VLP Research Specialist/Research Specialist Intermediate

The Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP) Office within the Center for the Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia is seeking Research Specialists to assist in data collection, data entry, materials preparation for data collection, and reporting needs to help our team support literacy development for children PK-3 across Virginia. This role is available for in-person or hybrid work in the Charlottesville, VA area and starts immediately.

The VLP team concentrates on ensuring the implementation of evidence-based literacy practices in partnerships with state and local entities across Virginia and throughout the nation. VLP administers the state supported literacy screeners from PreK- Grade 3 across the Commonwealth. Pre-K teachers use the Pre-K Language & Literacy Screener and teachers in K-2 use the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screener (PALS) assessments, coordinated and supported by the VLP office, to screen for early reading difficulties. Currently, the VLP team is developing a revised literacy screener expanded to include PreK3 through grade 3 students in English, as well as a parallel version in Spanish. Researchers working on this revised literacy screener are also involved in several other reading related research projects, and implementation projects in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education as well as other collaborators across the nation, focused on reading assessment and intervention developed using science-based reading research.

The VLP office is currently piloting a new English and Spanish early literacy screening measure for PreK- Grade 3 students throughout Virginia. Research Specialists will be responsible for collaborating with other VLP team members to collect and enter student level data. Research Specialists may also be asked to assist in the development of items to be piloted on the state level literacy screener and preparation of materials for data collection. Research Specialists will quickly acquire fluent knowledge of the early literacy screeners, the data collection system, and the materials needed to collect the data. Research Specialist(s) Intermediate will have an understanding of literacy and/or language development in young children and experience working with data collected during large-scale research projects.

Role and Responsibilities

Research Specialists will perform the following job responsibilities:

Data Collection and Data Entry

• Become familiar with the subtests being piloted on the PreK- Grade 3 early literacy screeners
• Assist in training of data collectors
• Enter/double score data that has been collected by other data collectors on the VLP team
• Assist in data entry by merging data from various data sources, tables, files, etc.

Communication

• Collaborate on the creation of professional development programs and materials based on pilot data collection activities
• Participate in preparation of excel tracking documents, PowerPoint presentations, and other outreach documents related to literacy development

Research Specialist Intermediate

In addition to the key responsibilities above, a Research Specialist Intermediate may be asked to perform the following responsibilities:

• Oversee recruitment of divisions to participate in the pilot study
• Manage communication with divisions, schools and teachers related to data collection scheduling
• Collaborate with PALS team members to create and manage longitudinal datasets
• Build datasets by merging from various data sources, tables, files, etc.
• Clean datasets in preparation for analysis
• Coordination and supervision of data management and analysis efforts with research coordinators and external data management consultants
• Present research findings to higher education administrators, faculty members, other researchers, and potential funders
• Contribute to dissemination efforts through academic writing, grant writing, professional development materials, and promotional materials

Required Skills
Research Specialist
Education: Bachelor's degree: related field.

Research Specialist Intermediate
Education: Bachelor's degree
Experience: At least 3 years of relevant experience. Master's degree will be considered in lieu of experience.

Preferred Skills

Research Specialist
Education: Bachelor's degree in Education, Special Education, Reading Education, Quantitative Methods, or related field.

Experience:

• At least 1 year of relevant research experience
• Bilingual speaking and writing ability in English/Spanish
• Experience in a relevant, fast-paced professional setting (including graduate research labs)
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Strategic thinker with advanced problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong understanding of systems and procedures
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external team members

Research Specialist Intermediate
Education: An advanced degree in Education, Special Education, Reading Education, Quantitative Methods, or related field.

Experience:

• Bilingual speaking and writing ability in English/Spanish
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Strategic thinker with advanced problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational skills with a strong understanding of systems and procedures
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external team members

Physical Demands
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Compensation Information

This is full-time position with an anticipated range of $46,000 - $65,000, commensurate with education and experience, includes UVA benefits.

Application Instructions

Please apply through Workday, and search for VLP Research Specialist/Research Specialist Intermediate. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV or Resume
• Cover letter, optional but preferred

Upload all materials into the resume submission field. Multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs.'

As part of the application process, applicants may be asked to describe how they address diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work.

The position will remain open until filled. Research Specialist is a non-exempt level, benefitted position. Research Specialist Intermediate is an exempt level, benefitted position. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. This restricted position is a 12-month appointment, and continuation is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

For additional information about the position, please contact Carlin Conner. For questions about the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks.

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In alignment with President Ryan's UVA strategic plan, CASTL is committed to:

• Recruiting talented and diverse doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and staff;
• Recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce and providing an inclusive and supportive environment in which staff and faculty are recognized as integral to the success of our work; and
• Promoting a culture of integrity, mutual respect, excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician's Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, 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 or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.