Summer Research Associate - Internship

Organization: United Way of the Midlands 

Job Title: Summer Research Associate 

Department: Strategy 

FLSA Status: Part-time, Hourly 

Location: Omaha, NE (on-site) 

Wage: $30/hr. depending on experience  
Hours: 20 hours a week, up to 25 hours 
Timeframe: May – August 
Format: Primarily in office; some flexibility with hours and remote work 

About United Way of the Midlands:  

Since 1923, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) has served the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro by bringing together the business, government and not-for-profit sectors and raising money to support our community’s most impactful health and human service programs. UWM’s funded programs and direct services – including JAG Nebraska, 211 and the Weatherization Assistance Program – focus on four key areas to improve health and well-being for all, build financial stability and strength, help young people realize their full potential and address urgent needs today to advance a better tomorrow.  At United Way, we are committed to fostering integrity, inclusion, and responsibility across our work where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table.    

UWM’s Mission:  

United Way of the Midlands UNITES our community’s CARING SPIRIT to build a STRONGER tomorrow.  

Guiding Principles:  

At United Way of the Midlands, we… 

Build TRUST in everything we do. 

Extend GRACE by thinking beyond ourselves. 

Show GRIT by bringing it everyday. 

Be OPEN to embracing others’ differences. 

Actively ENGAGE by listening and sharing. 

Live CURIOUSLY to learn constantly.  

Research Associate Summary:  

UWM’s Summer Research Associate reports to the 211 Research Manager and plays a pivotal role in the organization’s research efforts. Their primary focus is to look at poverty in the metro area, specifically households with at least one household member working that are still struggling to afford basic necessities. The Research Associate will provide nonprofit leaders, funders, and stakeholders with actionable insights to understand the landscape of poverty within the metro and better serve the community. Drawing on publicly available datasets, other literary analysis on the subject and data partnerships with other community partners, the Research Associate will conduct descriptive and advanced statistical analyses to illuminate challenges households in poverty in the metro face. Through this work, Research Associates directly contribute to UWM’s broader mission of fostering a thriving and impactful nonprofit community, and they will be recognized for their contributions to the final research products. 

Responsibilities:  

Secures publicly available data sets from trustworthy and reliable sources.  

Examines peer-reviewed and professional literature to contextualize sector trends. 

Works with the Strategy and Investments team to examine datasets shared via partnerships with community partners 

Performs both descriptive and comparative analyses  

Summarizes key findings through maps, charts, graphs, and concise written summaries; Research Associates receive credit for their contributions 

Strengthens UWM’s overall statistical acumen by sharing new methods and best practices. 

Required Skills and Abilities: 

Knowledge of and experience with professional/academic research standards  

Insatiable curiosity and a desire to impact our community  

Experience conducting quantitative or qualitative research 

Experience or coursework focused on data analysis, statistics and/or FinTech which may include  

Advanced use of Excel 

Conducting stakeholder interviews, literature reviews, qualitative coding  

Knowledge of R, Python, SQL, Oracle, Power BI, Tableau, SPSS, or mapping tools a plus 

Ability to synthesize a large volume of information including the ability to interpret data 

Willingness to work collaboratively with other researchers to create a cohesive team product 

Attention to detail and ownership of contributions 

Critical thinking and time management skills 

Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook (or equivalent) 

Must pass all applicable background checks 

Must have a valid driver’s license or reliable transportation 

Education and Experience:  

Senior college standing, graduate or PhD student with a background in statistics, fintech, business administration, data science or related field 

Physical Requirements:  

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Benefits:  

Paid Holidays 

How to Apply:  

Please submit your cover letter and resume to resume@UWMidlands.org  

United Way of the Midlands is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.