New Worlds Reading Initiative, Project Specialist

The Lastinger Center for Learning is an education innovation hub within UF’s College of Education focused on creating equitable education systems that improve teaching and learning across early childhood and K-12 education. Specifically, the Center targets kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading proficiency, and algebra proficiency as critical milestones in children’s educational trajectory that are predictive of success in school and life. The Center works at the nexus of research, practice, and policy to develop sustainable systems that leverage educational technologies and improve the implementation of research-based practices. Housed in one of the nation’s elite public research universities, the Center operates as a dynamic, entrepreneurial workplace focused on executing against UF’s service mission to strengthen the human condition and improve the quality of life.

Responsibilities:

Vendor Management

• Manage relationship with book vendor, Braille vendor, and vendor for content trans-adaption
• Manage book supply and distribution logistics of welcome letter, Interactive reading guides, braille books & bookmarks, and videos
• Collaborate with Scholastic Project Managers/Directors to ensure goal alignment
• Conduct project meetings to deliver progress reports and to communicate project status with team members, vendors and stakeholders
• Develop project plans, timelines, and critical milestones
• Support the continuous development of best practices and tools for project management and execution.

Coordination of Content Development Processes

• Ensure book title selection and DOE approval for each monthly shipment
• Support business needs across the delivery cycle and production including, processing change order requests, and communicating effectively with stakeholders, managers, and other impacted teams to ensure their input is considered and needs are met
• Provide administrative and logistical support for program activities including project documentation, meeting notes, and facilitating content process changes
• Devise and oversee project asset tracking from initiation through warehouse delivery
• Assist with coordination of asset creation for Engagement Events and activities
• Account for collection of all monthly delivered assets for LC review and documentation
• Ensure alignment with visual identity guidelines and consistency with LC Communications Team
• Coordinate the procurement of Braille books and the development of the Braille Reading Guides delivered to and shipped by Scholastic
• Facilitate timely outcomes related to problem-solving, mitigating obstacles, and holding the team accountable for project deliverables.
• Troubleshoot challenges and address them as they arise; coordinate with other project staff providing implementation support to ensure consistency and effective communication structures.

Project Feedback and Evaluation

• Research and analyze business impact against project scope and make recommendations to business process solutions and effective project delivery
• Collaborate with Data Manager and Project Specialist to ensure access to data needed to support project evaluation.
• Review and ensure response to customer service queries regarding book delivery
• Conduct post-project assessments and evaluations about the internal book delivery process
• Develop and deliver progress reports, proposals, requirements documentation, and presentations as needed.

Other Duties as Assigned

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The mission of the Lastinger Center for Learning is to create equitable educational systems where every child and educator, regardless of circumstances, experiences high-quality learning every day to support children’s achievement of critical milestones that are predictive of success in school and life. In order to achieve this mission, the Lastinger Center is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a dynamic and diverse team.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, \ genetic information and veteran status in also aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits and training.

Hybrid work location policy
Lastinger Center for Learning supports and promotes a healthy work-life balance. To achieve this, the Lastinger Center offers a flexible, hybrid work schedule that aligns with the university’s Flexibility in the Workplace Policy. Allowing employees to stagger arrival and departure times as necessary and to vary the number of workdays in the office so long as an employee’s FTE commitment is fulfilled within the university workweek. This policy also allows for occasional, incidental remote work based on individual circumstances.

$55,000-$65,000

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• PMP Certification or equivalent credential
• Strong relational, organizational, and communication skills
• General experience working in education
• Proficient in a broad range of collaboration and project management software (e.g., Teams,
  Zoom, Google Docs, Dropbox, Box)
• Demonstrates the following competencies highly valued by the Lastinger Center:
  • Collaborative: making and inviting contributions
  • Proactive: initiative-taking leadership
  • Curious: inquiry-oriented and innovative
  • Gracious: comfortable in ambiguity
  • Equitable: justice-oriented and fair-minded
  • Accountable: driving toward impact and measurable outcomes
  • Data-driven: embracing a culture of measurement

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

This is a time-limited position.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.