Graduate Research Assistant Hourly, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Graduate Research Assistant- Hourly 

School of Labor and Employment Relatlons 

Project for Middle Class Renewal 

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 

Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the  nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and  addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is  the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially  interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to  the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community. 

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and  hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender  identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information,  visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO. 

Position Description 

The School of labor and Employment Relations at The University of Illinois invites applications  for the position of hourly Graduate Research Assistant (RA) with the Project for Middle Class  Renewal. The Project for Middle Class Renewal was established in the fall of 2015 with the goal  of promoting policy analysis, scholarly research, and scholar-practitioner exchanges on  employment related issues. RA will work exclusively on the Examining the Diversity of  Experience with the Federal Tax System across Race and Immigration Status project 

The position is part of a UIUC supported research study that examines how families understand  and navigate tax return filing, the barriers families encounter applying for and receiving family based tax credits, and how families spend their tax refunds. This aspect of the research has a particular focus on the experiences of Latiné/Hispanic immigrant families. The position involves  recruitment of study participants, conducting one-on-one interviews with participants, and  qualitative data analysis of interview data. While participants in the study will be from the  Chicagoland area, the work related to this position can be done virtually. Expected work hours  are between 10 to 15 hours a week, and work schedule is flexible. This is a 4-to-6-month position that begins as soon as possible.  

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Recruitment of study participants 

• Conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews with parents with children about their  experiences with the federal tax system (i.e. filing taxes and receiving tax funds) and the  Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. 

• Collaborate with principal investigator on developing processes for coding interview data  and identifying emerging themes from the interviews.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Minimum 3 years of experience working with and in immigrant and Latinx communities.  • Bilingual (Written and Spoken) in Spanish and English.  

• Experience conducting interviews or prior experience engaged in activities that  demonstrate ability to compassionately engage in one-on-one interviews. For example, 

experience doing community outreach, community organizing, individual capacity  building. 

• Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel or similar spreadsheet application.  • General knowledge of systems, policies and programs that impact families and children.  • Possess a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Latin American and Latino Studies, Gender  Studies, Sociology, Public Health, Urban Studies, Public Policy, or related field 

BENEFICIAL QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Experience using Qualitative Data Analyses Software (e.q., Nvivo, MAXQDA, Dedoose,  Atlas.ti etc.)  

• Experience working on a research team, managing qualitative datasets.  • Knowledge of federal tax policy, specifically the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child  Tax Credit 

• Possess a Master’s Degree in Social Work, Latin American and Latino Studies, Gender  Studies, Sociology, Public Health, Urban Studies, Public Policy, or related field. • Applications from those who identify as Latinx/Hispanic, Black, Indigenous, and Person of Color are strongly encouraged.  

COMPENSATION: $22 per hour 

  

PROPOSED STARTING DATE: Proposed starting date is as soon as possible after the closing  date. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES 

Please email a cover letter detailing your experience that is applicable to the position and how it  and resume/CV addressed to Dylan Bellisle dbelli2@illinois.edu. You may also visit  https://lep.illinois.edu/project-for-middle-class-renewal/ for additional information. 

University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon  acceptance of a contingent offer. Convictions are not a bar to employment. The University of  Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of  sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former  employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information,  visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment. As a qualifying federal  contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.