Senior Technical Assistance Consultant, State Policy – Systems of Support
American Institutes for Research
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Remote
Location: California • Illinois • United States
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Salary
💰 $120,000 - $150,000 per year
Job Level
About the role
- Serve as the primary liaison to state and local education agency staff, drawing on firsthand SEA experience to foster trust, credibility, and effective collaboration.
- Lead the design and implementation of state systems of support for school and district improvement, utilizing an insider’s perspective on SEA processes, compliance, and policy priorities.
- Represent AIR on cross-agency leadership teams and at national conferences, sharing insights from direct SEA work and evidence-based practices.
- Oversee the administration and monitoring of state and federal grants, applying knowledge of SEA grant cycles, reporting requirements, and accountability frameworks.
- Support the growth of monitoring work and build relationships with state leaders in systems of support across the United States, leveraging established SEA networks and credibility.
- Lead the evaluation, research, and dissemination of effective practices for district and school improvement, informed by SEA experience in data-driven decision-making and progress monitoring.
- Guide the development of progress monitoring systems, leveraging SEA expertise in data systems, compliance, and continuous improvement cycles.
- Ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations related to district and school improvement, including major legislative initiatives, drawing on direct SEA policy implementation experience.
- Supervise staff and manage change processes to advance AIR’s state policy work, informed by SEA best practices in organizational change and stakeholder engagement.
Requirements
- 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.
- At least 10 years of direct experience working within a state education agency on district and school improvement, state systems of support, or the use of evidence to inform educational strategies.
- Demonstrated capacity to work across divisions within an agency or across sectors bridging education, youth development and workforce.
- Demonstrated experience working in multi-state collaborations to exchange effective strategies, co-develop policies, and scale successful practices across states.
- Proven ability to generate revenue and secure new funding by developing and implementing comprehensive business strategies.
- Understanding of state and federal funding streams for district and school improvement.
- Proven track record in SEA grant management, policy implementation, or program evaluation.
- Familiarity with SEA data systems, progress monitoring, or improvement cycles (e.g., PDSA cycles).
- Experience presenting at national conferences and collaborating with research and policy organizations.
- Established networks in the field and a willingness to cultivate relationships on behalf of AIR.
Benefits
- AIR’s Total Rewards Program
- Competitive salary
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
grant managementpolicy implementationprogram evaluationdata-driven decision-makingprogress monitoringcompliancecontinuous improvement cyclesevidence-based practicesbusiness strategy developmentfunding stream management
Soft Skills
collaborationrelationship buildingstakeholder engagementorganizational change managementleadershipcommunicationtrust buildingcredibilitycross-agency teamworkmulti-state collaboration
Certifications
Ph.D.Ed.D.Master’s degreeBachelor’s degree