Non-Exempt Temporary or Casual IGDI Lab

Position Overview

IGDI Lab through the Department of Educational Psychology in the College of Education and Human Development, at the University of Minnesota, has an occasional need for part-time, temporary or casual employees across multiple projects.

This position is an hourly temp casual position with hours that ebb and flow with the needs of data collection for the IGDI Lab. Projects focus on assessment and data-based decision-making within a multi-tiered system of support for English, Spanish, and Hmong speaking children ranging from 3-6 years of age.

The position requires an interest in and knowledge of early childhood assessment. This data collection position includes training on assessments and interaction with young children to collect data. Data collectors will travel to early childhood classrooms and use iPads or tablets to assess children. Once hired, all data collectors will be trained on all assessments and fidelity procedures and are required to achieve 90% fidelity using existing fidelity of implementation forms before they are allowed to enter the classroom for live testing. After completing training, the data collectors are required to test children, record the data, and report updates to the research team.

This position is based on campus/in-person. The work schedule is temporary in nature, meaning the employee is limited to 67 days of work in a calendar year. It can also be casual in nature, meaning the employee can work 14 or fewer hours per week. Employees working in this position are paid an hourly rate; temporary and casual employees are not eligible for retirement plans, health insurance, vacation, sick leave, or the Regents Scholarship.

Potential Projects;

Data collectors will be assigned to support one or multiple IGDI Lab projects based on language proficiency and lived experience described in recruitment flyers: https://z.umn.edu/DataCollectorFlyers. Opportunities are available for administering assessments in English and/or Spanish.

Interactive Storybook Platform for the Equitable Assessment of Knowledge (I-SPEAK): The I-SPEAK assessment leverages the value of storytelling to provide a culturally and linguistically responsive and highly engaging assessment experience for preschool children. Built using group-specific design, the assessment includes an English story centering African American/Black children and a Spanish story centering Spanish-speaking children. Data collectors can give assessments in Spanish, English, or both languages.

Hmong Individual Growth and Development Indicators (Hmong IGDIs): This project focuses on measuring language and literacy growth of young children who speak Hmong. This school year, the project is working with kindergarten students to understand how their prior performance in preschool predicts their performance in kindergarten. Data collectors will give assessments in English.

Computer Adaptive Storybook Assessment (CASA): This project has developed a computer-adaptive language and early literacy storybook assessment for preschoolers who have limited language skills, delays or disorders, or are at risk for limited language development using a highly engaging, game-based application. Data collectors can give assessments in Spanish, English, or both languages.

Job Responsibilities

Data Collection and Data Entry (100%):

• Travel to sites and collect assessment data with preschool- and Kindergarten- age children based on information provided by the data collection lead.
• Document all scores.
• Transfer data each session by syncing iPad devices and recording progress in a tracking spreadsheet.

Required Qualifications

• Some high school, 2 years work experience, or lived experiences that align with project goals
• Interest in early childhood, assessment, education or a related field.
• Desire to work with educators and children.
• Ability to communicate with manager and team members over email, phone, and/or videoconference.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities.
• Reliable transportation for travel to school sites.
• Ability to work within school hours (approximately 8am-3pm; M-F).

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated written and verbal communication fluency in Spanish
• Lived experiences that align with project goals
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to take initiative and be self-directed
• Experience in classroom settings and/or working with children one-on-one
• Experience with data collection
• Demonstrated excellent data entry skills
• Experience working with preschool and/or elementary-age children

Department of Educational Psychology

The Department of Educational Psychology provides training in the cognitive, emotional, and social learning processes that underlie education and human development across the lifespan, including: the psychological foundations of education, quantitative methods in education, the practice and science of counseling psychology, school psychology, and special education. Faculty and students provide leadership and consultation to the state, nation, and international community. The department's scholarship and teaching enhance professional practice in schools and universities, community mental health agencies, business and industrial organizations, early childhood programs, and government agencies. https://www.cehd.umn.edu/edpsych

College of Education and Human Development

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the third largest college and the University, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of the life span. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice. https://www.cehd.umn.edu/

Pay Range: $20-$30 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).