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The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is hiring: Strategy and Public Impact Intern in New

The New York Public Library, New York, NY, United States


Job Description

Job Description
Description
Overview
The Strategy & Public Impact team is The New York Public Library’s central node of information and insights about its users, usage, and impact. We support decision makers and program staff across the institution through business intelligence, impact assessment, strategic conversations, user research, and data mentorship.

We are seeking a full academic year Intern to support our work articulating the Library’s role in the intellectual, cultural, and educational lives of its local and global users; identifying opportunities for innovation and leadership in our research centers, neighborhood branches, and digital properties; and advocating for the needs of our communities.
 
This is an opportunity for someone with a strong interest in public service and public libraries to learn from, and contribute to, the work of our team while exploring a career in strategy, qualitative and quantitative research, data analytics and/or impact evaluation. 

This position is temporary for 1 year, subject to school enrollment.

Key Responsibilities
The Intern will:
  • Support the team’s work to design and implement a wide range of qualitative research projects and programs, ranging from large-scale surveys to focus groups to one-on-one user testing and interviews
  • Coordinate logistics of qualitative research, e.g. survey distribution, interview scheduling
  • Work with team members on translating programmatic and operational questions into qualitative user research projects
  • Help with analyzing primary research findings, as well as Library’s usage and user data, to generate insights informing strategic decisions and evaluating the impact and success of strategic programmatic initiatives
  • Help prepare research reports and presentations for a variety of internal and external audiences, offering actionable, evidence-based recommendations to optimize program design, user experience and outcomes and identify opportunities for strategic investment
  • Conduct external industry and market research to contextualize institutional findings and point to new research directions
  • Support the team’s work as needed

Required Education, Experience & Skills
  • Current enrollment in a Bachelor’s degree program in a relevant field (i.e., Data Analytics/Information Science, Public Policy, Psychology or other relevant social science)
  • Experience with data analysis and qualitative research (surveys, interviews, focus groups)
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google apps suites
  • Some experience with experimental design, testing, and evaluation methodologies; exposure to research questions and techniques and research tools/software 
  • Good listening and observational skills
  • Ability to clearly and persuasively communicate analytical insights and methodologies verbally, visually, and in writing 
  • Demonstrated successful experience working collaboratively and effectively and establishing trusting relationships within a diverse organization, across multiple levels of management and staff
  • Learning mindset, with a continual appetite for developing skills and absorbing information
  • Devoted to advancing The New York Public Library’s mission and values, and a sincerely enthusiastic library promoter!
Preferred Qualifications
  • Graduate school enrollment in a relevant field (as above, plus Library Science)
  • 1-2 years of relevant academic or professional, hands-on experience in research, user insights, or impact assessment roles

More...
Please Note: Absent a qualifying exception for medical or religious reasons, newly hired employees of the New York Public Library must present proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination and may not begin employment at the Library until 14 days after their receipt of their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 14 days after their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  Newly hired employees who need additional time to receive their vaccination prior to their start date may request an adjournment of their start date with their hiring manager.  The Library will consider such requests on a case by case basis, depending upon the Library’s operational needs, among other factors.  The Library will further consider exemptions for prospective employees who cannot become vaccinated due to a qualifying medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief or practice.  Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment and who seek a medical or religious exemption to the Library’s vaccination policy will be provided with additional instructions at the time of the conditional offer.

Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
  • Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
  • Be Resourceful in solving problems 
  • Be Curious in all aspects of your work
Physical Duties
  • Limited physical effort is required
  • May require travel within NYC
Hours
  • 15-20 hrs/week