Part-Time Research Assistant

Start Early is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more inclusive early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication.

Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do!

As the Part-Time Research Assistant, you will administer one-on-one standardized child assessments with toddler- and preschool-age children and assist with additional data collection with children, staff, and families in a center-based early childhood program. This role will support data management, analysis, preparation, and reporting for research and evaluation purposes. This is a collaborative research-practice partnership (RPP) approach, where you will communicate with and support program staff, children, and their families, as well as provide general support to research and evaluation processes and team meetings. Additionally, you will complete basic administrative tasks within the Research & Evaluation team and its partners. This position will be based at our Educare Chicago School located in Chicago’s Grand Boulevard neighborhood at 5044 South Wabash Avenue.

Reporting to the Research Analyst, you will:

• Support research and program evaluation assessment and data collection efforts by administering surveys, conducting one-on-one standardized child assessments with toddler and preschool-age students, scheduling and communicating with program staff, and supporting outreach to parents/families.
• Support the management of quantitative and qualitative data, including scoring, cleaning protocols and data sets, and data entry; and supporting the development and maintenance of data management and quality assurance protocols.
• Conduct basic descriptive quantiative analyses (e.g., count, mean, range, %) and introductory qualitative analyses (e.g., coding, theme analysis) of program evaluation data.
• Support basic quantitative data preparation and visualization (e.g., data dashboards, figures, charts, tables), qualitative data preparation (e.g., narrative summaries, relevant quotes), and reporting of evaluation findings and data for continuous quality improvement and dissemination for various audiences.
• Provide general project and administrative support, including notetaking, work planning, progress reporting, documentation, and coordination and communication among team members and partners.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, behavioral sciences, education, research/evaluation methodology, or related discipline
• 1 to 3 years of experience formally engaging with toddler and preschool-age children.
• 1 to 3 years of experience with data collection and/or data management preferred
• Already, or able to become, certified in conducting research and evaluation with human subjects (e.g., CITI)
• Clearance of a background check by the Department of Children and Family Services
• A biannual physical examination, TB test, and up-to-date MMR and Tdap vaccination are required as a condition of initial and continued employment
• Commitment to work for at least one year
• Deep commitment in advancing diversity and inclusion into organizational routines and practices.
• Effectively establish and maintain effective relationships with customers and gain their trust and respect.
• Comfort and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.

We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply !

Base Annual Salary: $30.15 - $32.00/hr

As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.