Early Childhood Classroom Observation Assessment Specialist, Marsico Institute for Early Learning

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 will be able to accomplish throughout the rest of their lifetimes.

Position Summary

The Marsico Institute is accepting applications for Classroom Observers who 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 observation tool, the Classroom Observation of Early Mathematics-Environment and Teaching (COEMET), to collect observational data on preschool classroom mathematics instruction.

This position involves driving or commuting to sites in and around Oakland and Wayne counties in Michigan, collecting and entering teacher observation data, including videotaping classroom instruction, and possibly conducting follow-up teacher interviews. All candidates will be required to fully participate in multiple in-person and/or virtual training sessions, fidelity work, inter-rater reliability training and observation sessions, and classroom-based and/or virtual observations in pre-kindergarten classrooms in Wayne and/or Oakland counties in Michigan.

This is a temporary, grant-funded position to begin work on or after April 8, 2024 through June 14, 2024, with possible additional work in late Spring 2025. Each classroom observation takes approximately three consecutive hours to complete, with an additional 1-1.5 hours to complete observation forms and upload videos. Classroom Observers must be available to travel to classrooms at multiple school sites in Oakland and Wayne Counties in Michigan and observe in the classroom between 7:00 am to 3:00 pm at least 3 days a week Monday through Thursday (access to vehicle required). To continue in this position, following training sessions, you will be required to pass a certification process demonstrating you are able to reliably observe and score classroom math instruction with fidelity to the instrument.

Essential Functions

• Conduct classroom observations, including videotaping of classroom instruction, following strict protocols.
• Enter and verify data collected into Excel or a similar format.
• Participate fully in all fidelity work and inter-rater reliability training at specified dates, times, and locations, without exception.

• Travel to data collection sessions at specified dates, times, and locations. 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, and basic features of virtual collaboration software.
• Upload observation data (videos and data scans) on specified platforms in a timely and accurate manner
• Close attention to detail.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Capable of successfully working independently and as part of a team.

• Basic knowledge of research methods. Required Qualifications

• Some college coursework.

• Experience working with young children, in a classroom setting, or in social science qualitative research.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• College coursework in Education, Psychology, Research, Social Science, or related ield.
• Experience conducting observations using standardized data collection tools (e.g., CLASS).
• Spanish language fluency. Work Schedule

Part-time, varies with availability 7:00 am to 3:00 pm at least 3 days a week Monday through Friday. Regular local travel to Wayne and Oakland counties in Michigan is required.

Hourly Range: The hourly range for the position is $20.00 - $28.00.

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