Education Research Assistant, Assessor (Early Education, Preschool / Kindergarte

SRI Education is committed to bringing rigorous and equitable research and evaluation data to bear on important educational policy and practice decisions that ultimately benefit practitioners, students, and families. SRI Education, in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, is looking for temporary, part-time research assistants to conduct assessments and observations with preschool and kindergarten children.

This position offers a great opportunity to gain valuable child assessment skills and experience using standardized child assessment measures. Applicants should have experience conducting research and/or working with children in preschool and elementary school settings. Assessments will be conducted in schools in the Fall of 2024 and again in Spring of 2025. Training and certification on the assessment instruments will be provided in July and August of 2024 (Up to 6 training dates, via real time Zoom call or in-person). Successful applicants will be paid for their training as well as for time conducting assessments and other research activities. This is a temporary position for the 2024-2025 school year.

Work will take place in Douglas County / Omaha Metropolitan Area, NE Classrooms, 1:1 with students.

Position requirements:

Attend up to six training days in July-August to prepare for data collection responsibilities.
• Conduct direct child assessments and observations during fall and spring data collection periods (Aug-Nov in the fall, and March-May in the spring).
• Communicate with SRI project manager and teachers to schedule data collection activities.
• Enter data in a web-based database.
• Must be willing and able to travel in-person to school sites and conduct assessments 1:1 with students outside the classroom

Required qualifications:

• Some undergraduate coursework in psychology, education, social work or early childhood
• Strong organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience working with children (e.g., as a teacher or assistant teacher in an elementary school, conducting assessments with children, working in afterschool programs)
• Access to a car or reliable transportation, as data collectors are expected to drive to participating schools
• Access to a computer/digital device and reliable internet
• Willingness to complete all security measures and training required by the study
• Morning & early afternoon availability (8am-2pm) at least three days a week, Monday through Friday

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with research
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish
• The position is estimated to require approximately 18-24 hours per week during the fall and spring data collection periods.

Pay for this role is $25 / hour.

SRI International, an over 75-year strong pioneering research institute, has a rich history supporting government and industry. Our innovations have created new industries, billions of dollars in market value and lasting benefits to society. SRI is organized around broad disciplines and capabilities, with research and development divisions and labs to groups who excel at identifying new opportunities, developing products and creating custom solutions. Our organization is driven by impact - delivering unique solutions for the world's important challenges and transforming ideas into reality for clients and partners.