Bilingual Research Project Coordinator

About the role

The University of South Florida (USF) is a high-impact research university committed to student success and community engagement, generating more than $6 billion in annual economic impact. With campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee, USF serves approximately 50,000 students from nearly 150 countries. USF is consistently ranked among the nation’s top public universities by U.S. News & World Report and recently earned its highest overall ranking among public and private institutions. In 2023, USF became the first public university in Florida in nearly 40 years invited to join the Association of American Universities, underscoring its leadership in research and innovation. As a global leader in securing new patents and conducting hundreds of millions of dollars in research activity each year, USF offers a dynamic environment for individuals dedicated to solving complex problems and improving lives.

University of South Florida's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is home to a world-class, multidisciplinary faculty of speech-language pathologists, audiologists, sign-language interpreters, linguists, hearing scientists and speech scientists. Together, we serve the diverse and growing Tampa Bay community through culturally and linguistically responsive care delivered across schools, medical centers, private practices and community settings. Our vision is to be a global leader in improving the quality of communication for people across the lifespan and promote access and inclusion within their communities.

Responsibilities

The Bilingual Research Project Coordinator reports directly to the Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and supports the daily coordination of research involving a new grant on the identification of language and reading disorders in 6-year-old children and communication with their families for the project LQYSQ. The coordinator develops and maintains relationships with schools, after-school programs, pediatric offices, libraries, community centers, family-serving organizations, and other local partners that can help connect eligible families with the study. The coordinator communicates with families in English and Spanish, supports screening and enrollment, schedules study activities, maintains recruitment and participant records, coordinates research assistants and volunteers, and monitors progress toward enrollment goals. The position also supports REDCap records, IRB documentation, data quality, and general study organization. The employee must be energetic, approachable, culturally responsive, highly organized, and comfortable working independently in both office and community settings.

Communicates with interested and enrolled families in English and Spanish by telephone, email, text, video meeting, or in person. Responds to inquiries, conducts approved eligibility screening, schedules appointments, sends reminders, answers routine study questions, and supports participant retention. When appropriately trained and authorized under the IRB-approved study protocol, conducts the parental permission, child assent and assessment process. Documents family contacts accurately and maintains a welcoming, respectful, and culturally responsive experience.

Qualifications

• Professional fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish. The employee must be able to communicate comfortably and clearly with English- and Spanish-speaking and bilingual families.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field related to the position’s responsibilities, such as Communication Sciences and Disorders, Public Health, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Linguistics, Communications, Marketing, Family Studies, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with community members through employment, internships, service-learning, volunteer work, student organizations, schools, family programs, health programs, community organizations, or similar settings.
• Strong interpersonal, public-speaking, relationship-building, organization, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to initiate conversations, establish trust, maintain professional relationships, and represent the study positively in the community.
• Ability to travel locally and work occasionally in the afternoon, evening, or weekend events as needed.
• Ability to maintain confidential records and complete required research and university training.

Schedule

This position requires on-site presence and regular travel to locations within the community. The work should include regular daytime office coverage and flexibility for afternoon, evening, or occasional weekend community events, with corresponding schedule adjustments.