Res Assc-Social Science IV

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

The UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government - Who We Are
As a Public Service and Outreach unit at the University of Georgia, the UGA Institute of Government contributes directly to the university's overarching public service mission of improving people's lives by helping to create jobs and prosperity, developing leaders, and addressing critical issues. This public service mission, and the Institute of Government's role in its success, is at the heart of UGA's land-grant and sea-grant mission to serve the State of Georgia and its residents.

We have a wide range of experts who inform, inspire, and innovate every day so that governments, large and small, can be more efficient and responsive to their citizens, address current and emerging challenges, and serve the public with excellence. We are uniquely positioned to provide impartial support to local governments and state agencies and convene multi-disciplinary and intragovernmental groups to plan for and address many of the challenges faced by communities across Georgia.

Our areas of expertise and focus include workforce and economic development; infrastructure and community resilience; government operations and organizational effectiveness; measuring and reporting on impact and outcomes; building skills, knowledge and capacity of government leaders and teams; and maximizing technology and data for governments and their leaders.

Whether it is through our award-winning PROPEL (Planning Rural Opportunities for Prosperity and Economic Leadership) program for rural communities, our CyberArch student program that helps Georgia communities increase their cybersecurity, our efforts to build a visionary plan for military and community partnerships to spur economic prosperity and resilient infrastructure, our financial management certificate program to build the capacity of public officials, or hosting educational events about e-mobility strategies for local governments .... We Know Georgia. Fulfilling our land-grant and sea-grant mission to serve the State of Georgia is more than a project. It's our purpose.

We are growing and excited to add individuals to our team who share our commitment to public service - building stronger communities, inspiring economic resilience, and improving quality of life for communities across Georgia and beyond.

Our Culture - How We Operate
We disseminate knowledge through research, scholarship, and instruction. We collaborate internally across our areas of expertise and across the university with academic researchers to bring best practices and expert insights to the governments and communities we serve. We are committed to fielding a team of experts who have a variety of professional and academic experiences and are grounded in our culture of excellence and approach our work with Georgia's governments in a comprehensive and objective fashion.

This position is part-time at 20 hours per week.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

* Terminal degree in public administration, public policy, political science, organizational leadership, sociology, economics, statistics, or a related discipline.
* Significant experience conducting applied research, organizational assessments, operational analyses, or technical assistance initiatives within local government, higher education, nonprofit, or public sector environments.
* Proven track record supporting or leading complex qualitative and quantitative research initiatives involving staffing studies, operational assessments, financial analysis, program evaluation, or organizational effectiveness efforts.
* Demonstrated success collaborating directly with local government officials, executive leadership, elected officials, or public sector stakeholders on applied research or technical assistance projects.
* Experience translating complex research findings into practical recommendations, technical assistance deliverables, reports, presentations, or stakeholder communications for client audiences.
* Competency in supporting project planning, execution, stakeholder engagement, and coordination across multiple concurrent applied research or technical assistance initiatives.
* Experience presenting research findings, facilitating stakeholder discussions, or contributing to client-facing technical assistance and organizational consulting activities.

This senior-level position, within the Government Services and Research Division's Local Government Unit, supports the Institute's diverse portfolio of applied research and technical assistance work addressing local government operations, organizational effectiveness, staffing analyses, and financial studies. This position conducts significant applied research and technical assistance while serving as senior collaborator and managing complex public sector initiatives under the general guidance of faculty and project leadership.

The role drives substantive aspects of project execution, including research design, qualitative and quantitative analysis, data interpretation, and the creation of final deliverables. To ensure seamless project planning and continuity across multiple concurrent initiatives, the position collaborates closely with faculty, research professionals, local government officials, and external stakeholders.

This role requires a high degree of professional judgment, independent analytical thinking, and the ability to translate complex research into actionable recommendations for local government clients. Additional responsibilities include contributing to proposal development, supporting project coordination, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and driving the continued growth and effectiveness of the Local Government Unit's applied research and technical assistance services.

* Office work, prolonged sitting, computer work, and occasional lifting of materials up to 20 pounds.
* Position may require local and regional travel, including attendance at client meetings, project site visits, presentations, training events, and stakeholder engagement activities.
* Overnight travel required on occasion.

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Applied Research & Technical Assistance
Lead and oversee significant applied research and technical assistance projects related to local government operations, organizational assessments, staffing analyses, financial and expenditure studies, and other public sector initiatives. Direct research design, methodology development, data collection strategies, and project implementation activities. Exercise primary responsibility for substantive project outcomes while providing guidance to project team members and collaborating with faculty, clients, and stakeholders.

Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis/Research Deliverables
Lead the development and interpretation of complex qualitative and quantitative analyses and oversee the preparation of research findings, technical assistance deliverables, reports, presentations, and stakeholder communications. Provide expert recommendations and ensure the quality, accuracy, and methodological integrity of research products and client deliverables.

Client Engagement & Stakeholder Collaboration
Serve as a primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders, leading engagement efforts and facilitating project discussions, interviews, presentations, and technical assistance activities. Build and maintain effective relationships with faculty, local government officials, and project partners while providing guidance on project direction and implementation.

Project Coordination & Applied Research Support
Direct and oversee project activities, deliverables, budgets, schedules, and work assignments across multiple concurrent projects and interdisciplinary teams. Provide guidance to project contributors, coordinate delegated work activities, and maintain accountability for project progress and successful completion. Lead proposal development and project planning efforts associated with Local Government Unit initiatives.

Professional Development & Research Innovation
Provide leadership in advancing innovative research and technical assistance approaches. Monitor emerging trends, methodologies, and best practices and recommend enhancements to services, research methods, and project delivery. Contribute to the strategic development of the Local Government Unit's research and technical assistance portfolio.