Research Assistant, Early Childhood Classroom Observer (Jacksonville, FL Area)

Jacksonville, FL - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 25 - 30

Posted on: 21 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The Marsico Institute for Early Learning is housedinthe Morgridge College of Education (MCE) at the University of Denver. We have dedicated ourselves to improving learning environments and outcomes for children birth to age8. Weidentifythe 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 toaccomplishthroughout the rest of their lifetimes.

Position Summary

The Marsico Institute is accepting applications forResearch AssistantClassroom Observerswill work as part of a team for an efficacy research study implementing and evaluating an earlychildhood curriculumunder the direct supervision of the Principal Investigators and Project use standardized observation toolsto collect observational data on preschool classroominstruction.

Thispositioninvolves driving or commuting to sitesin and aroundJacksonvilleFlorida collectingand enteringclassroomobservationdataandpossibly conductingfollow-up teacher candidates willbe requiredto fullyparticipateinmultiplein-person and/or virtual training sessions fidelity work inter-rater reliabilitytrainingand observationsessions and classroom-basedin-personobservations in pre-kindergarten classrooms.

This is a temporary grant-funded position to begin work on or afterFebruary 92026throughMay 28 2026 or until all classroom observation data has been Observersmust be available to traveltoclassrooms at multiple school sitesinand around Jacksonville Floridabetween7:00amand3:30pmat least3daysperweekMonday toavehicleandadherence toDU Driving Procedures including the successful completion of a driving backgroundcheck and online driving safetycourseisrequiredfor this role.

Observers will alsobe requiredto complete and pass criminal background checks for both the University of Denver and all background checks including fingerprinting required byparticipatingschoolsin a timely manner. Failure to complete and pass either of these components will result in an inability to carry out the project work and therefore will result in immediate separation.

Required training forobserverswill take placevirtually and/orat a TBD location in theJacksonville areaat thefollowing dates and must fully attend all training sessions; failure to attend any sessions in their entirety may result in immediate separation.

Required Training Sessions:Februaryand24;12:00pm 5:00pm ET;Virtual Zoom Training

Required Certification Timeline:Initial round certification video and material due byFebruary:00pm ET. Assessors cannot begin data collection until they have passed certification.

Important:To continue in this position following training sessionsobserverswillbe requiredto pass a certification processdemonstratingtheyare able to reliablyconduct and codeall observationswith fidelity to the successful candidate mustdemonstrateproficiencyof a minimum of85% accuracy ofinstrumentadministration and coding on all portions of theobservationsto will havetwo attemptsto complete the certification process outlinedabove. If certification is not achieved after two rounds the candidate will not bepermittedto move forward in this role effectiveimmediately.

This is a non-benefited position not to exceed 1000 hours in a calendar year.

Essential Functions

Conductclassroom observationsfollowing strict protocols.
Enter and verify data collectedinto Excel or a similar format.
Participatefullyinallfidelity work and inter-rater reliability trainingat specified dates times and locations without exception.
Travel to classrooms at multiple school sites in Duval County andobservein the classroom between 7:00 am to 3:30 pm at least 3 days per week Monday through Friday (access to vehicle/transportationrequired).

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 iPad use and basic features of virtual collaboration software.
Close attention to detail.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Capable of successfully working independently and as part of a team.
Ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages.
Ability to adhere to strict protocols and data collection procedures.

Required Qualifications

Some college coursework.
Experience working with young children in a classroom setting or in socialsciencequalitative research.
English language fluent.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelors degree.
College coursework in Education Psychology Research Social Science or relatedfield.
Experience conducting observations using standardized data collection tools( etc.).
Spanish languagefluent.

Work Schedule

Part-time varies withavailability7:00 am to 3:30 pmat least 3 daysperweek Monday local travelin and near Jacksonville FLisrequired.

This is a temporary grant-funded position to begin work on or after February 9 2026 through May 28 2026 or until all classroom observation data has been collected. Classroom Observers must be available to travel to classrooms at multiple school sites in and around Jacksonville Florida between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm at least 3 days per week Monday through Friday.

Hourly Range:

Hourly pay for this position ranges from$25.00-$30.00 an hourcommensuratewith education and experience.

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 candidates 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 to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Application Deadline
For consideration please submit your application materials by 12:00 a.m. (MST) on February 2 2026.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Coverletterhighlightingrelevant observation assessment and/or early childhood experience(no longer than one page)

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background checkfor both the University of Denver and participating school districts as well as a satisfactory completion of a driving background check in line withUniversity of Denver Driving Procedures.

Required Experience:

Junior IC