Ambassador: Research Coordinator

Working Title: Ambassador: Research Coordinator

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Education

Department: 540961 - I'm Determined Center

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 04/19/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Virginia Department of Education I'm Determined Center (IMD) at JMU is seeking a qualified and experienced education professional to implement research agendas on behalf on the Center. We are looking for a dynamic candidate who is interested in a work environment that affords ongoing professional learning opportunities, collaboration with colleagues, and an opportunity to influence educational practices. This is a grant-funded position.

The Research Ambassador’s main role is to analyze many of the longstanding practices in I’m Determined and translate them into practitioner-friendly research. While research agendas will be set by I’m Determined leadership, the research ambassador will support a growing research agenda. This role will require leadership in research methodology and design, coordination of research projects, and intentional participation from youth leaders, educators, and families. This research will prioritize the positive outcomes associated with developing self-determination and youth leadership, particularly in education, and will also look to conduct research that incorporates and reflects the emerging thoughts and ideas of youth leaders and young people who are displaying self-determination in their daily lives.

This is a tele-eligible position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Design and Implement Research Projects:
Collaborate on the development of research initiatives focused on self-determination, including designing studies, defining methodologies, and establishing measurable objectives to assess the impact on student empowerment, leadership development, and self-advocacy.

Conduct Data Collection and Analysis:
Lead the collection, organization, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations. Use statistical tools and software to identify trends, evaluate outcomes, and generate actionable insights.

Apply Self-Determination Theory in Research:
Integrate principles of self-determination theory—such as autonomy, competence, and relatedness—into research practices to evaluate their application and benefits for students with disabilities in educational contexts.

Prepare Research Reports and Presentations:
Develop clear, comprehensive research reports, visualizations, and presentations to communicate findings to stakeholders, including school administrators, educators, families, and youth. Highlight the impact of the I’m Determined Project on self-determination outcomes.

Ensure Accessibility in Research Practices:
Design research tools, processes, and dissemination materials that meet accessibility standards (e.g., Section 508, WCAG) to ensure inclusivity and engagement of diverse participants and audiences.

Collaborate with Project Teams:
Partner with the Innovation Lead and other team members to integrate research findings into program design, communication strategies, and professional development efforts, ensuring alignment with evidence-based practices.

Manage Research Projects:
Oversee research timelines, deliverables, and team activities, ensuring that all tasks are completed on schedule, within budget, and with high-quality outcomes.

Utilize Research Tools and Technology:
Employ platforms such as SPSS, NVivo, Tableau, or Qualtrics to streamline data collection, analysis, and visualization for research on self-determination and related outcomes.

Adhere to Ethical Standards in Research:
Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines, participant confidentiality, and regulatory requirements, particularly in studies involving students with disabilities.

Support Applied Research Initiatives:
Contribute to translating research findings into actionable strategies to inform program implementation and support students in developing self-determination and leadership skills.

Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in education, psychology, special education, social sciences, or a related field. A focus on self-determination, disability studies, or educational research is preferred.
• Previous professional experience conducting research in educational or disability-focused settings, with a track record of applying research findings to improve practices or programs.
• Strong understanding of Self-Determination Theory and frameworks, including their application in educational contexts to enhance autonomy, competence, and relatedness among students with disabilities.
• Expertise in analyzing qualitative and quantitative data using tools such as SPSS, NVivo, R, or other statistical and qualitative analysis software.
• Experience managing research projects, including developing timelines, coordinating team activities, and meeting deliverables within deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex research findings into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and inclusive practices in research, ensuring materials and processes are designed to engage participants with diverse needs.
• Understanding of K-12 educational systems and special education practices, including collaboration with educators, administrators, and families.
• Knowledge of ethical guidelines for research, including IRB processes, participant confidentiality, and obtaining consent for studies involving youth with disabilities.
• Proficiency in research tools and platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, Tableau, Microsoft Excel), as well as familiarity with digital tools for presenting and disseminating findings.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a statewide, collaborative team environment, contributing research expertise to support organizational goals and program innovation.
• A professional commitment to advancing the self-determination and empowerment of youth with disabilities through evidence-based practices and research-driven insights.
• Ability to travel regionally and occasionally statewide.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.