Communication and Outreach Specialist

Description

This position is full-time salaried for 40 hours a week (1.0 FTE).

The Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL) in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia seeks up to two full-time Communication and Outreach Specialists for the Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program (VKRP). 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. In person required with flexibility for remote work.

Role and Responsibilities

The VKRP Communication and Outreach Specialist will provide support to VKRP teachers and administrators by providing excellent customer service and hotline support (phone, chat and email), developing and sending training materials and implementing in-person and remote trainings. More specifically, the incumbent with work with senior team members to provide support in the following two areas:

VKRP User Support and Technical Assistance

Provide technically accurate and actionable information to support to a diverse group of VKRP users, including teachers, principals, and administrators of VKRP in school divisions, through the VKRP hotline (online chat, phone, and email) support program

Collect data on user Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Report technical issues encountered by users
Assist teachers, schools, and school divisions in understanding how to interpret VKRP data and use it improve instruction

VKRP Training and Preparation

Develop and provide informational materials, training (online and in-person), and assistance to users of the VKRP system with very high attention to detail
Assist in testing added features and the management of online users and assessments on the VKRP web application system
Coordinate the distribution of assessment materials to support teachers and other users of VKRP
Coordinate multiple simultaneous tasks of varying complexity, with demonstrated accountability, and excellent attention to detail while implementing flexible problem-solving skills

In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

A Bachelor’s Degree
At least 3 years of relevant experience. Master’s degree will be considered in lieu of experience.

Preferred

Significant preference will be given to those candidates who meet some or all preferred qualifications. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter detailing how their experience and qualifications align with the following:

Prior customer support critical, including excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Efficient trouble-shooting processes and procedures
Demonstrates expertise, experience, and commitment to diversity, equity, and access
Excellent executive function skills: organization, time management, shifting focus (multitasking; alternating focus on details and ‘the big picture’ as needed)
Proficiency in use of technology:
Microsoft Office applications
Videoconferencing, teaching, or webinar tools (e.g., Zoom, Canvas, Teams)
Virtual platforms or storage (e.g., Google Docs, Box, Trello, OneDrive)
Familiarity with hotline support platforms (e.g. Zendesk)

Knowledge of Virginia’s early childhood education programming (e.g., VPI, ECSE, Title 1, Head Start, Mixed Delivery grants)
Experience as a technology support specialist or customer support in an educational organization
Experience developing professional development or other resources for teachers and/or families
Experience with coaching, consulting, technical assistance, and/or training adult educators and leaders in individual and group settings

Anticipated Compensation: ~$52,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications, with UVA benefits.

As part of the interview process, please be prepared to discuss the following topics: your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, team collaboration as well as the preferred qualifications listed above.

Application Instructions:

Please apply through Workday by searching for “Communications and Outreach Specialist, School of Education and Human Development” and complete an application online and attach the following all into the resume submission field, preferably as one document:

CV or resume
Cover Letter
Optional: DEI statement describing your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in your work

Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile.

For questions about and assistance with the application process, please contact Margaret Weeks, Academic Recruiter. For questions about the position, please contact Jenifer Davis, VKRP Project Associate. Applicant review will begin immediately. We will accept applications on a rolling basis and the position(s) will remain open until filled.

This is an Exempt level, benefited position. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. This restricted position is a 12-month appointment, continuation is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and 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; and
Promoting a culture of integrity, mutual respect, excellence, collaboration, and innovation

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

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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.