Assessment Specialist

Assessment Specialist

Collections, Assessment, & Organizational Effectiveness - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (26002855)

The Assessment Specialist is a mid-level professional position within the library’s Assessment and Quality Assurance Unit, a three-person team dedicated to building an evidence-based culture across library services. Reporting to the Assessment Coordinator, this role has three core areas of responsibility: collaborating with library departments to conduct research into user behaviors, needs, and preferences, with findings shared in support of service development and improvement initiatives; maintaining the Unit’s data infrastructure, including its website and resource repository, to ensure reliable access to assessment materials; and building and sustaining assessment capacity across the library by working alongside colleagues to deepen their engagement with assessment data and methods, introducing emerging tools and approaches as the field evolves. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and curious researcher, with a strong background in social research methods or a related discipline, who is committed to making assessment an ongoing, integrated part of library practice rather than a periodic intervention. This position is in-person with eligibility for a flexible work arrangement depending on unit and library needs and goals.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree in Social Research Methods, Applied Social Research, Program Evaluation, or a closely related field

Demonstrated experience in research methods, library assessment, or a closely related field.

Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Tableau, or similar) and experience creating reports and visualizations for diverse audiences.

Familiarity with AI tools and an understanding of their application in research, data analysis, and assessment workflows.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex data to non-specialist audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience designing and administering user surveys, usability studies, or learning outcome assessments.

Experience developing and delivering training or professional development programs.

Familiarity with content management systems or web platforms for maintaining resource hubs or unit websites.

Familiarity with library instruction and information literacy frameworks (e.g., ACRL Framework).

Performs research, analysis, and modeling on organizational data and data sets utilizing advanced statistical methods to mine and analyze complex and unstructured data sets. Offers complex analysis and utilizes advanced algorithms and statistical software. Adheres to all protocols.

Essential Functions

Designs and conducts user research using qualitative and quantitative methods — including in-person data collection activities such as interviews, focus groups, and observational studies — and communicates findings through reports, presentations, and data visualizations to support library service development and decision-making.

Maintains and develops the Unit's website and resource repository, ensuring assessment materials, data, and tools are current, well-organized, and accessible to support ongoing and longitudinal library assessment work.

Builds assessment capacity across the library by developing resources and delivering training and workshops, including in-person sessions, while working alongside colleagues to deepen their engagement with assessment data, methods, emerging tools, and library practice.

Physical Effort

The Assessment Specialist works primarily at a computer workstation, performing tasks such as data analysis, report writing, and resource management that are largely sedentary in nature. The incumbent must be able to move throughout the library to conduct in-person research activities, deliver training, and collaborate with colleagues across departments.

Assignment Category: Full-time regular

Job Classification: Staff.Data Scientist II

Job Family: Research

Job Sub Family: Data Science

Campus: Pittsburgh

Minimum Education Level Required: Master's Degree

Minimum Years of Experience Required: 3

Will this position accept substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Work Arrangement: On-Campus: Teams that work on campus, in an office, or in a lab.

Hiring Range: $4,468.08 to $5,957.42 annual

Relocation_Offered: No

Visa Sponsorship Provided: No

Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check

Child Protection Clearances: Not Applicable

Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter

Optional Documents: Not Applicable



Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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