Job Description

Graduate Research Assistant - Academic Year

The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) is a research unit of the Florida Legislature that conducts studies of Florida agencies and programs to assist the Legislature in its policy and budget deliberations. OPPAGA's academic year graduate research assistant position provides a compensated hands-on learning experience for 25 hours per week. Responsibilities include the following:

• Working in a team environment with professional legislative analysts to complete research projects
• Collecting, analyzing and interpreting data
• Conducting interviews with state agency staff, stakeholders, and other information resources
• Conducting surveys or focus groups, or using other qualitative research methods

Preference will be given to applicants with the following knowledge, skills, and experience:

• Graduate degree course work in qualitative or quantitative analysis and research fields, such as public administration, public policy, business administration, economics, demography, statistics, finance, education, social work, planning, management, accounting, and the social sciences
• Understanding of principles of governmental organization, budgeting, and accountability
• Understanding of research methods, descriptive and inferential statistics, and financial analysis
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and SPSS or similar statistical packages
• Experience as an effective contributor to a work team
• Interest in pursuing a career in government policy analysis and program evaluation

The 2026-27 academic year graduate research assistant position is a part-time position for at least 30, and up to 35 weeks, and is paid at a rate of $15.00 per hour. The program provides an opportunity to work in a state legislative office with a highly qualified, multidisciplinary staff that includes public administrators, social scientists, MBA graduates, attorneys, and others. Travel expenses incurred by the intern in the conduct of an approved OPPAGA project will be reimbursed as allowed by s. 112.061, Florida Statutes.

To apply, submit the following:

• Legislative application
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter that details graduate school status, expected graduation date, and a brief description of the research topics and methods used for at least two team or individual graduate-level research projects that the applicant completed
• Transcript(s) of all graduate and undergraduate credits (unofficial copies are acceptable for review)

For questions, contact Jim Clark at 850-717-0519. If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at 850-488-6803. OPPAGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The application deadline for consideration is June 1, 2026 or until the position is filled.

Location: Tallahassee, FL, US, 32399

Nearest Major Market: Tallahassee

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