Data Collector (Casual I)

About the role

The Data-Collector (Casual I) reports to the Project Director and is a hybrid position that requires in-person administration of science assessments for kindergarten and first grade students in their elementary school classrooms. We are seeking 5 part-time Data-Collectors to work on a federally funded project examining how integrated science and literacy curricula affect early elementary students' understanding of science both in the short term (over one school year) and long term (sustained over two academic years). The Data-Collector will support kindergarten and 1st grade students as they complete self-administered tablet-based assessments in their elementary school classrooms.

Location and availability

We are specifically looking for data collectors who are based in Wisconsin, Oregon, Syracuse, or California, and available during the following assessment data collection time periods: October–November 2026, May–June 2027, October–November 2027, and May–June 2028. The candidate must have willingness, availability, and flexibility for travel.

Schedule and hours

The total number of expected work hours will vary dependent on the number of schools and classrooms within each study location but is expected to total between 100–200 hours per school year for a total of three school years. The data collector is expected to work approximately 15–20 hours per week during the October–November pre-test window and the May–June post-test period. Weekly hours will vary by study site and data collection schedule. Additional time may include remote training, reliability assessments, travel, tablet setup and testing, school-based assessment, and post-collection data management. Training and preparation activities will be scheduled flexibly around staff availability; school-based data collection will involve approximately two weeks of data collection, with up to six hours of assessment work per day during school hours.

Responsibilities

• Participate in study orientation meeting and all data collection and study trainings
• Become a reliable assessment administrator
• Undergo required background checks and fingerprinting procedures
• Complete required CITI research ethics course
• Travel locally/regionally to and from elementary schools within data collection sites (Madison, Wisconsin; East Syracuse, New York; Portland, Oregon; San Juan, California)
• Travel costs (e.g. mileage) for up to a one-hour commuting distance will be reimbursed
• Conduct assessments with kindergarten and first grade students
• Complete data entry and follow-up notes within 24 hours of data collection
• Communicate effectively with teachers and other school staff during the study about scheduled visits to classrooms
• Facilitate project teamwork by communicating effectively and engaging collaboratively
• Coordinate and communicate with study team leaders to follow established data collection protocols, and to submit completed data collected in a timely fashion
• Troubleshoot potential technical difficulties during assessment administration
• Maintain responsibility for the maintenance, safety, and set-up of the study's assessment tablet technology and related accessories
• Potentially also conduct classroom observations of science activities in study locations

Qualifications

This position requires excellent communication skills, demonstrable initiative and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively as part of a research team; and comfort in school settings working with elementary school students to administer assessments.

Required

• Successful completion of Human Subjects training and certification
• Successful completion of child assessment training
• Data collectors who work with students in schools will be required by the state Department of Education to pass a criminal background check
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience working with young children
• Experience teaching within elementary schools
• Experience conducting assessments with young children

Preferred

• Experience in early childhood conducting kindergarten through first grade child assessments
• 1–2 years of related research or education experience
• Experience administering assessments to children using technology
• Individuals with prior experience serving as a teacher in elementary classrooms encouraged to apply

Pay

The starting hourly rate range for this position is $33 – $35/hour.

Additional details

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future visa sponsorship. EDC is unable to support employment-based visa sponsorship at this time. This casual position is non-benefits eligible and receives statutory benefits of Social Security contributions, Medicare contributions, unemployment insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and sick leave. A casual position ends when work is complete; however, there may be opportunity for other data collection opportunities on other projects, dependent on funding.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.