Overview
Field Staff Jobs in Norcross, GA at Child Trends
General Description: Child Trends is looking for temporary staff to conduct classroom observations for data collection for a research study about quality in Georgia’s early childhood and out-of-school time classrooms. Field staff would also support administrative tasks such as calling childcare providers to encourage them to participate and schedule program observations, keeping track of recruitment and scheduling, and entering data. The positions will start in July 2025 and last through June 2026. However, the start date may be flexible depending on your previous CLASS training in the past 6 months. Furthermore, this employment opportunity is contingent upon securing specific project work through Georgia’s DECAL team.
Position Summary: We anticipate hiring up to 10 field staff to conduct observations in early childhood and out-of-school time classrooms across the state of Georgia.
The hourly rate for this position is $26.00 per hour. The position is temporary, with weekly hours expected to range from 20 to 40 hours based on the activities of the research project and your availability. During the training and reliability period, hours may be less consistent and fewer than during the data collection phase. When consistently working over 20 hours a week, you will be eligible for all benefits prorated by hours worked including insurance, paid leave, etc. We are open to various schedules depending on experience and availability. Mileage for visiting childcare programs will be reimbursed at the federal rate of $0.70 per mile; for remote programs lodging and per diem will also be provided.
Field staff who are not yet certified on CLASS Pre-K will be expected to complete paid training on the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) Pre-K and Infant/Toddler observation tools. Training includes passing CLASS observation reliability tests.
CLASS Pre-K: Online training, estimated at 30 hours, will start in mid-July 2025. Additional hours will be needed for certification.
CLASS Infant/Toddler: Online training will occur in August 2025, estimated at 37 hours, plus certification hours.
Additional training on study procedures, research ethics, and data security will also take place in August 2025.
Then field staff will also be required to travel to Atlanta for a few days in September 2025 to practice observations. Field staff will conduct classroom observations from September 2025 through June 2026. All travel costs, including mileage, will be reimbursed. All training will be paid.
Field staff who are certified in the CLASS Pre-K will be expected to complete additional training on the CLASS Infant/Toddler observation tool, starting in mid to late August 2025. Online training and certification for CLASS Toddler will occur in late August 2025, with an estimation of 27 hours plus additional hours for the certification.
Field staff in this category will still be required to travel to Atlanta for a few days in September 2025 to practice CLASS observations. Field staff will conduct classroom observations from September 2025 through June 2026. All travel costs, including mileage, will be reimbursed. All training will be paid.
Location: Observations will take place throughout the state of Georgia, but scheduling and administrative tasks can be conducted remotely. Some overnight travel may be required.
Typical Responsibilities and Duties:
Complete classroom observation tool (e.g., CLASS, PQA) trainings and pass the reliability tests (virtual).
Attend an in-person training for several days in September 2025 in Atlanta.
Call childcare programs (selected by Child Trends) to solicit their participation in the study, following a script provided.
Track recruitment outreach and data into an online system.
Schedule on-site observations at child care programs.
Conduct observations on-site in child care program classrooms using standardized observation tools (e.g., CLASS and PQA).
Enter collected data into an online data entry system, review and ensure accuracy.
Participate in a weekly video call meeting one afternoon each week.
Maintain confidentiality and professional standards at all times.
Required Qualifications:
Excellent communication skills: ability to engage, speak clearly, effectively manage the conversation, and maintain a polite and positive tone with strangers to encourage their participation in the study.
Candidates must have flexible availability and be able to start work as early as 7:00 am during the months of September 2025 – May 2026.
Some overnight travel may be required to conduct observations in remote locations; lodging, per diem and mileage will be compensated.
Reliable transportation to and from sites is required.
Must have a smart phone that can be used for tracking outreach and making phone calls.
If hired, field staff will be required to pass the Georgia Crime Information Center’s (GCIC) background check.
If hired, field staff will be required to pass an online training about conducting research projects that adhere to ethical standards and principles, as well as data security.
Desired Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Early Childhood Education, Education, Psychology, Social Work or another related field is preferred. (A student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in one of these areas is also encouraged to apply. Or an applicant with early childhood classroom or program experience without a degree is also encouraged to apply.)
Prior experience working with young children, such as in a childcare center, is preferred.
Priority will be given to those who have collected CLASS data in the past 2 years.
Spanish language skills are strongly desired.
Benefits:
For all full-time and part-time employees who work a minimum of 20 hours per week, we offer generous vacation + sick leave + paid holidays; optional individual/domestic partner/family medical, dental and vision benefits effective first day of employment; optional pet benefits; pre-tax reimbursement funds (FSA, HSA, Commuter); life insurance; short/long term disability, basic life and AD&D coverage paid for by Child Trends; paid family leave; paid bereavement leave; professional development and tuition reimbursement allowance; and 403(b) retirement plan with immediate vesting and Child Trends contributions after 1 year of employment. To learn more, go to https://www.childtrends.org/about-us/careers and click ” Benefits.”
Background Investigation:
Jobs that involve interactions with children and positions that rely on high levels of trust to perform duties are subject to a background check at the time of hire. Employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. We will always conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check and never inquire into an applicant’s criminal history until interviews have been conducted and offer decisions are being made. Current employees may also be subject to future background checks depending on the nature of their duties. A criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate or current employee from employment, however any convictions related to the responsibilities and requirements of the position may do so.
How to Apply:
Please follow the “apply” link to submit your application. When asked by the system to upload resume, please upload one document that includes your resume, cover letter, and three professional references. In the cover letter, please explain your experience working with children, research study recruitment, and conducting data collection or observations in early childhood programs. If you have recently conducted CLASS observations for another project or team, please describe that work in your cover letter. Please also describe your availability from July/August 2025 through June 2026, number of hours per week available, specific days/hours you are not available, and availability for overnight travel. If you experience technical difficulties with this process applications can be sent to Child Trends HR: [email protected]. All applications must be received by May 16th to be considered. No phone calls please!
Child Trends is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center headquartered in Rockville, MD with more than 200 staff in over 28 states that provides valuable information and insights on the well-being of children, youth, and their families. For more than 40 years, policymakers, funders, educators, and service providers in the U.S. have relied on our data and analyses to make better decisions and policies on programs serving children, families, and youth. www.childtrends.org
Child Trends is committed to hiring, retaining, and promoting staff who bring a rich diversity of experience to support our mission of improving the lives and prospects of children and youth, especially those made most vulnerable by the effects of historical and ongoing systemic discrimination. Together, we envision a world in which a child’s race, ethnicity, family income, gender, sexual orientation, disability status or any other social identity does not determine how that child will fare in life. Therefore, we approach every aspect of our work with these ideals in mind and encourage professionals who share in our commitment to apply.
Child Trends is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Title: Field Staff
Company: Child Trends
Location: Norcross, GA
