Assistant Researcher-Coach
Infant-Toddler Early Childhood Intervention Coach Assistant Researcher (1-2 positions)
Life Span Institute, University of Kansas JUNIPER GARDENS CHILDREN’S PROJECT Position Description
Juniper Gardens Children’s Project, a community-based research institute affiliated with the University of Kansas, is conducting a research program aimed at evaluating a professional development model for implementing a tiered model of supports for infant-toddler social-emotional development within center-based early childhood programs. We are seeking 1-2 part-time (50% -75% FTE) intervention coaches who will be responsible for providing professional development and coaching to infant-toddler teachers in the Kansas City Metro area in the implementation of the intervention focused on social-emotional development.
Intervention coaches will participate in professional development activities for teachers, including group training on practices for promoting social-emotional development, screening and progress monitoring, and data-based decision making. Coaches will also implement a coaching model with participating teachers, involving weekly classroom observations and coaching sessions. Intervention coaches will assist in the preparation of intervention products and will conduct classroom observations, and child assessments. This position requires expertise and experience in infant- toddler care, as well as strong organizational and communication skills, ability to plan and manage time effectively, attention to detail, and ability to work with a team of professionals.
Please note these positions are approximately 50% - 75% (20-30 hours per week), and may be limited to one year, as it is dependent on grant funding. The continuation of these positions into the subsequent school year will be contingent upon successful grant funding and individual employee performance.
Must have reliable transportation and ability to be flexible in scheduling around school and staff schedules. Must have availability in the mornings, and some afternoons. Please note that all offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the background check. Continuation is dependent on satisfactory yearly evaluation and funding. Position is located in Kansas City, KS with travel within the KC metro area.
Job Duties 1. 40% - Coach teachers on their implementation of tiered model of supports for social-emotional
competence. Strategies including face-to-face delivery of the intervention according to a prescribed schedule, and ongoing classroom observations and data collection to inform coaching. 2. 20% - Conduct assessments and observations in infant-toddler classrooms of teachers’
interactions with children ages birth to 36 months. 3. 10% - Participate in teachers’ professional development sessions aimed at helping them learn practices for promoting social-emotional development, in collaboration with the research team. 4. 10% - Conduct child and teacher observations and assessments. 5. 10% - Assist with the preparation of intervention materials, and data entry and checking. 6. 10% - Attend program team meetings and research project meetings.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelors’ degree or equivalent in social work, psychology, early childhood, early intervention,
special education, counseling, or related field. 2. Three-year minimum experience in working in early childhood education classrooms or
programs as evidenced in application materials.
- One-year minimum experience mentoring/coaching or supervising early childhood educators
or home visitors as evidenced in application materials. 4. Reliable transportation and ability to be flexible in scheduling around teacher schedules (Need
weekday morning and some afternoon availability).
Preferred Qualifications 1. Master’s degree or equivalent in in social work, psychology, early childhood, early intervention,
special education, counseling, or related field. 2. Strong organizational and communication skills and attention to detail as demonstrated in work
experience. 3. Experience participating in research projects related to early intervention/education. 4. Experience administering standardized assessments and conducting naturalistic observations. 5. Fluent in oral and written Spanish. 6. Experience with culturally diverse populations.
FTE: 50% - 75% (20-30 hours per week)
SALARY: $15.43-$25.33 hourly, $24,070-$39,514, annually at 75% FTE, commensurate with education and experience.
DEADLINE/START DATE: Review of applications will begin July 8, 2019 and will continue until a qualified applicant pool has been identified.
START DATE: August 12, 2019 or when position is/are filled.
TO APPLY: For more information and to apply go to https://employment.ku.edu/staff/14899BR
Please submit an online application, cover letter, resume/vitae and current contact information for three professional references. Candidates who do not submit ALL of the above through the online system, will not be considered. Please do not email application materials.
If you have questions about the position, you may email Kathy Bigelow at kbigelow@ku.edu . If you have questions about the application process, you may contact Diana Skill at (913) 735-2612. Please note that all offers of employment are contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the background check.
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, retaliation, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following persons has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and are the Title IX Coordinators for their respective campuses: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu , Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS, 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses; Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588- 8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).