The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.  

As a community of Dornsife College “we are committed to the creation, preservation, and communication of fundamental knowledge in all its forms…as well as a lifelong passion for learning and a commitment to the betterment of society.”  The academic mission of Dornsife College can only be realized to its fullest potential when we build and protect a representative, equitable, inclusive culture of scholarship for students, faculty, and staff.  This is not done through initiatives but by embedding these values into the everyday interactions, relationships, policies, and practices of the College.  What is required is a seamless integration of the tenets of equity and inclusivity into every facet of academic life.  If we want our scholars, staff, and students to be able to give their very best, we must create an academic environment that portends success.  

Success is possible when every member of the Dornsife community owns their role as a steward of the culture in which we learn, research, and work; when we believe that it is because of who we are that we are able to do what we do: achieve excellence, together. 

Achieving a robust and inclusive academic culture requires more than just the completion of a task, but includes that person’s capacity to contribute positively to the relationships and culture of their office or department.  Therefore, any applicant seeking to advance the mission of Dornsife College should also be assessed on their capacities beyond the technical elements of their work, and demonstrate an understanding of their impact on others, and to articulate how they contribute positively to those around them.

Survey Director for the Understanding America Study

The Understanding America Study (UAS) is a nationally representative household panel, currently comprising approximately 15,000 respondents representing the entire U.S. It is planned to grow to 20,000 by the end of 2025. The study is a probability-based Internet Panel recruited by Address Based Sampling. Potential respondents without Internet are provided with tablets and broadband Internet. Panel members answer questions about once or twice a month. In addition to surveys, the panel provides an environment for innovative data collection, including educational or behavioral interventions, experiments in decision making, the use of wearable computing, biomarker collection, passive measurement, methodology experiments, etc. The current team responsible for the UAS consists of about 15 professionals, including a group of expert software developers.

The study is housed at the Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) at the University of Southern California (USC). CESR is a multi-disciplinary research center with federal grants and contracts across a wide range of economic and social research.  Its dynamic and diverse staff of 110 come from more than 15 countries and have varied academic training.  CESR is located on the downtown Los Angeles campus of USC and at the USC Capital Campus, in Washington DC.

Position Description

 For our fast-growing enterprise we are looking for a senior survey director who will help us continue to build a unique environment for scientific research in the social sciences. The survey director will assist the principal investigator in managing all phases of this complex project, including:

• Sampling, recruiting, and retention of panel members.
• Managing the implementation of data collection and recruitment/retention experiments in the panel, including the logistics of purchasing and distribution of wearable devices.
• Overseeing and scheduling new surveys; working with CESR researchers and the Institutional Review Board to ensure compliance with human subjects protection regulations.  
• Maintaining or initiating client contacts; working with clients on project development and timely production of high-quality deliverables. Providing technical support and consultation to clients
• Contributing to expansion and continual improvement of the panel operations and data integrity and quality.
• Developing data collection sections for proposals, operational plans, and budgets.
• Staying abreast of relevant developments in the field of survey research and panel management. Contributing to the field of research and to CESR dissemination through publications and presentations at professional conferences
• Mentoring staff to advance knowledge of survey design and survey/research best practices

Qualifications

The candidate must have an extensive survey research methods and panel operations background and possess strong interpersonal and communication skills.

This is a full-time management position that requires strong organizational skills, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, budgeting, estimating and scheduling skills and an orientation to details.

• Advanced degree in social science, survey research, or related field (Ph.D. or M.A/Msc) preferred.
• Extensive track-record (ten plus years) of work on large scale data collection projects and databases
• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of survey research methods
• Ability to balance numerous projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines
• Proactive and customer-oriented
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Superior presentation skills

Salary range: The annual base salary range for this position is $130,453.13 - $203,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.  

This is a grant funded position.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file).
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

Information

For further information about the position call or write to

Tania Gutsche, managing director of CESR: tgutsche@usc.edu ; ph: +1 213 821 1819

Arie Kapteyn, executive director of CESR: kapteyn@usc.edu; ph: +1 213 821-1795

Minimum Education: Doctorate, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: Over 10 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Education and experience directly related to field of research. Expert knowledge of field, statistical research, and fundraising.