The following functions may not be comprehensive in scope regarding work performed by an employee assigned to this position classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of this position. Management also reserves the right to make reasonable accommodations so that a qualified employee(s) can perform the essential functions of the position.

Overview of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL): Strada Collaborative, Inc. d/b/a CAEL (referred to in document as “CAEL”), is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to partnering with educators, employers, and workforce and economic developers to reimagine and create lifelong pathways that integrate learning and work for adults. CAEL helps organizations succeed by providing expertise, resources, and solutions that effectively support adult learners as they navigate on-and- off-ramps between education and employment. We partner with entities across the adult learner ecosystem to help create actionable career pathways along the journey of lifelong learning and meaningful work.

CAEL’s work is rooted in and expresses the organization’s values; we are committed to being an inclusive organization; prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment, hiring, and retention efforts; look for opportunities to communicate the link between our mission and eliminating systemic inequity; acknowledge and appreciate daily the challenges facing all those in support of justice for these communities; do not accept or condone racism in any form; commit individual and corporate resources to the pursuit of justice; require employee training on topics such as racial equality and unconscious bias toward maintaining an inclusive culture; provide a library of media and organizational resources to our staff to increase understanding of racial inequality; and incorporate business agreement language that reinforces our anti-racism stance.

CAEL is a virtual organization; all employees work remotely out of their homes. Overview of Position: The Innovation Research Associate is temporary, part-time position. The position will be for approximately 6 months and will be approximately 20 hours per week. The Innovation Research Associate will be responsible for conducting primarily academic, market, competitive, and future-focused research and analysis across various methodologies and collaborating with cross-functional teams to help build and expand the innovation and

human-centered design practice at CAEL. The ideal candidate is naturally curious about solving problems in the work-learn-earn ecosystem with a knack for supporting insights with data based on best practices in people-centric market research methods. This role will report to the VP of Innovation and is a key member of the Innovation team.

Primary responsibilities include conducting desk research to support product or service development, identifying potential competitors and/or competing products and services, analyzing market trends, and developing insights from these findings to support the CAEL

Innovation portfolio. Academic and market-based research may be conducted in the areas of workforce innovation, talent development/learning innovation, and higher education innovation.

This position will require the incumbent to travel between five to fifteen percent (5-15%) of the time for business meetings with some overnight travel required. The amount of travel and expectations for the same are subject to change based on business needs and demands.

Requires prolonged sitting with some bending, stooping and stretching; eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, and other office equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports. Also requires moderate to intense concentration due to complexity and/or need to meet deadlines, and flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.

In order to protect Strada’s personnel, affiliates, customers, assets, and mission, security is the responsibility of every employee. To maintain security, employees are required to read, understand, and follow company security policies including but not limited to the WISP and Employee Handbook. In addition, security training supporting those policies is required at least

annually.

CAEL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate and support diversity in our workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We thrive on diversity and inclusion for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our stakeholders. CAEL advocates for equitable treatment and support of both adult learners and other underserved populations. CAEL is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.