Data Collector

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks that include numerous retail and restaurant discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates for performing arts events.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) is one of the nation’s oldest and largest multidisciplinary centers devoted to the study of children and their families. As one of the nation’s leading child development research centers, we generate scientific evidence, inform policies, and support practices to promote positive developmental and educational outcomes for children of all backgrounds and abilities from infancy to adolescence.

FPG has a particular focus on the study of vulnerable populations and those who have special needs. In addition, FPG is committed to addressing the critical issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as the ways that educational inequality and barriers to inclusion impact children’s wellbeing.

Approximately 280 researchers, implementation and technical assistance specialists, staff, and students work on more than 75 projects related to developmental disabilities; physical, social, and emotional health; early care and education; early intervention and special education, prevention science, and more to address important issues facing all children and families. Our work spans across disciplines from education and psychology to social work and public health.

We collaborate with researchers across campus and throughout the nation. At FPG, transdisciplinary collaboration is a way to leverage collective expertise for comprehensive and relevant research and outreach, and is embodied in our motto: Advancing knowledge to transform children’s lives.

Position Summary

This position is located in Georgia.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The FPG Child Development Institute is conducting an evaluation of the Georgia Rising Kindergarten Summer Transition Program (Rising Kindergarten STP). Responsibilities for the position include conducting in-person classroom observations in the state of Georgia using standardized protocols. The day-to-day work includes gathering, preparing, managing, organizing, scoring, and electronically entering data for the evaluation study. It also includes communications with study participants and in-office personnel.

Data Collection: This function includes:

• Testing and passing CLASS 2nd Edition Observer and ELLCO certification.
• Training to reliability on data collection procedures and measures and maintaining reliability throughout project.
• Scheduling data collection visits by making phone calls to sites and sending follow-up emails.
• Preparing data collection forms prior to site visits.
• Following detailed instructions to collect data according to the study protocol.
• Collecting data (e.g., classroom quality measures) at participating sites.
• Completing all data collection forms carefully, accurately, and thoroughly.
• Mailing data to FPG according to evaluation study protocol.
• Working in a team to ensure data collection is completed as scheduled.

Data Management: This function involves:

• Scoring data, reviewing for accuracy, cleaning, and coding after completion.
• Ensuring that all data are identified and labeled correctly.
• Entering and tracking data via project equipment, Excel and Qualtrics.
• Maintaining records on the status of evaluation study data according to project protocol.
• Communicating updates and responding in a timely and ongoing manner with project staff at FPG.
• Organizing and maintaining secure temporary data storage.
• Reviewing entered data for errors and make corrections in a timely manner.
• Receiving and incorporating feedback from project staff at FPG.

General project duties: This function involves:

• Maintaining confidentiality regarding data and participants.
• Communicating regularly with your supervisor in Chapel Hill, NC via meetings, conference calls, plus other telephone contacts and e-mail as needed.
• Completing travel & per diem reimbursement documentation accurately and submitting to FPG administration staff weekly via the Concur Travel System.
• Completing additional tasks, e.g., attend additional training or meetings, participating in basic project coordination with teachers, as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Management Preferences

• Experience administering classroom observations or working with young children in pre-kindergarten through third grade
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, tablets, and web-based data entry
• Reliable internet access from home
• Reliable transportation
• Willingness to travel throughout Georgia

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Position requires ability to travel to and from community locations which could include traversing stairs, sitting in a chair for several hours each day, and standing for periods of time. Visual attention, mental concentration, and manipulative skills are required during classroom observation to accurately observe the interactions between the teachers and children, take notes, and score measures. Duties to be performed with or without accommodation.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Special Instructions

By applying for this position, you are also being considered for identical position numbers 20000687, 20000775, 20000777, 20000828, 20000888.