Research Assistant, Early Childhood Assessor; Jacksonville, FL Area

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 age 8. 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.

The Marsico Institute is acceptingapplicationsfor Early Childhood Assessors.

Assessors will work as part of a team for an efficacy research study implementing and evaluating an early childhood curriculum,under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigators and Project Director.

Assessors will use standardized assessment toolsto collect one-on-one assessment data on preschool student knowledge and skillsin various content areas.

This position involves driving or commuting to sites in and around Jacksonville, Florida, assessing students using computer adaptivetestsand interviewing students with strict,standardized protocols. Assessorswillconduct assessments via paper-pencil and/orreal-timei

Paddata entry.

All candidates willbe required to fullyparticipatein multiple in-person and/or virtual training sessions, fidelity work, inter-rater reliability trainingsessionsinin Jacksonville, Florida.

to begin work onor after

February 9,2026through May 28, 2026,or until all student data has been collected. Assessors must be available to travel and assess children atmultiple school sites inand around

Jacksonville, Florida between 7:00 am and 3:30 pmat least 3 days per week Monday through

Friday. Access toavehicleandadherence toDU Driving Procedures, including the successful completion of a driving background check and online driving safetycourseisrequiredfor this role.

Assessors will alsobe required to 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 Sessions:
  March 2nd– 6th; 8:30am–4:30pm ET;
  Jacksonville, FL Location TBD

• Required Certification Timeline:
  Initial round certification video and material due by March 13, 2026, 4:00pm ET. Assessors cannot begin data collection until they have passed certification.

Important:
To continue in this position, following training sessions, assessors will be required to pass a certification process demonstrating they are able to reliably conduct and code all assessments with fidelity to the instruments. The successful candidate must demonstrate proficiency of a minimum of 85% accuracy of instrument administration and coding on all portions of the assessments to achieve certification. Candidates will have two attempts to complete the certification process outlined above.

If certification is not achieved after two rounds, the candidate will not be permitted to move forward in this role, effective immediately.

• Conduct one-on-one student assessments using math, literacy, science, and life skills measures.
• Verify data collected.
• Clean and code data.
• Scan and/or upload assessment data daily to designated websites.
• Participate fully and successfully complete fidelity work and inter-rater reliability training. Travel to classrooms at multiple school sites in Duval County and assess in the classroom between 7:00 am to 3:30 pm at least 3 days per week Monday through Friday (access to vehicle/transportation required).

• 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.

• Some college coursework.
• Experience working with young children, in a classroom setting, or in social science qualitative research.
• English language fluent.

• Bachelor's degree.
• College coursework in Education, Psychology, Research, Social Science, or related field.
• Experience conducting assessments using…