User Experience Research Associate

Fellowship Program Position: This Fellowship Program position is a full-time, temporary, limited term assignment not to exceed three years from the date of hire. It is intended for individuals that have graduated with a bachelor's degree or a master's degree from an accredited college or university within the last 12 months.

The User Experience Research & Design Associate assists with performing research and design to continually measure user satisfaction, and recommend improvements and best practices for TRS digital products. The incumbent will assist in creating and maintaining a comprehensive research plan, identify objectives, and apply research knowledge and design best practices to improve the user experience for TRS digital products. This position will proactively work with the Communications team, Intern Cohort, and agency employees.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
 

UX Research Analysis & Design
• Assists with creating and updating a comprehensive user experience research plan for TRS digital products.
• Partners with agency employees to understand business needs, and design appropriate research studies to generate user-focused insights.
• Assists with identifying priorities, research questions, timelines, and resourcing utilizing quantitative and qualitative UX research methods.
• Assists with designing and executing studies to address goals and objectives.
• Assists with analyzing quantitative data with qualitative data to help drive product and design decisions.
• Applies user experience research knowledge and findings to inform the information architecture and user experience design of TRS digital products.
• Assists with creating and presenting research findings in a clear and organized format.
Departmental Support
• Provides support to department staff and quality service to department customers to include front-end website administration, website content management, and digital asset management.
• Performs various administrative support and/or technical functions in support of agency operations.
• Assists with developing, updating, and/or implementing agency policies, procedures and processes.
• Recommends changes to procedures and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Fellowship Curriculum
• Participates in trainings and projects related to the TRS Fellowship Program including webinars, quarterly check-ins, classes or other learning activities, book group, projects, and the mentoring program.
• Meets TRS Fellowship Program deadlines and goals for completion of trainings in deliverables in a timely manner.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING:
 

Required Education
• Bachelor’s degree or Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Information Studies, Information Science or a closely related field within the last 12 months.
Required Experience
• None.
Required Registration, Certification, or Licensure
• None.
Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Information Studies, Information Science or a closely related field within the last 12 months.
• Experience designing and conducting user experience research.
• Experience applying findings to inform user experience design with an emphasis on digital products such as website and applications.
• Materials/portfolio demonstrating UX research project experience.
• Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Experience with tools for web and mobile product research.
• Experience with UX design best practices and considerations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
• User Experience research methods and best practices.
• Tools used for web and mobile product research.
• General office practices and procedures.
• Concepts and practices of proofing, editing, and preparing informational materials.
• User Experience design.
• Content management systems.
Skills in:
• Organizing and prioritizing work to manage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced environment, and completing work accurately while meeting deadlines.
• Conducting data searches and evaluations of large amounts of information, performing complex analysis of the data, and preparing concise and accurate reports and written/oral recommendations.
• UX research and design.
• Front-end website development.
• Verbal and written communication of complex information that is accurate, timely, and based on sound judgment.
• Providing quality customer service.
• Reviewing documentation; properly applying complex laws, regulations, rules, and policies; and making decisions based on sound judgment.
• Using a personal computer in a Windows and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) environment, and accurately performing data entry.
Ability to:
• Communicate complex concepts clearly and persuasively.
• Establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with co-workers, agency staff, and other external contacts.
• Work effectively in a professional team environment.

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Codes:
Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty ( https://www.trs.texas.gov/files/trs-military-crosswalk.xlsx ) along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Talent Acquisition at  careers@trs.texas.gov  with questions or for additional information.

To view all job vacancies, visit www.trs.texas.gov/careers  or www.trs.csod.com/careersite.

For more information, visit www.trs.texas.gov.