Research Specialist (Rapides Parish, Louisiana)

Research Specialist (Rapides Parish, Louisiana)

23 Jul 2024
Louisiana, Central louisiana 00000 Central louisiana USA

Research Specialist (Rapides Parish, Louisiana)

Vacancy expired!

The Center on Education Policy and Workforce Competitiveness (EdPolicyWorks) in the University of Virginias Curry School of Education and Human Development is seeking applicants for multiple Research Specialist (wage) positions to collect data in preschool classrooms in Rapides Parish in Louisiana to support the Study of Early Educators “ Louisiana (SEE-LA) research project. SEE-LAs purpose is to better understand how to foster sustainable quality improvement across diverse early childhood settings, including pre-kindergarten programs, Head Start, and child care, by leveraging the specific expertise of teachers and directors in Louisiana.

The SEE-LA Research Specialist (wage) will conduct observations in preschool classrooms using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and will administer direct assessments of childrens math, literacy, language, and executive function skills. Responsibilities include mastering a set of classroom and child assessments, and then scheduling, administering, scoring, and coding these assessments within the project timeline. This will include data entry, data uploading, ensuring data integrity, and visiting classrooms to distribute and collect parent and teacher consent forms and surveys. Assessment work will require four hours of in-classroom time daily to conduct these observations from after Labor Day until the beginning of December. We will also collect data in the spring from February through April.

We are looking for motivated individuals who are interested in early childhood education are eager to gain experience conducting educational research.

Pre-K CLASS certification is strongly preferred, but it is not required. This certification may be up-to-date or may be expired, however, due to the nature of this study, candidates who are currently conducting local CLASS observations in Rapides Parish or Jefferson Parish will not be considered. Training in the pre-k CLASS observation tool will be provided for qualified and selected candidates who do not currently hold certification.

Either a bachelor's degree in Social Science, Education, or a related field or current enrollment in a bachelors degree program is required, as is one year of experience performing direct work with children in an educational setting or an out-of-school setting (such as a summer camp or an after-school program). Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; strong organization skills and attention to detail; and the ability to work effectively with a diverse population are essential. Ability to use and troubleshoot technology is required. In addition, knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, and Word), use of the internet, proficiency with laptops, tablets and/or PCs, and experience uploading/downloading information using cloud storage platforms is required.

Reliable transportation for traveling between schools, Head Starts, and child care centers is required. Incumbents must also be able to attend a training session in Louisiana in August. If you collect data again from February through April, you will also be required to attend a refresher training in March. If the training is not held near your hometown we will provide lodging and travel reimbursement for your attendance.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. This background check will also include an education verification and a fingerprint/background check (FSAKA & fingerprinting).

Before beginning work, hired individuals must (1) complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Integrative Human Subjects Research Training Module, and (2) pass reliability checks for observation-based assessments. Assessors will be paid for completing these tasks. Assessors may need to go through additional fingerprinting or background checks based on parish requirements. These certifications can happen after hiring but must be completed before work begins. All tests will be reimbursed.

The hourly rate is $20-$25/hour, commensurate with experience. This is a wage position which is not eligible for leave or other benefits and is limited to 1500 hours of work in a year. For more information, refer to the Wage Employment link: http://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/HRM-029

To apply, please submit an application online through Workday at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs. You will be asked to attach a CV/resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 professional references.

For questions about these positions, please contact Anna Markowitz at am2qj@virginia.edu.

The Curry School of Education and the University of Virginia welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities; we seek to build a culturally diverse intellectual environment. We are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employers.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System and the University Physicians Group are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.

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