Research Intern

Working Title: Direct Admissions Intern
Job Class: Intern
Agency: Office of Higher Education

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers who are currently enrolled as a student at an accredited educational institution
• Date Posted: 07/15/2023
• Closing Date: 07/24/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Office of Higher Education/223
• Division/Unit: Research Division
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $10.59-$24.00/hour
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Looking for qualified candidates for one (1) paid intern position to work 20 hours a week for up to one year. This position is to serve as a policy and data intern to provide staffing for the OHE research department overseeing the Direct Admissions program (Minnesota’s guaranteed admissions program). This work upholds the mission of the Office: "To support the pursuit and completion of a higher education credential by every Minnesotan, regardless of race, gender, or socio-economic status, in order to enhance our democracy, the State's economic vitality, and individual quality of life." The departments will work to advance the agency’s strategic goal for equity and inclusion by implementing equity-driven policies and practices, working proactively to increase access to critical resources for traditionally underrepresented populations, responding to the specific needs of diverse communities, and contributing to the creation of an equitable and inclusive agency culture.

The intern will provide administrative and data coordination assistance to the Direct Admissions managers, Communications, participating high schools, and participating colleges. The intern will assist in participant training, process documentation, the development of OHE communications and data products, and will support document and data preparation related to research and program data collection, evaluation, and reporting, and ad hoc data requests.

Minimum Qualifications

To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; AND
• Your advisor must certify that you will either receive academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement. The signature of a sponsoring academic instructor is required prior to beginning an internship.

AND

• Strong organizational, problem solving, and communication skills.
• Interest in education policy and research.
• Ability to multitask and meet multiple deadlines.
• Create reports by collecting, compiling, and presenting data from multiple sources in an organized format.
• Standard computer software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, and databases sufficient to create, modify, and protect reports and documents.
• Ability to relate to racially and culturally diverse groups.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in data collection and analysis or willingness to learn, including working knowledge of the SQL programming language and the calculation of statistics and use of statistical software programs.
• Exposure to social science research methods, particularly with literature reviews, environment scans, surveys, interviews, and evaluation methods.
• Self-directed and proactive in completion of project assignments.

Physical Requirements

• Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties.
• Lift and move paper supply boxes up to 20 pounds as needed.

Additional Requirements

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past state employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Social Security Verification
• Must be currently working on your degree, in student status, and need an internship credit to graduate. This position would not be open to recent graduates.
• Applicant must be legally authorized to work in the United States without needing sponsorship for employment visa (e.g. H1B status).
• All applicants must submit a first-authored sample (does not have to be published). This can be submitted with your resume to this posting. Application will be considered incomplete without writing sample.

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact April Kelley at april.kelley@state.mn.us or 651-259-3943.

About Office of Higher Education

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is a cabinet-level state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education. The agency also serves as the state's clearinghouse for data, research, and analysis on postsecondary enrollment, financial aid, finance, and trends.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.