The Positive Early Learning Experiences Center (PELE Center) at the University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education, is seeking to hire a Research Associate Professor. This position is a 12-month appointment contingent on grant/contract funding with the potential for extension dependent on grant funding. The PELE Center has the overall mission of improving the lives of young children with disabilities by extending their access to evidence-based instructional practices, inclusive settings, high quality professionals and competent and confident caregivers.

Position Summary

The Research Associate Professor will work in concert with all PELE faculty and staff to:

• Supervise six M.A. level staff from the PELE Center across the two multi-site grants, the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center and the National Center on Pyramid Model Innovations (total grant awards of $31,000,000);
• Facilitate cross-agency state leadership teams;
• Conduct trainings nationwide and internationally on Pyramid Model;
• Publish professional papers in peer-reviewed journals;
• Present on Pyramid Model at national conferences;
• Collaborate with professional organizations in the field to help adopt Pyramid as a standard of practice;
• Write grant applications to fund supplemental work on above-referenced subcontracts;
• Liaison with key legislative and executive groups such as the National Council of State Legislatures and the National Governors Association to embed Pyramid into legislation.

Essential Functions

• Develop and secure funding to supplement work on these technical assistance subcontracts.
• Coordinate PELE Center efforts with six doctoral level and 15 MA level staff across three other universities.
• Coordinate and monitor spending across both projects.
• Conduct multiple national webinars.
• Present findings at multiple national conferences each year.
• Supervise doctoral and post-doctoral trainees across both projects.
• Participate on the Leadership Team of NCPMI.
• Publish multiple articles each year in peer-reviewed journals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proven experience coordinating large, multi-site federal projects.
• Proven experience leading other doctoral level personnel to successfully meet grant requirements.
• Proven experience planning and leading engaging virtual meetings and training events, across multiple platforms and learning management systems, using principles of adult learning.
• Documented history creating meaningful working relationships across diverse programs, agencies, and professional organizations.
• Experience creating needs assessments, readiness materials, and observation guidance for programs participating in professional development and technical assistance.
• Committed to using data to drive decisions, including evaluation of training and technical assistance efforts through plan-do-study-act cycles.
• Strong understanding of current PELE projects, including Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Young Children, Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Families, LEAP, Inclusion practices in early childhood, the Division of Early Childhood Recommended Practices, and the Instructionally-Enhanced Pyramid Model.
• Experience coaching behavior specialists to create, implement and monitor team-based behavior support plans.
• Understanding and facilitation of trauma-informed practices in early childhood, including experience bridging educational and mental health frameworks in training and coaching early childhood staff.
• Passion for innovating new resources, systems, and supports for early childhood programs, staff and families.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational habits, and professional conduct.

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in early childhood related field.
• Minimum 7 years experience with Pyramid model.
• Past leadership position(s) on multisite grants.
• Past teaching experience at University level.
• Past administrative experience with preschoolers with disabilities.
• Evidence of continuing publications.
• Evidence of acquiring competitive grant support as Principal Investigator.
• Evidence of national visibility such as editorial board memberships or presenting keynote addresses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate training and clinical experience as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
• Experience using implementation science principles to develop innovative services.
• Prior experience on either NCPMI or ECTA projects.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions often occur, and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) December 27, 2022.

This position will commence on 02/01/2023. Interested candidates must apply online through https://du.edu/jobs/ for consideration. Only applications submitted online will be accepted. Once within the job description online, please click Apply Now to begin application. Questions regarding the application or recruitment process may be directed to MCE.HumanResources@du.edu. For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) on Jan. 15, 2023.

Salary Grade Number

The salary grade for the position is UC. 

Salary Range

The salary range for this position is $55,000-$60,000

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.  Learn more about the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university's complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non‑discrimination‑statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.