Position Overview

The Center for Early Education and Development (CEED) within the Institute of Child Development is seeking a curriculum developer with knowledge in the areas of early childhood special education, early childhood leadership, early childhood professional development, infant and childhood mental health, reflective practice, or a related topic. This individual will serve as the lead manager of professional development projects and work closely with other CEED staff on the creation, development, and dissemination of high-quality, online and in-person professional development tools. This individual will work across several different projects that include research, evaluation, and professional development. This individual may supervise other administrative staff and support staff.

CEED serves as an intellectual home for high-quality, cutting-edge research in reflective practice, research-to-practice on multiple early childhood related topics, professional development and program quality for early childhood professionals, workforce issues in early childhood, and evaluation of early childhood programming. CEED disseminates knowledge, helps professionals incorporate evidence-based into their work, and informs policy dealing with early childhood issues. Competitive applicants will have a track record of creating high-quality, useful, and relevant professional development products; demonstrated knowledge of relationship-based professional development; experience conducting basic program evaluation projects including data collection, analysis, and dissemination; demonstrated ability to manage projects from beginning to end. This position will report to Ann Bailey, Director, Center for Early Education and Development.

The individual in this position works under an annually renewable contract contingent upon performance and available funding.

The University of Minnesota is a national leader in research, education, and outreach. This position would add to that mission by being a part of the research-to-practice arm of the number one developmental psychology program in the nation. As a collaborator with local, state, and national organizations (e.g., NAEYC, DEC, State Departments, the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health, school districts, Head Start, etc.), CEED has gained national and international prominence for its ground-breaking work in research in reflective supervision/consultation and its high-quality professional development. The individual in this role will join a vibrant team working in a critical and expanding area of research-to-practice. This role is classified under Professional and Administrative at the UMN, which provides excellent benefits and opportunities to partner with internal and external early childhood faculty, researchers, and organizations.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a  flexible work environment  that  meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work  arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. All UMN employees are  expected to follow applicable public health and safety procedures.

Job Responsibilities

Curriculum Development Lead (75%):

• Create and disseminate online and in-person learning opportunities for adult learners
• Oversee the delivery of project-specific online professional development, including developing curricula, providing technology support, marketing, and collaborating with the team to implement project deliverables
• Coordinate with external partners to recruit and enroll participants, track budget information related to professional development opportunities, and market CEED’s offerings
• Review existing professional development for quality, usefulness, relevance, and updating the evidence-based information
• Collaborate with team members to create new professional development opportunities
• Research recommended practices in online instruction/professional development
• Attend professional conferences, colloquia, and symposia
• Keep current in the field of early childhood special education, early childhood leadership, or early childhood professional development, or a related field

Research Development and Management (25%):

• Collaborate with team members to collect, analyze, and report program evaluation data
• Contribute to the mission of professional advocacy, policy making, and outreach activities that support CEED’s mission
• Participate in meetings to generate new ideas to meet future project goals
• Design, implement and manage projects, including the management of project activities independently, the development and management of work plans, timelines, budgets, and resources to meet project goals.
• Initiate collaborative work with community partners, representing all Minnesotans, especially those from typically marginalized communities.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Candidates must possess a master’s degree in child psychology, early childhood education, early childhood special education, social work, human development, psychology or a closely related field and a minimum of four years of relevant experience or a BA/BS degree with a minimum of six years of relevant experience.
• Experience with adult learning, coaching, and relationship-based professional development
• Evidence of success in leading a team of people to meet project objectives and deliverables; a strong administrative background; and the ability to manage project timelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• A doctoral degree in early childhood special education, early childhood education, child psychology, social work, human development, psychology, or closely related field
• Direct practice/work experience with infants, young children, and families
• Training in early childhood special education, early childhood leadership, or early childhood professional development
• Demonstrated leadership experience on large-scale projects
• Demonstrated skills in interpersonal communication, administrative leadership, project management, supervision, and team building
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in working with community partners, such as child care programs, non-profit organizations that serve diverse families with young children, local schools, state and local health, human service and education agencies, and other community-based organizations supporting families at risk
• Demonstrated success in working in collaborative, multi-disciplinary environments
• Experience with grant writing

About University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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