Job DescriptionWestat is currently seeking motivated individuals to work as team leaders on an important study providing comprehensive data about children's learning and development, transition into kindergarten, and progress through elementary school. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2023-24 (ECLS-K:2024) is an important study providing comprehensive data about children's learning and development, transition into kindergarten, and progress through elementary school.The primary duties of the ECLS-K:2024 Team Leader are to serve as the point of contact for participating schools in an assignment, lead a team of assessors, and oversee the data collection activities for assigned schools. The team leader will also conduct in-person child assessments at schools or at a participant's home, as well as telephone or in-person parent interviews. Westat has a long-standing policy of protecting the health of our staff and the general public. Based on recommendations from the CDC and other public health authorities, we continue to require staff to protect and monitor their health while working on their assignments. The use of personal protective equipment or screening activities may be required, depending upon the specific study's protocols, subject to approved accommodations under applicable law.Basic Qualifications Candidates must
- Be 18 years old or older (or be an emancipated minor) with the ability to enter binding confidentiality agreements to protect project information.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be available to complete web-based home study parent interview training between February 24 and the assigned virtual training session. The remaining web-based home study must be completed prior to attending in-person training.
- Be available to attend a mandatory in-person out-of-town training in Birmingham, Alabama from March 11 to 15, 2025 (with travel dates on March 10 and 16).
Minimum Requirements
- Live in a geographic work area defined by the project.
- Be available to work for the specified data collection period from March 17 to June 29, 2025.
- Be available to work at least 25-30 hours per week, including evening and weekend hours, when work is available.
- Be willing to travel locally for project work .
- Be able to meet the physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodations, including
- Lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds (laptop computer and assessment materials) in and out of your home, vehicle, and schools;
- Walking several blocks; and
- Climbing a flight of stairs while carrying equipment.
- *Have a current and valid driver's license that is not under suspension.
- *Have consistent access to a fully insured, reliable vehicle.
- Have basic computer skills (be able to access the internet, use the keyboard, send/receive email).
- Be able to use a laptop computer and establish Wi-Fi connections in various locations.
- Have attention to detail (e.g., using correct school IDs, recording school information accurately) and good organization skills (e.g., maintaining school information and schedules).
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
* The vehicle and license requirements may be waived for specific locations if the project has determined that adequate transportation alternatives are available.Preferred Criteria
- Applicants' bilingual in English and Spanish are encouraged to apply.
- Have a bachelor's degree in education.
- Have strong reading, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Have prior experience as a field manager, team leader, troubleshooter, school recruiter, assessor or interviewer on the ECLS-K:2011, ECLS-K:2024 FT, or ECLS-K:2024.
- Have education-related work experience.
- Have experience collecting data in a standardized manner.
- Have experience working with children and/or in a school setting.
- Have experience conducting assessments in schools.
- Be willing to adapt to changes in school schedules and requirements.
- Be a team player.
Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history.This is a part-time, variable hour, non-exempt position. This position is eligible for overtime pay. This position is not initially eligible for health insurance or a health savings account (HSA). To be eligible for health insurance and an HSA, you must work 1,560 hours from September through September of the following year with coverage beginning January 1 of the year after eligibility requirement is satisfied. All field positions accrue sick leave based on the number of hours worked and are eligible to participate in the 401(k) program (employer matching is dependent on the number of hours worked, and disbursement is subject to program rules). This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of seven days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be eligible for consideration for reassignment on other Westat field data collection projects if they become available.Working on this study can be a fascinating, rewarding experience. If you are a reliable self-starter, this position may be right for you. Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.