OPS Research Assistant

University of Florida•In the State of Florida, FL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Books and Cooks program, a collaboration with the Lastinger Center for Learning’s New Worlds Reading Initiative, is focused on improving the literacy and nutrition security of Florida families. The program is responsible for recruiting and enrolling families, developing local partnerships, delivering an educational curriculum to enhance family literacy and nutrition security, and optimizing program quality through evaluation. This is a part-time, 20 hours per week, time-limited position that may be housed in local Extension offices or remote work locations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization.
Experience with family literacy, nutrition/food security, and parent-child education programming and/or evaluation.
Ability to contribute to a positive, productive team environment using leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work collaboratively and engage relevant partners and institutions.
Ability to form and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues throughout the state, as well as Extension colleagues and program partners.
Demonstrate a courteous and helpful manner, and a respect and appreciation for diversity in all its forms.
Ability to maintain working files and revisions of documents.
Proficient with Word, Excel, TEAMS and PowerPoint and able to quickly learn basics of new software.
Ability to maximize tools for productivity, communication, and organization.
A high degree of accuracy and timeliness in all work.
Demonstrate strong work ethic, dependability, and resourcefulness.
Ability to maintain complete and organized records.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

Assemble randomized controlled samples as part of a wait-list control research design.
Develop and maintain internal tracking systems to monitor and report on program objectives.
Maintain data integrity and implement quality assurance protocols through the research cycle.
Coordinate logistics for data collection activities, including scheduling and participant communication.
Oversee two annual rounds of data collection across pre-, post-, and three-month follow-up intervals using online survey platforms.
Submit and manage research applications with local school districts.
Develop and implement qualitative and quantitative instrumentation, including surveys, interviews guides, and focus group protocols to support process and outcome.
Develop research briefs and executive summaries to translate findings for partners, funders, and community stakeholders.
Translate findings to support program improvement.
Assist in the writing of abstracts and manuscripts.
Contribute to grant proposal development to support Books & Cooks programming.
Participate in weekly project meetings.
Support project sustainability and research dissemination.
Complete timely monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
Monitor team progress toward and fulfillment of specific contract or program goals.
Ensure integrity, quality and accuracy of programmatic records.
Other duties as assigned by the supervisor, PI, or Co-PIs, provided they are allowed by the rules of the grant.