Coordinator, Data Science, New Worlds Reading

Classification Title:

Application Database Admin II

Job Description:

The Lastinger Center for Learning is an education innovation hub within UF’s College of Education focused on creating equitable education systems that improve teaching and learning across early childhood and K-12 education. Specifically, the Center targets kindergarten readiness, 3rd grade reading proficiency, and algebra proficiency as critical milestones in children’s educational trajectory that are predictive of success in school and life. The Center works at the nexus of research, practice, and policy to develop sustainable systems that leverage educational technologies and improve the implementation of research-based practices. Housed in one of the nation’s elite public research universities, the Center operates as a dynamic, entrepreneurial workplace focused on executing against UF’s service mission to strengthen the human condition and improve the quality of life.

New Worlds Reading Initiative

In 2021, the Florida Legislature created the New Worlds Reading Initiative, Florida’s first statewide book distribution program, to provide at-home literacy supports for students reading below grade level. Under the initiative, a high-quality, hardcopy book is delivered monthly to eligible students. Their parents are provided resources to help improve their student’s reading skills and instill a love of reading. The Department of Education has designated the Lastinger Center as the Administrator for the program, responsible for fulfilling all the requirements of the initiative.

The bill establishes responsibilities for the state-level Administrator to include:

• Developing, in conjunction with the Just Read, Florida! Office, a selection of books from a variety of genres and covering a range of topics, appropriate for each grade level;
• Facilitating book distribution directly or through an agreement with a book distribution company;
• Developing and distributing marketing materials to help school districts and local partners raise awareness of the initiative;
• Helping school districts identify potential nonprofit partners by maintaining a list of national, state and local organizations that have experience supporting efforts to distribute books to children
• Developing training materials, including video and text resources, to assist families as they engage in reading and improve literacy skills
• Periodically distributing to participating families helpful tips and hyperlinks to video modules via text messaging and email.

Data Programming

• Collaborates with vendors and internal teams on the design and functionality of the data systems
• Plays a role in programming software for the development and design of databases and data warehouses/lakes where collected data are analyzed and prepared for reports.
• Plays a role in the development of an overall data architecture that supports the information needs of the initiative in a flexible but secure environment.

Data Coordination

• Creates actionable high-value analysis and reporting priorities using available data in collaboration with New World’s Reading Initiative teams in alignment with deliverables.
• Analyzes data requirements, application and processing architectures, data dictionaries, and database schema(s), and then designs, develops, amends, optimizes, and certifies database schema design to meet system(s) requirements.
• Gathers, analyzes, and normalizes relevant information related to, and from business processes, functions, and operations to evaluate data credibility and determine relevance and meaning.
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing database policies and procedures to ensure the integrity and availability of databases and their = accompanying software.

Other Duties as Assigned

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The mission of the Lastinger Center for Learning is to create equitable educational systems where every child and educator, regardless of circumstances, experiences high-quality learning every day to support children’s achievement of critical milestones that are predictive of success in school and life. In order to achieve this mission, the Lastinger Center is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a dynamic and diverse team.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in also aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits and training.

Expected Salary:

$60,000 – $75,000

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's degree and three years of appropriate experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with data-intensive technologies and practices.
• Knowledge of SAS, R, Python, and SQL, or data visualization software.
• Understanding of compliance relating to disclosure laws, regulations and other requirements.
• Ability to communicate clearly in multiple venues and formats with non-technical audiences.
• Expertise in large-scale data
• Experience with data infrastructure and data visualization
• Interest in transforming education through the application of data science
• Commitment to the responsible use of data for the benefit of society
• Proactive, precise, and persistent
• Organization and planning skills to ensure timely follow through

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Relocation allowance is negotiable.

This is a time-limited position.

This position has been reposted. Previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply.

Health Assessment Required: No