Summer Research Assistants support the collection of NYC child care sector data, specifically early care and education workforce data. DCCNY is deeply engaged in advocacy for salary parity for the early childhood education workforce, including teachers, directors, support staff, and home-based providers. The research we are conducting is essential to this advocacy and to ensuring that our agenda continues to be responsive to the needs of the early childhood sector.
Summer Research Assistants will conduct in-depth interviews with program leaders and employees, including directors, bookkeepers, and other staff, to develop a comprehensive census of the sector. Interviews will cover a wide range of topics around staffing, budget, and program practice. Data will need to be entered into a shared database, and some information will require written summaries.
Summer Research Assistants will also help coordinate and may participate in in-district meetings with members of the New York City Council. New York State Legislature and US Congress representing New York City. DCCNY is increasing its engagement with elected officials in order to advance our agenda
Approximately 80% of Summer Research Assistants’ time will be in the field, with extensive travel to visit child care centers across NYC’s five boroughs.
Summer Research Assistants will work under the supervision of the Chief Policy & Innovation Officer. They will also work closely with DCCNY’s Policy Analyst and other staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Interviewing child care providers throughout NYC to gather information about staffing, budgets, and other key data points.
- Summarizing findings and entering findings into databases.
- Ensuring that DCCNY collects high-quality data.
- Conducting research and list building
- Scheduling site visits and meetings
- Following up via phone or email on questions that arise from the data.
Qualifications, Skills, Abilities, and Characteristics
Required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience follow.
- Effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse,
multicultural environment.
- Ability to quickly learn the terminology used in the early childhood field.
- Comfort conducting outreach and communicating clearly and empathically with diverse
populations.
- Bilingual proficiency (English and Spanish) is a plus.
- Strong computer literacy; proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google G-Suite.
- Strategic thinking with the capacity to be adaptable, navigate ambiguity, and be
solution-oriented.
- Act effectively and efficiently under pressure.
- Flexibility to function in a changing work environment with the ability to set priorities and
multitask.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Deep commitment to our mission and nuanced understanding of systemic and structural racism and
inequity.
- Follow through with all projects and assignments, follow timelines, and meet scheduled
deadlines.
- Be assertive and persuasive as necessary while maintaining positive and productive
relationships.
- Time management skills are essential.
- Ability to multitask.
- Must be a team player.
- Ability to lift and carry light to moderate-weighted items.
DCCNY is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented team. Salary offers depend on qualifications, internal equity, and the funding supporting the role. To demonstrate our commitment to pay equity, DCCNY caps salary offers at the stated range maximum and new hires are generally not eligible for salaries at the high end of the salary range.
These positions are primarily in the field, but DCCNY has offices in Manhattan and Queens, and in-office work may take place in either location.
As it pertains to vaccination mandates, DCCNY abides by city, state, and federal agencies and funder requirements, which may change over time. Over the last two years, DCCNY has required all staff to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 with an FDA- or WHO-authorized vaccine via NYS Excelsior Pass/Excelsior Pass Plus and reserves the right to continue such requirements going forward.
All offers of employment are contingent upon completing a background check, including
verification of social security number, criminal record, and educational history.
Six weeks between early July to August
Hours per Week: 35 hours per week
Salary Range: $25 per hour
Benefits: This position is not eligible for DCCNY’s benefits package
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Expected hours: 35 per week
Schedule:
Travel requirement:
Work setting:
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- Are you willing to travel within the five boroughs of NYC to conduct site visits and gathering data.
Ability to Commute:
- New York, NY 10018 (Required)
Work Location: In person