Research Assistant for Evaluation of Program for Low-income Infants/Toddlers & Families

Overview: The Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention at the University of
Maryland College Park (UMD), is seeking full-time and part-time research assistants (RAs) to
work on a project to evaluate an early care, education, and intervention program for low-income
infants and toddlers, and their families. The RAs would be part of a busy and thriving research-
to-practice group at the University of Maryland. This position is ideal for a young professional
wanting to work with children and families and/or seeking to attend graduate school at a later
point.

Responsibilities: The RA duties for this position are primarily related to data collection for the
evaluation of a program serving low-income infants, toddlers, and their families. Specifically,
RAs will conduct home visits to collect data on family characteristics and experiences, and to
administer assessments to infants and toddlers. Other data collection activities may include
recruiting families for the project at child care centers, as well as interviewing child care center
staff. Although the project is housed at University of Maryland College Park, data collection
occurs in low-income communities of Washington, DC. Given that the data collection occurs in
families’ homes, ideally candidates will have access to a car. Home visits are scheduled at the
times that work best for families. They are primarily conducted on weekday mornings,
weekday evenings, and weekend mornings. RAs are expected to work 20-40 hours per week on
a flexible schedule.

Qualifications:
● Excellent interpersonal, collaborative, and organizational skills are required.
● Must have evening and weekend availability.
● Must be available to work at least 20 hours per week.
● Experience working in low-income communities is preferred.
● Some experience working with children and families is preferred.
● Infant/toddler assessment experience is a plus, but notrequired.
● Majorin psychology, education, child development,family science, or a related discipline.
● Background using SPSS or other data entry programs is a plus, but not required.

How to Apply: Please send the following in one pdf file to Cassie Simons (csimons1@umd.edu)
● Resume or Curriculum Vita (CV).
● Halfpage(double-spaced)letterofinterestdescribingtheapplicant’srelatedexperiences,
interest in the position, and future career aspirations.
● Names and contact information for 1-2 references (references can come from work or
volunteer experience or academic advisors orinstructors).
● An unofficial transcript for any undergraduate or graduate work completed.
● For best consideration, please submit your application by December 15th, 2019.