BSD SUR - OHNS: Thirty Million Words

About the Department
 

The TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health at the University of Chicago develops, tests, and implements evidence-based interventions designed to promote very young children’s cognitive and social-emotional development, with a priority placed on that of children living in poverty. TMW Center interventions are designed to be overlaid onto existing health, education, and social service systems working at scale in a given community in order to meet families where they already are. The TMW Center has a robust research and development strategy that includes further development and testing of TMW interventions; harnessing technology to support behavior change, intervention engagement, and analysis; and furthering strategies to engage parents in the TMW Center’s interventions across the health, early learning, and social service sectors.

Job Summary
 

The TMW Center seeks a Project Manager/Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program Builder to lead the testing, development and implementation of its suite of tools that support Early Childhood Education (ECE) practitioners. These tools harness technology and brain-development research to maximize the growth of children’s brains during their first years of life, the period of life when most of the brain is developed. The Project Manager will manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the development and implementation of Professional Development resources for ECE teachers and other early childhood professionals, as well as parents and caregivers broadly. TMW Center research has identified that the quality of interactions between caregivers, parents and teachers has a powerful impact on children’s outcomes. The Project Manager will test, refine, and expand the tools available for ECE professionals by working closely with TMW Center researchers and developers, and childcare and Pre-K providers around the United States.

We are seeking an educator with a demonstrated commitment to supporting and implementing high-quality, inclusive early childhood education. The preferred candidate will have prior teaching and/or administrative experience within early childhood classroom settings (e.g., an accredited childcare center, Head Start Center, Pre-K, etc.). The preferred candidate will have a firm understanding of current best-practice pedagogy related to language development instruction, as well as some familiarity with quality improvement strategies, professional learning practices and tools (such as Teaching Strategies Gold, CLASS, LENA etc.). The preferred candidate will also have experience working collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues, especially those of differing backgrounds. Some travel will be required (approximately 10%).

Responsibilities

Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation:

• Support Chief Creative Officer and collaborate closely with TMW’s Curriculum, Partnerships and other internal teams to develop, pilot and implement TMW’s ECE resources and professional development strategy.

• Provide educator expertise to inform strategy and develop content for TMW’s ECE professional development resources including new technology and tools.

• Investigate and report on trends, best practices, research, and initiatives in early childhood professional development and quality improvement strategies.

• With Chief Creative Officer, engage with partner organizations and individuals to gather user feedback.

• Plan for and coordinate formative testing, early pilots and implementation in partner sites. Provide support for implementing teachers and site leadership and serve as a primary contact for managing the on-the-ground aspects of these partnerships.

• Support partner’s staff using PD resources. Provide additional training and support as needed to maintain high level of quality.

• Recruit participants for data collection. Implement data collection and entry best practices, monitor for a high level of reliability, and ensure fidelity of implementation of assessments. Ensure quality of data collection.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of TMW Center programs and tools through a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures.

• Design and implement new programs and strategies based on the outcomes of evaluations and the emergent needs of partners or the TMW Center.

Partnerships:

• Implement the TMW Center’s ECE professional development strategy within existing and new partnerships in childcare and early education settings.

• Nurture relationships with partners/participants that ensures strong communication and ultimate success between the TMW Center and these individuals and groups.

• Identify additional childcare centers, organizations, agencies, etc. that could serve as future community research partners.  Collaborate actively with the TMW Center’s Partnerships team to strategize approaches for pursuing new partners.

• Serve as an ambassador of the TMW Center’s mission and resources to partners, families/caregivers, and the public.

Other:

• Coordinates events, researches logistics, assists with planning and preparing presentations, event outreach, and post-event write ups.

• Assists with researching funding opportunities, preparing grant proposals, and drafting and/or editing other written materials with moderate guidance.

• Assists with other administrative projects as needed and acquire higher level guidance and skills.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Teaching experience in an early education setting: child care, Pre-K, or early elementary education.

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge of early childhood developmental stages and pedagogy.

• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Ability to train others.

• Excellent organizational skills, including strong attention to detail.

• Proven ability to establish and stick to timelines.

• Problem-solving skills, including a strong ability to prioritize.

• Initiative and independent judgment.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, and PowerPoint as well as conduct and participate in Zoom meetings on camera.

• Demonstrated ability to build diverse relationships and manage professional workload with minimal supervision.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Teaching experience in an early education setting: child care, Pre-K, or early elementary education.

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge of early childhood developmental stages and pedagogy.

• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Ability to train others.

• Excellent organizational skills, including strong attention to detail.

• Proven ability to establish and stick to timelines.

• Problem-solving skills, including a strong ability to prioritize.

• Initiative and independent judgment.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, and PowerPoint as well as conduct and participate in Zoom meetings on camera.

• Demonstrated ability to build diverse relationships and manage professional workload with minimal supervision.