methods, including statistical analysis, data collection, manipulation, and management.

Should be skilled in qualitative evaluation methods, including articulation of theory of change, case studies, and organizational reviews. Need to be skilled in evaluating programs, such as: developing logic models, identifying key indicators.

Supervise outside evaluators, and designing data collection methods. Ability to build and maintain credibility with academics in related fields. Understand that the research agenda is going to be applied as an actionable and translatable resource to practitioners.

Exceptional organization and time management skills including multi-tasking and the ability to set/adapt to changing priorities. Ability to interact effectively with all levels of personnel. Must be able prepare reports, presentations, and other documents that make complex topics, data, and analysis understandable to a variety of audiences using narratives, tables, graphs, and maps.

Will represent NRPA as needed at meetings and other forums with a variety of agencies, groups and organizations. Can work occasionally outside of normal business hours in order to meet project deadlines. Be able to travel to off-site locations as needed to perform job functions.

Technology:

Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Access, and other MS based programs),Microsoft Outlook, Data querying tools (example: SQL), Statistical Analysis software (Example: SPSS, SAS), FTP, Internet.

Please visit the following web address or the NRPA website to apply for this position: https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=314632 <https://home.eease.com/recruit/?id=314632> .

Thanks,

Amy Roussos

Manager, Branch/Section Services

National Recreation and Park Association

22377 Belmont Ridge Road

Ashburn, VA 20148

703-858-2153

aroussos@nrpa.org