Data and Evaluation Specialist

The Data and Evaluation Specialist is the leader of Maryland Humanities’ (MH) evaluation efforts and serves as a key member of MH’s team. They will develop, manage, and execute a multi-year organizational evaluation plan that is aligned with Maryland Humanities’ strategic plan and addresses the data needs of key internal and external stakeholders. They will lead in the development of a “culture of learning” that embraces evaluation throughout the organization. They will work in close collaboration with other staff to implement the organization’s Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.

Salary Range: $25,000-$30,000
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; Permanent; Part-time (21 hours/week)
Reports to: Executive Director
Working Conditions: Hybrid
Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Duties/Responsibilities:

Program Evaluation (85%)
• Coordinates and oversees program evaluation for the organization
• Develops the annual program evaluation plan in consultation with Senior Staff and Program Staff
• Develops instruments (surveys, etc.) to collect data from stakeholders
• Assists Program staff in the development and maintenance of effective methods of evaluating outputs, outcomes, and impacts using Logic Model methodology for each program, project, function, or grant
• Develop and manage evaluation databases, including program event logs and other data about program, consumer, and organizational performance
• Create and maintain a database for each survey each year
• Create and maintain dashboards that combine multiple programs and annual data
• Update external databases as needed (Census, MD DOE…)
• Works with Program Officers to operationalize the annual process for Assessment of New Programs and Evaluation/Re-Authorization of existing programs

Organizational Evaluation (10%)
• Coordinates and oversees evaluation for organizational metrics
• Work with staff in understanding the analysis and interpretation of data
• Analysis of data that compares results across prior periods, similar programs or organizations, strategic goals, or nationals standards
• Coordinates with advancement staff to track and report grant deliverables and generate annual data summaries for advocacy and fundraising purposes
• Work closely with advancement staff to determine the most effective communication analytics
• Access data from outside sources (Federation, NEH, Guidestar, Candid, etc.) that provide comparative benchmarks
• Develop personal skill set by utilizing professional development opportunities
• Implement and supervise a system of evaluation services and support of staff on best practices and use of evaluation technologies (Excel, Access, Survey Monkey, Wufoo, Tableau, etc.)

External Relations (5%)
• Serving as chief liaison with outside organizations, such as the NEH or the Federation on related program evaluation projects including participation in Federation’s Data and Evaluation Committee to strengthen council evaluation practices
• Reporting and presentation of results to stakeholders, including the board, NEH, and other program funders, in various forms, including data visualization tools

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience as a program analyst or evaluator, preferably in a nonprofit environment with programs similar to those of Maryland Humanities
• Demonstrated initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote equity, inclusion, and cultural responsiveness, and an understanding of systems of oppression and their impact on community
• Demonstrated commitment to the creation of inclusive spaces and to the equitable treatment of all—including participants, audiences, supporters, staff, and board—at every level of the organization
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and consistency in executing tasks for internal as well as external audiences
• Ability to hold accountability and shared ownership of projects and tasks

Education and Experience:

• Knowledge of program evaluation methodologies and best practices
• Experience in using the Logic Model framework in program planning and evaluation
• Experience with data analysis and evaluation support software (Survey Monkey, Scantron Survey Tracker, or the equivalent)

Preferred Attributes and Qualities:

• Skilled in examining and re-engineering evaluation operations and procedures
• Adaptable to change
• Strong communication and active listening skills with coworkers and a wide range of stakeholders
• Ability to translate data and evaluation concepts to staff less familiar with that realm
• Dependability and timeliness
• Ability to anticipate needs and align resources
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively
• Ability to think creatively and strategically

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Maryland Humanities offices are located in Baltimore, MD. The office is open for staff to work from as needed. Each staff person is expected to join on-site team meetings at least 1 day per month. This position will be expected to attend Maryland Humanities’ programmatic events.
• Must reside in or relocate to Maryland
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer

Additional Details:

No one candidate will be perfect for this job. The skills and experience needed to be successful in this job exist on a spectrum. Frequently cited statistics show that candidates with disabilities, BIPOC candidates, women, and members of marginalized and/or systematically excluded groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Maryland Humanities is happy to leave that statistic in the past. No one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. Please just apply.

What we are offering

• The annual salary for this position is $25,000-$30,000.
• Employees are eligible for employer-provided health and dental insurance coverage (two plans offered, including one 100% employer paid), flex benefits, retirement (including a 4% employer contribution), monthly stipend to offset parking and/or work-from-home expenses, and annual funding for professional development.
• This position will receive 13 days of vacation per year and 8 days of sick leave per year as well as access to advance and donated leave if needed
• 15 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays prorated for part time. Access to holiday exchange (i.e. observing Eid Al-Adha instead of Christmas)
• We offer a sabbatical with up to 6 weeks after five years of service and up to 10 weeks after 10 or more years of service.
• We offer Extended Family and Medical Leave of 12 weeks with additional eligibility for 4 weeks of a gradual return to work
• We traditionally close the offices at the end of the year, Dec 24–Jan 1.

Maryland Humanities’ staff have established shared working values, linked here.

What to expect

Step one: All submissions will be reviewed and the initial candidate pool will be formed. Not all submissions will make it into the candidate pool. Once the pool of candidates is established, a brief phone interview will be set up with the Executive Director.

Step two: Remaining candidates will take part in an interview with members of the Maryland Humanities Team via Zoom or in-person depending on the state of the pandemic, and the comfort level of everyone involved. The final candidate will be selected after this interview.

Step Three: Selection and placement of the final candidate. Placement for this position is anticipated to occur in September 2022. Once the final candidate has accepted their offer of employment, all other applicants will be notified of their status.

To Apply: Please prepare the following materials: cover letter and résumé via email to hr@mdhumanities.org with the subject line as “Data and Evaluation Specialist;” no phone calls please. For best consideration, applications are due by August 31. Search will remain open until filled.

Maryland Humanities is an equal opportunity employer. It is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Accordingly, all terms and conditions of employment will be carried out without regard to race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, marital status, age, or disability. Maryland Humanities will not tolerate acts deemed to constitute discrimination or harassment based on gender, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.