Job location: Charlottesville, VA

The Preschool Development Grant Birth-5 (PDG B-5) and Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Project (VKRP) within the UVA School of Education and Human Development seek a Data Visualization Specialist for Early Childhood Systems at the Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL). This position (remote-only available) will assist in analysis and reporting needs as well as using data for systems improvements to help our team offer high-quality and equitable birth-to-five experiences for children across Virginia.

The PDG B-5 project is a state-level effort aimed at improving quality and access for Virginia’s youngest learners. A large part of this work at UVA involves coordinating the design and implementation of the LinkB5 data portal as part of facilitating broader project goals centered around displaying and communicating data to various stakeholders. The ideal candidate has a connection to the mission of improving early childcare and education for all children, and especially those in historically underrepresented and underserved communities.

VKRP is a partnership between the University of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Education, and school divisions across the Commonwealth. VKRP partners with the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) to provide a comprehensive picture of students’ skills at the beginning and end of both pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. VKRP uses a web-based assessment and reporting system, which provides critical data about young children’s school readiness skills in the areas of literacy, math, social skills, and self-regulation.

Job Description
Data Collection, Management & Analysis

• Clean datasets in preparation for analysis, independently or with a small team
• Data analysis: Independently conduct data analyses for both quantitative and qualitative data. Typically these will involve basic statistical methods to describe, analyze, and interpret data.
• Maintain existing data organizational system and create detailed data documentation
• Maintain the integrity/security of the data
• Coordinate data distribution, data management and analysis efforts with other staff in LinkB5, VKRP and across other ECE projects as needed
• Serve as point person between the PDG and VKRP teams and other internal teams to help coordinate data sharing

Data Reporting

• Write and edit reports, including (bi-)annual reports to the VDOE and General Assembly
• Write internal reports (monthly) to summarize work progress and inform ongoing continuous improvement
• Synthesize data analysis by creating graphs, charts, and tables and written summaries of results in ways that can be easily and quickly grasped by our ECE teams and stakeholders, including the VDOE and General Assembly.
• Manage the development of content for reports and presentations.
• Assist in the presentation of data, as needed, to the VDOE and other partners

Data Use for Continuous Improvement: Develop & Continuously Improve Data Systems/tools

• Collect, understand, and use data to recommend and make process/systems improvements for daily operating procedures and to improve the efficiency and outcomes of PDG and VKRP
• Improve existing data and reporting systems (e.g. tracking sheets on Google forms, ZenDesk reporting) and develop other data systems/tools as needed to support the understanding of users’ engagement with the data system
• Develop reports, data systems/tools, and protocols that can be disseminated to early childhood leaders around Virginia (e.g. Excel workbooks and other tools to help with data use, promoting data literacy, etc.)
• Coordinate data systems with other staff across PDG/VKRP and other ECE projects ( and external partners like VECF and VDOE) as needed to promote consistency and efficiencies (e.g., using consistent identifiers)
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications
Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in education, psychology, or related field (e.g., computer science, data science, economics)
• At least 4 years of relevant work experience (e.g., database management, data analysis, data reporting, use of data for continuous improvement)
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Strong collaboration skills (a “team player” who seeks and uses feedback, considers and synthesizes diverse viewpoints)
• Proficiency in use of technology:
• Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Google applications (Forms, Docs, Sheets)
• Videoconferencing tools (e.g., Zoom)
• Virtual platforms or storage (e.g., Google Docs, Box)
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, often working under accelerated deadlines
• Ability to quickly learn new processes and software, including reporting software

Preferred:

• Master’s degree
• Experience with Using R-Markdown (or other reporting technology) to efficiently create analytic reports for stakeholders and internal teams
• Experience with Tableau and/or SQL Server Reporting Services
• Expertise with coding/programming of Excel workbooks
• Knowledge of Virginia’s early childhood education programming (e.g., VPI, ECSE, Title 1, Head Start, center-based care and family day homes)
• Commitment to diversity and equity (e.g., demonstrated through scholarship and/or service to historically underrepresented and underserved communities)
  

Anticipated Compensation: $50,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications, with UVA benefits.

Application Instructions:

Please apply through Workday by searching for " Data Visualization Specialist for Early Childhood Systems" and complete an application, including:

• A CV/resume
• A cover letter
• a 500 word or less statement speaking to how you address diversity, Equity, and inclusion in your work.

All documents can be loaded into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile.

For questions about and assistance with the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks,. This position is available remotely and starting immediately. This is a restricted position and continuation beyond a year is dependent upon the availability of funding and satisfactory performance. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

In alignment with President Ryan’s UVA’s strategic plan, CASTL is committed to:

• Recruiting talented and diverse doctoral students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty and staff.
• Recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce and providing an inclusive and supportive environment in which staff and faculty are recognized as integral to the success of our work.
• Promoting a culture of integrity, mutual respect, excellence, collaboration and innovation.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.