(Hybrid) Early Childhood Education and Family Healthy Weight Program Strategy Lead - Center for Active WV

The Center for Active WV in the College of Applied Human Sciences at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Early Childhood Education and Family Healthy Weight Program Strategy Lead.

About the Opportunity

This Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Family Healthy Weight Program (FHWP) Strategy Lead, under the direction of the Principal Investigator and co-Investigators, will provide direction of ECE and FHWP initiatives for a grant funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Staff member will conduct landscape assessments, evaluate readiness, guide county-level coalitions, train community leaders, and lead policy, systems, and environment changes in community settings.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What you'll do:

• Lead the program team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of Early Childcare and Education (ECE) and Family Healthy Weight Program (FHWP) Strategies for the Be Wild, Be Wonderful, Be Healthy Project.
• Lead data collection and analysis related to the ECE and FHWP Strategies.
• Train and mentor county Extension Agents, SNAP-Ed Health Educators, and other community leaders in ECE and FHWP work.
• Develop and deploy in-person and online micro-credential trainings relevant to assigned strategies.
• Collaborate with CDC program personnel and peer grantees at other institutions.
• Provide expertise and assistance to stakeholders and community advisory board in regards to funding opportunities for community-based projects related to the strategies of the Be Healthy Project.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with state and local partners including WV Board of Education and local county boards of education, WV Headstart Association, health care organizations, sub-contractors, other community leaders, local government officials, and media outlets.
• Identify priority needs related to ECE and FHWP through communication with community stakeholders, evaluation of existing policy, and readiness assessment.
• Organize and facilitate community, school and family-based assessments.
• Develop content for ECE/FHWP recruiting and marketing materials.
• Write for academic, popular media and community member audiences.
• Disseminate findings to local, state, regional, and national stakeholders.
• Prepare content for quarterly and annual reports for funding agencies.
• Contribute to other study-related activities as needed.
• Regularly travel to engage with community leaders, partner organizations, and county coalitions.

• Master's degree in early childhood education, public health, or related discipline.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience, preferably in the academic, health or government sector.
  
  
  
  • Working on community-engaged research studies in the past, ideally in rural settings.
  • Conducting research or evaluation in ECE setting and with families with young children.
  • Organizing community-engaged, qualitative and/or quantitative research, including submitting IRB protocols, recruiting participants, preparing all logistics for community-based data collection (e.g., community observations and meetings) and implementing a standardized data collection protocol.
  • Conducting assessments focused on physical activity assets and/or food assets for children/families, and experience in rural settings.
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Flexible, detail-oriented, and well-organized.
• Able to coordinate internal study meetings, attend local and national meetings, and coordinate study support and technical assistance with community partners as needed.
• Able to prepare written materials and presentations for lay and professional audiences.
• Required - proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Outlook, and Excel).
• Flexibility to travel to engage with community partners and conduct on-site data collection.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD.

• Valid US driver's license required for travel between community partner sites.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and received an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.