Vanderbilt University

The Research Scholar is part of the Tennessee Tiered Supports Center (Tennessee TSC), a technical assistance center within the Special Education Department of Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. The Research Scholar is responsible for (a) developing and disseminating high-quality technical assistance materials in collaboration with a Content Development Team and (b) leading research and evaluation that informs the implementation of Tennessee’s Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI2) frameworks. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, implementation science, systems change, behavioral support, reading instruction, and intensive intervention. Applicants with behavioral support experience and graduate-level behavior analysis certification (i.e., BCBA or BCBA-D) are being prioritized. The Research Scholar will also lead analyses of multiple project outcomes and generate reports and recommendations with Project Directors to achieve grant objectives. This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week).

This position involves ongoing collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Education, contracted affiliates of the Tennessee Technical Assistance Network, and team members subcontracted through partnering universities.

About the Work Unit

This project is housed within Vanderbilt’s Department of Special Education. The Department has a history of significant and continuous impact on the field of special education. Faculty and staff are committed to equipping students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to provide exceptional services and support to people with disabilities and their families. The Department has been ranked first among all special education departments in the country in terms of leadership and productivity for much of the last 20 years by U.S. News and World Report. More information can be found at http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/

Duties and Responsibilities

In collaboration with Project Directors and other team members, the Research Scholar will carry out the following activities:

• Content Development
  • Lead development of select core and supplemental trainings, including those related to assessment and intervention for students with challenging behavior
  • Lead collaboration with Tennessee Department of Education leaders and other technical assistance centers to ensure alignment of research-based recommendations and guidance, especially related to assessment and intervention for students with challenging behavior
  • Lead revisions and updates to assigned trainings and materials; solicit and provide feedback as content is developed
  • Lead collaborations with external consultants subcontracted to train or develop resources on specialized topics
• Research and Project Evaluation
• Analyze and interpret data to write reports, develop presentations, and generate data-driven recommendations with Project Directors to achieve grant objectives
• Lead project staff in analyzing and interpreting data to continuously improve project outputs and service delivery; develop tools to support data collection and analyses regionally and center-wide
• Maintain expert-level and up-to-date knowledge of best practices, professional development opportunities, and state or national guidance related to the implementation of tiered support systems and intensive intervention for academics and behavior.
• Support collaboration with the TN Technical Assistance Network’s Evaluation Team to evaluate desired project and network outcomes
• Conduct literature reviews on prioritized topics for project staff
• Professional Development
  • Lead internal professional development events that equip educational consultants across the state with knowledge to deliver trainings
  • Provide coaching on prioritized topics to project staff across the state
  • Organize and lead external training events to enhance state, district, and school leaders’ understanding of prioritized topics
  • Provide constructive feedback on training delivery to region-based teams of educational consultants who provide technical assistance across the state
• Accountability
  • Meet with colleagues responsible for content development at least weekly to discuss progress on assigned trainings
  • Meet established deadlines for the submission and review of content under development

Supervisory Relationships

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Principal and Co-Principal Investigators of the Tennessee Tiered Support Center

Qualifications

• A doctorate in special education, education, or a related discipline is preferred.
• A graduate-level certification in behavior analysis (i.e., BCBA or BCBA-D) is strongly preferred.
• Educational experience can substitute for professional experience.

Experience and Skills:

• At least two years of school-based experience with demonstrated knowledge of behavior assessment and intervention in school settings
• At least one year of experience providing consultation or support in the area of behavior assessment and intervention to district- and school-level staff
• At least one year of experience developing materials to support adult learning
• At least 2 years of research experience or scholarly writing that pertains to behavior assessment and intervention in school settings
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication, as well as public speaking skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multiple people as part of a collaborative team

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.