Data Collection Specialist, High School Longitudinal Study at RTI Research Triangle Institute in Lincoln, Nebraska

Job Description:

RTI International is seeking Data Collection Specialists. This telecommuting position is expected to perform recruitment, interviewing, customer service, and data collection activities related to key contacts with state educational agencies, public and private K-12 schools and public-school districts, Catholic Dioceses and virtual schools in the United States. This position will also include writing and submitting district research applications to districts that require a formal research proposal.

Responsibilities of Data Collection Specialists on the High School Longitudinal Study of 2022 (HS&B:22) include:

* Contact state leadership staff to obtain letters of support for HS&B:22 and request support for the upcoming study to their district superintendents. Encourage states to use their social media to communicate study details and build awareness of HS&B:22 to their districts and schools.

* Serve as a member of the research application writing team and compose research applications for districts that require an application as part of the recruitment process. This task will require attention to detail and technical writing expertise. Once the applications are drafted, they will be submitted and followed up with until approved.

* Contact by telephone and email education personnel at the state, district and school level; including, district superintendents, school principals/administrators for the purpose of gaining study participation and obtaining data collection logistics for schools participating in the study.

* Fully explain the study and what is required of schools for participation in the study.

* Document all communication with states/districts/schools and project staff in the School Contacting System (SCS).

* Document district/school participation SCS.

* Conduct refusal conversion efforts via phone and email to convert districts and schools who may refuse to participate in the study.

* Communicate with the school's School Coordinator or other designated staff to obtain data collection logistics necessary for the school's participation in the study.

* Provide Help Desk services for accessing HS&B:22 website and the upload of requested student, parent, and teacher data.

* Documenting Logistics in the SCS. Logistics include:

o confirming school eligibility

o obtaining school coordinator name

o obtaining student rosters for grade 9 students, including parent and teacher information

o identifying respondents for school principal, counselor and teacher surveys

o confirming date for student data collection

o confirming location for student data collection

o confirming parental consent type

o documenting incentives allowed at school and survey respondent levels

* Attend weekly Quality Control meetings (QC) with the recruitment team via Zoom

* Potential to conduct in person school visits depending on local visitor policies

* When working in the field, must be willing to agree to any COVID-19-related protocols put in place by RTI.These could include, among others, wearing face coverings or respiratory protection, gloves, taking temperatures daily, social distancing with survey respondents, and/or completing a health pledge. All safety supplies required for use on the project will be provided by RTI.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

* Candidates should have solid computer skills, problem solving ability, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

* Candidates must be detail-oriented, think "outside the box," and follow procedures/guidelines successfully while performing tasks.

* College degree required plus experience working in a research position.

* All candidates are subject to criminal background check.

* All candidates must agree to or have completed the U.S. Government E-Qip Security process.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

* Effective business-to-business telephone and etiquette skills

* Ability to establish and maintain working relationships

* Effective interpersonal and verbal communication skills, above average vocal presentation, problem-solving abilities, and data management skills

* Experience with electronic contacting systems

* Ability to verbally interact comfortably with a variety of people, school staff in particular

* Ability to work comfortably on a computer and perform data entry tasks

* Ability to navigate school/district websites

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach-one that integrates expertise across the social and laboratory sciences, engineering, and international development. We believe in the promise of science, and we are inspired every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses around the world. For more information, visit www.rti.org.

Physical and mental demands of this role include those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, as outlined above. Examples include: operating a computer, a phone, and other office machinery; thinking, learning, and concentrating effectively and frequently communicating with other people, both within RTI and outside of RTI; frequently moving about inside; ability to handle the stress associated in meeting frequent, multiple and tight deadlines; ability to work a varied schedule, including evening and weekend hours based on project needs; consistent demonstration of mental stability and ability to have regular, reliable and predictable attendance; ability to move and setup project furniture, supplies and equipment such as chairs, folding tables, boxes of materials, printers/copiers and computers.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, per RTI procedure 4.2.1.

For USA Job Postings Only: RTI participates in the US Government E-Verify program. Further information regarding the E-Verify program and laws that are designed to protect you against discrimination relating to your legal right to work in the US can be found at https://www.rti.org/jobs.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Further information is availablehere.