Research Associate

Research Associate

Work under the direction of the Hawaii Early Childhood Educator Excellence and Equity (ECE3) Project Director and Principal Investigator as a research-to practice to advance Hawaii's early childhood education (ECE) profession and continuous quality improvement system.

Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, environmental scans on ECE teacher preparation, workforce development strategies, leadership initiatives, continuous quality improvement systems, and related topics, ensuring fidelity of research activities. Review and synthesize national, state, and local research, reports, and evidence-based practices.

Coordinate intervention, implementation, and evaluation activities with team members, faculty members, internal and external partners, and stakeholders. Develop model replication resources based on assessments of success, effectiveness, and utilization of the program and services.

Maintain a research and industry profile in ECE teacher preparation; workforce recruitment, development, and retention; and continuous quality improvement by building partnerships and supporting stakeholder engagement, participating in conferences, training sessions, workshops, and related professional activities.

Develop grant proposals, issue briefs, policy briefs, white papers, background materials, and take meeting minutes, and notes. Prepares and presents comprehensive quarterly/annual reports, metrics and program outcomes to funders, key leadership and partners as required.

Initiate and cultivate partnerships with organizations and individuals providing ECE career opportunities for high school and college students, and new teachers; as well as experts and specialists in Native Hawaiian and other culturally and linguistically diverse ECE programs to inform future development of model fidelity protocols and facilitate dissemination of model replication materials.

Travel to and from various off-site locations and/or work outside of normal business hours including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as needed to fulfill research and operational needs.

Observe and train APT level staff, casual hires, and student employees, in order to improve project intervention, implementation, and evaluation activities.

Coordinate, implement, and evaluate regular and periodic small, medium, and/or large-scale events by convening planning committees, engaging and managing vendors, coordinating logistics, and recruiting and supervising volunteers.

Manage communication and the design and maintenance of program websites, social media accounts, and outreach materials, enhancing visibility and engagement within the research community and beyond.

Other duties as assigned.

* Denotes Essential Function

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Studies, Educational Studies, Public Administration, Public Policy Economics or related field and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for educational administration; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of early childhood, education, public administration as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with early childhood, education and/or public administration.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
• If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including before and after normal working hours, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Ability to travel independently to various geographical locations in a timely manner. Requirement may be fulfilled by a valid Hawaii Driver's license (Class 3), comparable driver's license, or other means of transformation which meets position needs.

Desirable Qualifications

• Possession of a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, Human Development, Public Administration, or related field.
• Supervisory experience.
• Experience in published research-based articles.
• Knowledge of adult learning theory and strategies.
• Programmatic, fiscal, and personnel management at a post-secondary educational institution.
• Knowledge and/or experience with University of Hawaii (UH) and Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) financial and human resources systems, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and/or experience with web-based content management software, database management programs, and /or statistical analysis software.