Technical Assistance Specialist

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute ( FPG) is one of the nation's oldest and largest multidisciplinary centers devoted to the study of children and their families. As one of the nation's leading child development research centers, we generate scientific evidence, inform policies, and support practices to promote positive developmental and educational outcomes for children of all backgrounds and abilities from infancy to adolescence.

FPG has a particular focus on the study of vulnerable populations and those who have special needs. In addition, FPG is committed to creating a place where everyone is welcome, supported, and has the resources they need to grow and thrive regardless of identity, origin, or difference in circumstances as well as engaging in work that addresses critical issues related to educational inequality and barriers to inclusion that impact children's wellbeing. Approximately 280 researchers, implementation and technical assistance specialists, staff, and students work on more than 75 projects related to developmental disabilities; physical, social, and emotional health; early care and education; early intervention and special education, prevention science, and more to address important issues facing all children and families. Our work spans across disciplines from education and psychology to social work and public health.

We collaborate with researchers across campus and throughout the nation. At FPG, transdisciplinary collaboration is a way to leverage collective expertise for comprehensive and relevant research and outreach, and is embodied in our motto: Advancing knowledge to transform children's lives.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

The Technical Assistance Specialist contributes to the provision of programmatic support on funded implementation science project(s) at the Frank Porter Graham ( FPG) Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill. As a member of dedicated project teams, the Technical Assistance Specialist:
(1) provides programmatic support to community and statewide partners for the delivery of early elementary literacy instruction, student enrichment programs, and family engagement in rural settings across North Carolina;
(2) provides programmatic support to community and statewide partners for the implementation of the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program system of interventions and delivery of individual Triple P interventions in community-based settings across North Carolina;
(3) assists with the development of programmatic learning and application resources and measures that may be useful to community and state partners or to other team members providing support;
and (4) contributes to data monitoring, evaluation, and improvement activities.

The position will also become a member of The Impact Center at FPG (http://impact.fpg.unc.edu). The mission of The Impact Center at FPG is to catalyze social impact through effective implementation practice, primarily by building capacity in systems and communities to scale effective child-, family-, or community-support strategies for population-level or system-wide benefits. The Impact Center at FPG is a workgroup at FPG that includes implementation specialists, evaluation and improvement specialists, communications specialists, and learning and design specialists. Guided by this workgroup's theoretically grounded and empirically informed model of implementation support practice, tailored support is delivered primarily to leaders and teams within community service organizations and coalitions. Projects involve close collaboration with state agencies, support, and funding partners.

This position will provide technical assistance to both regional Triple P partners in North Carolina ((http://ictp.fpg.unc.edu) and teachers, enrichment coordinators, and other site-based staff involved in The Duke Endowment's Rural Church Summer Literacy Initiative in North Carolina (https://www.dukeendowment.org/project-details/summer-literacy-initiative).

In addition to membership in this FPG workgroup, the position is expected to be a member of the community of FPG Investigators. Expectations include engagement in institutional activities within FPG and evaluation of professional performance.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. May require terminal degree and licensure.

Advanced knowledge of early elementary literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading and evidence-based parenting and family support programs. Advanced knowledge of effective adult learning practices and technical assistance models.

Demonstrated experience:
delivering or supporting the use of early elementary literacy instruction using curricula grounded in the science of reading;
delivering or supporting the use of evidence-based parenting and family support programs;
* providing programmatic training and coaching to community-based teachers/family practitioners;
* providing program-based technical assistance to organizational leaders and staff in community-based settings, including supporting individuals through a range of emotional experiences related to change;
* facilitating program adaptation while maintaining fidelity to core components and practices;
* working with organizations implementing sponsored programs and practices to meet administrative and financial requirements, including programmatic and budgetary planning;
* using data and practice feedback for evaluation or quality improvement activities;
and
*participate in projects or initiatives that focus on advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in rural child and family-serving community settings.

The following skill sets:
(1) the development of collaborative working relationships with diverse community and statewide partners;
(2) the provision of programmatic training and coaching to teachers and/or front-line practitioners using adult learning best practices;
(3) the provision of program-based technical assistance to organizational leaders and teams;
(4) guiding program adaptation while maintaining fidelity to core components and practices;
(5) the application of equitable and inclusive practices in program delivery, family engagement, and related processes;
(6) formal assessment of learning and/or programmatic outcomes;
(7) providing individual or group-based facilitation, including with a co-facilitator;
(8) synthesizing and translating programmatic research into practical learning and application resources;
(9) programmatic planning, including budget development typical of sponsored projects;
(10) strong written communication;
(11) strong public speaking and presentation;
(12) using data for quality improvement and decision-making.

Prefer a Ph.D. in an area of education, public health, social work, psychology, or closely related fields of study, or a Master's degree and three or more years of relevant experience.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.