Position Overview

The Early Childhood Program Observer (ECPO) will conduct on-site observations in licensed early care and education programs located in childcare centers, schools, Head Start sites, and family childcare homes using early childhood observational tools for the purpose of research, evaluation, program rating, or program improvement.  The ECPO will be trained to be a reliable observer using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) 2nd Edition.  There is a possibility that the ECPO will also be trained in one or more of the Environmental Rating Scales, and other age levels of the CLASS® observation tools, and other early childhood assessment tools as needed. The ECPO is expected to always maintain confidentiality and professional standards. This position requires the ECPO to travel to various early care and education program sites across the state of Minnesota using their own transportation. 

This is a 75% appointment (30 hours per week) position at the Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) in the Institute of Child Development, part of the College of Education and Human Development. The position will report to Kristina Erstad-Sankey. 

This position is based on campus. Travel is required. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager. 

Job Responsibilities

On-site observations (65%) 

• Conduct on-site observations in various early care and education programs based on the observational visit protocol designed specifically for each project.  
• Work with CEEDâ™s observational tool expert to establish and maintain required reliability.
• Enter data using internet-capable technology devices.
• Use video-recording equipment and work with interpreters when appropriate.
• Confirm observation visit schedule with early care and education providers. 
• Travel to early care and education programs. 

Administrative duties (30%) 

• Communicate with project coordinator on a daily to weekly basis to transmit data and reports, receive technical assistance, report any feedback from the observations.
• Handle any administrative tasks related to the observation. 
• Attend staff meetings as needed.

Training duties (5%)

• Train early childhood professionals on multiple assessment tools (e.g., Desired Results Developmental Profile, COR Advantage) and support other CEED trainers and trainings.
• Work in the Develop system to create and manage events.
• Work with the Early Childhood Program Quality team to update and create training opportunities.
• Train early childhood professionals on additional content (e.g., CLASS®, ERS, assessment).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelorâ™s degree in child development, early childhood education, child psychology, or a closely related field.
• One year experience in an early childhood education setting. 
• Ability to work respectfully with diverse communities.
• Ability to maintain data confidentiality.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and to other statewide locations to perform on-site observations.  
• Ability to move around and be in early childhood environments unobtrusively, independently and with agility
• Ability to conduct self in a professional manner; prompt, can complete duties in a timely and responsible manner; works well under pressure and can follow appropriate channels of response. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, primarily Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Comfortable using a tablet (i.e., iPad).

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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