Senior Technical Assistance Consultant, School Choice and Accountability (Part-Time)

AIR’s Education Systems and Policy program area is seeking a Part-Time Senior Technical Assistance (TA) Consultant to support project teams dedicated to meeting clients’ needs for advancing school choice initiatives and strengthening accountability systems in K–12 education. The Senior TA Consultant will provide technical assistance (TA) and capacity-building services to state and local education agencies, with a special emphasis on designing, implementing, and evaluating school choice programs (such as charter schools and voucher initiatives) and accountability frameworks. This role involves developing resources, training, and guidance to support effective school choice options and robust accountability systems that promote educational opportunity and continuous improvement.

Engagements are typically project-based, part-time, and may vary in duration and hours depending on project needs, ranging from 25-70%.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations but requires availability to participate in meetings across all continental U.S. time zones. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We generateevidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Design, develop, and deliver TA and training in various formats (virtual, in-person, hybrid).
• Create TA and capacity building materials such as toolkits, guides, fact sheets, and web-based resources.
• Facilitate meetings, communities of practice, and stakeholder engagement sessions.
• Provide expertise on evidence-based strategies related to school choice (e.g., charter schools, education savings accounts, voucher programs) and accountability (school designations, measures, state ESSA plans, waivers, local supports).
• Support research activities related to school choice and accountability, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Contribute to reports and presentations that describe and interpret findings for clients, partners, and stakeholders, with a focus on school choice and accountability.
• Collaborate on project teams and manage/lead projects or tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Ph.D. or Ed.D. with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree with a minimum of 7 years; or Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 9 years of experience in school choice or accountability.
• Previous experience working in a state education agency is preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of federal accountability requirements and relationship to state accountability systems, rationale for specific indicators and measures, accountability reporting and data use at the local level, and supports for identified schools.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices for designing and implementing school choice initiatives and improving school accountability.
• Experience providing direct training, coaching, or technical assistance to educators or administrators on school choice and accountability-focused initiatives.
• Experience collaborating with education service providers, researchers, or professional associations.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working with stakeholders at various levels and from a range of backgrounds.
• High attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Ability to lead and collaborate effectively in both in-person and virtual environments.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and nationally.

Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.

Disclosures: This position is open to U.S. citizens only. Upon hire, incumbent will be required to obtain clearance through the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [email protected] call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example [email protected] is correct and [email protected] is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out [email protected]. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

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