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Position Title:Design Research & Outreach Program Specialist

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in planning or design related field

Independent Review Board (IRB) Certification

Experience with survey design and analysis (qualitative and quantitative)

Strong facilitation, writing, and community engagement skills

Experience conducting community site visits across Iowa

Job Description:

Summary

The Design Research & Outreach Program Specialist position will support the research and outreach mission of the Institute for Design Research and Outreach office in the College of Design. Specific areas of responsibilities will include

+ Research and Survey Support

+ Research and Outreach Program Implementation

Research and Survey Support involves supporting faculty and clients in survey development, data analysis, report preparation and proposal development. Research and Outreach Program Implementation involves leading and managing special projects, organizing design workshops, coordinating community outreach field studies, preparing reports and materials development.

Position Description & Responsibilities

Research & Survey Support

+ Assist in the development of survey questions.

+ Manage the data gathering process, especially Qualtrics online survey.

+ Enter data and analyze survey results quantitatively and qualitatively.

+ Prepare graphs and tables presenting survey results.

+ Draft written reports presenting survey and results.

+ Advise faculty and staff on survey preparation, IRB requirements and support as needed.

+ Prepare and present final reports to clients.

+ Assist in the preparation of proposals that include research and survey elements.

Research & Outreach Program Implementation

Lead special projects initiated by the IDRO office, and specifically, the Mayors’ Design Workshop. Duties include coordinating and leading regular team meetings, setting activity delivery calendar, defining major project delivery elements, researching and identifying target communities and mayors for participation, communicating with participants, organizing workshops and field visits, coordinating faculty, staff, and students engaged in the project, support resource team members, prepare reports and materials.

Support special projects such as IDRO Research and Outreach Day, Friday Research Seminars, etc.

Level Guidelines• Individual contributor position with developing professional and/or technical skills working under immediate to general supervision• Grasps professional-level knowledge and concepts of field while working in a progressive learning mode• Works on problems and issues of somewhat limited scope• Follows standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data for which answers are available or can be obtained• Responds to inquiries and issues, escalating to manager or higher level workers as appropriate• May lead projects of limited scope and complexity• May provide guidance to students

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:December 21, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS806

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: November 21, 2025

Posting Close Date:November 28, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18148

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.