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 ofUSC, 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.

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 candidates work experience, education/training, key skills, internal salary data, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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.

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

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.

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.

We provide 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 contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Logo

About University of Southern California (USC)

USC is the leading private research university in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology and international business. With more than 47,500 students, we are located primarily in Los Angeles but also in various US and global satellite locations. As the largest private employer in Los Angeles, responsible for $8 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic and professional schools and administrative units. As a USC employee and member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work—you will enjoy excellent benefits, including a variety of well-being programs designed to help individuals achieve work-life balance.

Connections working at University of Southern California (USC)