The Marsico Institute for Early Learning is housed in the Morgridge College of Education (MCE) at the University of Denver. We have dedicated ourselves to improving learning environments and outcomes for children, birth to age 8. We identify the best in early learning research, practice, and policy, and we deliver that information at just the point it will be useful to academics, practitioners, policymakers, and parents — the people who can create and implement changes to improve the lives of young children. The quality of relationships and learning opportunities that young children experience can set the stage for what they can accomplish throughout their lives.
Position Summary
The Marsico Institute is accepting applications for Research Assistants in the Greater Detroit Area. These positions will work as part of a team for an efficacy research study implementing and evaluating an early math intervention under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigators and Project Director. They will use a standardized assessment tool, the Research-based Early Math Assessment (REMA), to collect one-on-one baseline and post-intervention assessment data on preschool student knowledge and skills along research-based developmental progressions.
This position involves driving or commuting to sites, assessing students using a computer adaptive test, and interviewing students with a standardized protocol. Research Assistants must videotape each assessment and review these recordings to verify data accuracy. During August 2024 and prior to data collection, all research assistants must participate fully in a 2 to 3-day, in-person training on the REMA assessment in the Detroit Metro area (exact location TBD). All research assistants must also complete a fidelity certification video in which they administer and score the entire assessment; certification is achieved once a minimum of 85% accuracy in administration and scoring has been achieved. Research Assistants who do not meet certification requirements will not move forward with child data collection. In addition to this fidelity work and inter-rater reliability work, Research Assistants may also be asked to enter and code collected data and other related duties, as assigned.
This is a temporary, grant-funded position that spans August through October 2024, or until all student data has been collected. Research Assistants must be available to travel and assess children at multiple school sites in Oakland and Wayne Counties in Michigan between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm at least 3 days per week (access to vehicle required).
This is a non-benefited, temporary position not to exceed 1,000 hours in a calendar year.
Essential Functions
- Conduct pre- and post-intervention student assessments.
- Verify data collected.
- Clean and code data.
- Upload assessment and video data daily
- Participate in fidelity work and inter-rater reliability training.
- Travel to data collection sessions at specified dates, times, and locations in the Detroit Metro area.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Must be able to develop a good rapport with young children and school personnel.
- Facility with MS Office Suite/O365 programs, videotaping equipment, iPad use, and basic features of virtual collaboration software.
- Close attention to detail.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills.
- Capable of successfully working independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages.
- Ability to adhere to strict protocols and data collection procedures.
Required Qualifications
- Some college coursework.
- Experience working with young children, in a classroom setting, or in social science qualitative research.
- English language fluent.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- College coursework in Education, Psychology, Research, Social Science, or related field.
- Experience conducting assessments using standardized data collection tools.
- Spanish language fluent.
Work Schedule
Part-time, varies. Regular local travel within the Detroit Metro area (Oakland and Wayne counties) is required.
This is a temporary, grant-funded position that spans August through October 2024, or until all student data has been collected.
Physical Activities
Regularly required to move about the classroom with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.
Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) July 15, 2024.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Hourly Range
The hourly range for the position is $23.00 - $30.00.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits
The University of Denver offers some benefits for non-benefited employees. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.
Please include the following documents with your application:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.