Technical Assistance Consultant – K-12 Literacy
Job Description
Full Job Description
Overview:
AIR is currently seeking a Literacy Education Technical Assistant (TA) Consultant to join our Educators and Instruction program area within AIR’s Human Services Division to aid us with improving outcomes in Education. The TA Consultant will support a variety of projects focused on using evidence-based practices for teaching and learning in K-12 literacy (reading, writing, and oral language development). Specifically, the role will involve training teachers and instructional coaches to deliver evidence-based literacy programs, monitoring and supporting implementation of those programs, helping teachers use improvement processes to test and refine new instructional routines, and providing literacy education expertise on research projects. The role will also involve contributions to business development and visibility for AIR’s work in literacy education.
Candidates hired for the position might initially start working remotely but will eventually have the option to work from one of our U.S. office locations or continue to work remotely based in the U.S.
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 advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.
AIR’s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone’s unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by clicking here.
Responsibilities:
The responsibilities for the position include:
- Developing training materials, implementation measures, and protocols for monitoring and providing feedback on implementation
- Delivering training, professional development, and coaching to support teachers in implementing new programs and/or improving their instruction using structured protocol
- Providing expertise on literacy teaching and learning to support research activities including, but not limited to, recruitment of study participants, development of implementation and related outcomes measures, data collection, and implementation analyses
- Contributing to the development of reports that describe and interpret findings for clients, partners, and other relevant audiences
- Representing AIR in interactions with state, local, and site-based staff; potential clients; and partner organizations
- Contributing to capacity building in literacy instruction with schools, districts, and education organizations and providers
- Working on collaborative project teams, including supervision of research/TA assistants and associates as a task or functional lead
- Contributing to team efforts to develop new business opportunities around literacy education, including strategic planning, identification and pursuit of opportunities, and proposal development
- Managing or leading projects or tasks, with assumption of greater responsibility over time
- Contributing to the implementation and integration of AIR’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in all business activities
Qualifications:Education, Knowledge, and Experience:
- Master’s degree with a minimum of 4 years of experience of experience in experience in literacy education or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 6 years of experience in experience in literacy education
- Knowledge in areas related to evidence-based practices for literacy instructional practices and routines and teacher professional development and learning
- Experience providing direct training and coaching support to literacy teachers and/or literacy instructional coaches
- Expertise or experience in equity and improving outcomes for racially and linguistically diverse students
- Relevant expertise, experience, and interest in one or more of the following topic areas:
- Evidence-based strategies for teaching foundational reading skills in early elementary school, including teaching phonics and phonological awareness
- Evidence-based practices for teaching decoding, fluency, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing for adolescents
- Evidence-based strategies for professional development and systems change on topics related to literacy
- Multi-tiered systems of support and use of literacy assessment data for decision making in the context of classrooms, school, districts, and states
- Experience working with literacy education providers, curriculum developers, researchers, and associations is preferred but not required
Skills:
- Passionate about improving instruction and student outcomes using evidence from rigorous research
- Excellent interpersonal skills to ensure effective communication with individuals at all levels and from diverse backgrounds
- Strong attention to detail with commitment to accuracy
- Availability and flexibility to travel locally and nationally
- Grant or contract writing skills
- Interest in continuing to develop skill related to research activities
- Ability to lead and collaborate on work in both an in-person and online environment
- Ability to balance work across multiple projects simultaneously
Disclosures:
AIR requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive a legally required exemption from AIR, as a condition of employment. AIR will ask candidates to verify their vaccination status only after a conditional offer of employment is made. Applicants should not provide information about their vaccination status or need for exemption prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment from AIR
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.
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 rigorous reference and background checks.