Lead Education Verification Specialist - Temporary

Job Description

The University of Washington (UW) is proud to be one of the nation’s premier educational and research institutions. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in education, research, and community service. Our staff not only enjoy outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities, but also an environment noted for diversity, community involvement, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

Cultivate Learning at the College of Education fosters the quality that makes access to learning meaningful. Backed by the University of Washington, our research-powered innovations and hands-on partnership create a fertile environment for smarter teaching and learning. We advance opportunities by lowering barriers to entering the profession and guiding educators to success. And we identify the building blocks of quality along with the path to use them – in Washington State and across the country. Every child deserves to flourish from a foundation of quality learning. This core belief drives our work to provide talented learning professionals with the support they need to build that foundation. At Cultivate Learning, we translate insight into learning opportunities.

Cultivate Learning is funded by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and provides training and research on the quality of childcare and early learning in Washington State. Currently, Cultivate Learning is involved in the Washington State Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS) standards initiative, Early Achievers. Cultivate Learning is an essential part of Washington’s early learning system to give childcare providers the support and skills they need in order to help children develop the skills they need to be successful in school.

Cultivate Learning has an outstanding opportunity for a temporary Lead Education Verification Specialist. This Lead will work closely with the Records Review Manager. This position is FTE and will be remotely based. The Lead must be located within Washington State to have proximity and access to Cultivate Learning’s regional colleagues. The Lead responsibilities are:

•Take on a leadership role within the Quality Recognition team - serving as a resource for all staff on education verification protocol and practices.

•Assist in all areas of education verification, including Community Liaison work.

•Help create a reliability check system and conduct inter-rater reliability checks with Education Verification Coder (s).

•Perform quality checks of peers' work and provide feedback for improvement.

•Help create the training process and conduct trainings on all Education Verification measures.

•Independently sign off on data for finalizing reports

•Support the verification of degrees and teacher qualifications for Washington’s early learning system.

•Maintain accurate records of transcript evaluations and related data.

•Communicate changes to Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and key staff as necessary.

•Follow Cultivate Learning values in your daily work.

•Other duties as dictated by the evolving needs of the project.

This position has the challenge of collecting verification data as efficiently and objectively as possible within the constraints and comfort level of individual clients and acting as a liaison between the individual client and the project team. This position will be independently responsible for the coordination and planning efforts of each quarterly phase of the verification project, will be expected to participate in the development of research designs and revisions to verification processes and overall reliability, and are responsible for composing and editing technical reports, publications, and presentations.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities 

Research Activities (72% FTE):

Duties and Responsibilities:

•Assess and articulate transfer courses, evaluating transfer credits as required for the major.

•Review both US and international transcripts to determine the validity of course work and credit that can be applied.

•Research and verify the accreditation status of transfer institutions to ensure the validity of coursework.

•Determine course equivalency between institutions.

•Evaluate credit for prior learning.

•Assign credit values to transfer courses ensuring that students are awarded the correct number of credits for coursework.

•Maintain accurate records of transcript evaluations and related data.

•Provide clear and concise explanations of transcript or course evaluation to teams and students.

•Recommend and implement approved policies and procedures in collaboration with Quality Recognition managers.

•Communicate changes to Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and key staff as necessary.

•Present at and attend trainings and meetings with Cultivate Learning central staff and Quality Recognition team.

•Informing, adapting, and following Cultivate Learning education verification protocols and procedures which include tailoring education verification to individual client needs.

•All verification activities, whether in the field or on site at Cultivate Learning, will be conducted in a reliable, valid and confidential manner per human subjects, IRB and existing Cultivate Learning expectations.

•Responsible for project management, coordinate site visits, correspond with client, disseminate and collect verification related activities and materials, monitor and track files and documents, and maintain verification information electronically.

•Responsible for administering Institute materials/sessions, presenting to large groups, and creating session materials and presentations.

•Maintain appropriate decorum and demeanor when interacting with clients.

•Other duties as assigned.

Data Administration (28% FTE):

•Complete education verification within allotted time schedule for each verification and in coordination with the Education Verification manager.

•Responsible for the quality checking process of assessments, data quality control, and composing reports to funders and clients.

•Complete education verification for each certificate/degree and submit the data according to project procedures and protocols.

•Use independent judgment in the field to solve emergent research problems that arise during education verification.

•Report questions about education verification to manager.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree, with a minimum of 2 years of experience in education verification protocols and procedures.

Equivalent education/ experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Additional Requirements

•Preference for knowledge of Washington universities and early childhood education degree programs.

•Ability to follow rigorous education verification protocols and procedures.

•Ability to be flexible in meeting Cultivate Learning’s scheduling needs.

•Ability to consistently apply sound professional judgment and critical thinking to address complex issues, solve problems, and maintain a high level of confidentiality.

•Experience with data entry, working with databases, paperwork management, and working within project deadlines.

Desired Qualifications

•Willingness to travel within and outside of your designated region to conduct verification visits or gather necessary information.

•Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

•Ability to work with people of various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

•Demonstrate ability to successfully manage time and priorities to meet deadlines, implement organizational skills, multi-task, strong record keeping skills, and provide strong attention to detail and accuracy.

•Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively at all levels within an organization.

•Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

•Strong organizational skills.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Shift:

Temporary or Regular?

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.