POSITION SUMMARY

Decision Information Resources (DIR), a subcontractor to American Institutes for Research (AIR), is seeking self-motivated, outgoing bilingual individuals to assist in collecting interview and assessment data as part of the Birth through Eight Strategy of Tulsa (BEST Study). We are looking for field interviewers/assessors to conduct home visits with families enrolled in the study and collect data. Family visits will be conducted in-person, when possible, in accordance with public health guidelines for COVID-19. Each visit will include a parent interview, child assessment, and observations of parent-child interactions. Visits and interviews with families may happen over the phone and/or using video conferencing technology.

BEST is a community-based initiative in Tulsa, Oklahoma that provides coordinated supports and services in the earliest years of children’s lives to help make Tulsa a good place for all children and families to live, grow and thrive. The study will occur over a six-year period to understand the impact and the experiences of families with children ages birth to age eight years, as the BEST initiative is implemented.

Successful candidates will be required to attend training in late January 2023 with a paid week-long training in Tulsa, OK. The work is expected to begin after training in late January 2023. Applicants are required to pass certification to demonstrate proficiency in using the data collection protocols and procedures.

POSITION TYPE

This position is part-time and must be conducted in person.

• Candidate will work an average of 15-20 hours per week, after training, depending on the number of families assigned.
• Strong preference for staff who can commit to at least one year of work on the project.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

You will be responsible for conducting in-person visits with parents and children, which will include scheduling, building rapport, parent interviews, child assessments, and parent-child observations.

• Participate in training to conduct parent interviews, child assessments, and observations in accordance with study data collection protocols.
• Schedule visits with assigned cases and track progress.
• Conduct in-person visits with families, collecting data through interviews, assessments, and observations using Web-based instruments.
• Submit all data to the study team following study guidelines and procedures.
• Regularly communicate to study managers about assigned family cases and progress, and participate in regular team meetings.
• Accurately keep records, paperwork, visit records, and timecards.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Previous field research experience, with preference for skills related to interviewing, assessing children, and conducting observations. Multi-cultural/anti-bias/inclusive research experience is also highly desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: ability to build trust and rapport with family members and research team; strong emotional intelligence.
• Superior verbal communication, listening and writing skills that are detailed oriented, with the ability to articulate clearly and concisely in communications in-person as well as over email, Zoom, and telephone.
• Flexible, multi-tasking, and team-oriented working approach due to the changing nature of the work and engaging families and children.
• Ability to handle unexpected or difficult situations with a professional demeanor, with a problem-solving orientation.
• Ability to work effectively and with high-quality outputs both independently and within a team.
• Strong computer proficiency; ability to learn new software.
• Strong and reliable internet access for working remotely.
• Culturally aware and able to work in different family situations and settings; ability to work with diverse families in a culturally responsive manner, with respect and openness.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English and Spanish.
• Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, social work, or related fields with course work in research methods. Graduate-level degree or experience working on field research projects, particularly related to interviewing, assessing, and observing human subjects preferred.
• A minimum of 1 year of related work experience with parents and children, such as conducting social science or health research, working in community health education, K-12 education, or similar.
• Ability to attend training and successfully pass study certification.
• Ability to successfully pass required background checks.