The Office of Child Development (OCD) is seeking an experienced, creative, and versatile professional capable of handling a variety of administrative and research tasks for the Evaluation and Research Team (ERT). This employee will provide targeted administrative support and research assistance for a comprehensive evaluation of an innovative Early Childhood Education program in Central Pennsylvania.
Responsibilities include: collecting quantitative and qualitative assessment data from young children and adults, entering and analyzing data in a variety of software programs; managing scheduling, communications, and logistics for project activities; creating data visualizations, preparing presentations, and writing executive summaries; and providing project-wide administrative support. The incumbent will maintain positive, professional relationships with a variety of stakeholders from school staff to parents. They must understand detailed research plans and protocols, and have skill, competence, and comfort working with young children in early childhood education settings with the ability to collect data from children as well as their educators and families. The incumbent must be detail oriented in data documentation and storage.
Additional responsibilities include collaborating with supervisor and practitioners to organize and support writing of various reports, prepare and administer surveys, maintain databases, and coordinate meetings/events.
Experience in interviewing and conducting focus groups preferred. Incumbent must be able to obtain a TB test clearance.
This position will be located at the Catherine Hershey Schools - Elizabethtown Center in Elizabethtown, PA.
Experience related to early childhood education settings required.
Experience with Excel, SPSS, quantitative and qualitative data collection (interviews; focus groups) and analysis, survey design and analysis, and use of Qualtrics preferred.
Initiates, develops, and manages applied research and program evaluation projects and identifies gaps and opportunities in child welfare processes, products, and practices. Develops research questions, data collection strategies, and testing plans. Provides support to internal and external stakeholders. Collects and analyzes data, crafts reports, and contributes to the child welfare field through publications and conference presentations. Pursues funding opportunities.
-Initiates, develops, and manages applied research and program evaluation projects. -Develops research questions and data collection strategies. Devises testing plans and monitors project goals and time lines.
-Provides research, evaluation, and data-related support to internal and external stakeholders.
-Maintains communication with project leaders, supervisors, and stakeholders for the project's duration.
-Collects data through appropriate methods, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Analyzes data and records relevant findings.
-Crafts reports and presentations to communicate project insights and any accompanying recommendations for improvement.
-Contributes to the field of early childhood education through journal publications and presentations at professional conferences.
This position is mostly sedentary, but the individual must attend a variety of meetings in different places and use the computer for extended periods of time.
This individual must operate appropriate computers and software; be able to communicate with diverse audiences; and work with various professionals. Ability to drive or use public transportation.
The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran.
Job Details
- Assignment Category: Full-time regular
- Job Classification: Staff.Research & Evaluation Specialist II
- Job Family: Research
- Job Sub-Family: Child Development Research
- Campus: Pittsburgh
- Minimum Education Level Required: Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum Years of Experience Required: 2
- Substitution in lieu of education or experience: Combination of education and relevant experience will be considered in lieu of education and/ or experience requirement.
- Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:00 - 4:00pm
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid: Combination of On-Campus and Remote work as determined by the department.
- Hiring Range: $45,000 - $55,000
- Relocation Offered: No
- Visa Sponsorship Provided: No
- Background Check: For position finalists, employment with the University will require successful completion of a background check
- Child Protection Clearances: The following PA Act 153 clearances and background checks are required prior to commencement of employment and as a condition of continued employment: PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance.
- Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter
- Optional Documents: Not Applicable