Job Description:

Description

About WestEd

As a community of over 800 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact - asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.

Furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion is core to who we are and how we work. We are committed to working with our clients to illuminate and address disparities, value and elevate diverse voices, and ensure equitable access to our resources and services. Please review our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION-Currently, all staff at WestEd are working from home until further notice. Although a remote option may have been listed as one of the location options for this position, the default location for all WestEd positions is in one of WestEd's offices. However, candidates may submit a request to work from home.

As of December 8, all WestEd employees are required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide proof of full vaccination no later than December 8. If you want to be considered for a medical or religious exemption, you will have an opportunity to provide appropriate documentation.

Job Description

WestEd seeks an experienced leader with a commitment to supporting educational equity and excellence and a deep understanding of evidence-based technical assistance to build capacity within state and local education agencies. This senior leader will join WestEd's Talent Development and Diversity (TDD) team and be responsible for planning and leading change efforts that positively affect outcomes for all students, especially those disadvantaged by income, race, ability, and language.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in K-12 education, technical assistance, systems change, strategic planning, and project management. Additionally, the candidate will have deep knowledge of curriculum and instruction, expertise in developing and facilitating professional learning and coaching, and experience leading school improvement strategies that have resulted in one or more successful school transformation efforts.

A significant portion of this position will be dedicated to supporting the Region 2 Comprehensive Center (R2CC), a federally funded technical assistance center that serves the Connecticut State Department of Education, New York State Education Department, and Rhode Island Department of Education. The portfolio of R2CC work focuses on building capacity within these state education agencies (SEAs) to use evidence-based practices to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, and improve the quality of instruction.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead capacity-building technical assistance services to support state and local education agencies in the implementation and scaling-up of evidence-based programs, practices, and interventions.


• Participate in ongoing conceptualization, development, refinement, and delivery of in-person and virtual professional learning and coaching.


• Establish and maintain ongoing communication with clients to identify needs, develop work plans, and monitor progress on meeting intended outcomes.


• Ensure that technical assistance and work products are appropriate to local context and need and are accessible to a diverse range of clients and stakeholders.


• Manage projects to ensure deliverables are completed on time and within budget; this requires tracking and reporting progress toward milestones and outcomes; monitoring project needs, risks, and challenges; and coordinating and communicating with the project director and financial analyst.


• Collaborate with WestEd colleagues to contribute to strategic business development opportunities, including leading teams to respond to requests for proposals and leveraging networks to grow new business.

Qualifications

• advanced degree, masters or higher, or equivalent education and experience in a relevant area are highly desirable


• at least ten years of experience working at school, district, regional, and/or state education agencies (e.g., executive management of systemwide initiatives, school- or district-level administration) with a track record of developing organizational and human capacity


• expertise in K-12 educational issues and knowledge of the needs of education policymakers and practitioners, particularly related to achieving equitable opportunities and outcomes for each student


• experience providing technical assistance, professional learning, leading communities of practice, and/or facilitating stakeholder groups to inform policy


• exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to influence and motivate others toward a shared goal or action


• strong leadership and collaboration skills (internally, externally, and virtually)


• ability to help build and cultivate partnerships with clients and strategic persons in government, private foundations, non-profit organizations, research and development firms, universities, and other entities to support business development


• ability to work productively with diverse colleagues from across the organization and clients in a collaborative, team-oriented fashion

Travel

In a post-COVID world, travel is assumed to be about 20% for the purpose of client visits, presentations in the field, and funder visits. Due to COVID, all meetings are currently facilitated virtually.

Salary

Salary for this role is competitive and at WestEd grade Level H. WestEd offers a very generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as Life, AD&D and Disability insurance. We also offer various retirement plan options and Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses. WestEd offers generous paid holidays and paid time off (PTO), among other benefits.

Perks and Benefits

In addition to WestEd's comprehensive benefits, our team values flexibility and offers flexible work hours. WestEd aims to provide you with a safe and comfortable work environment and offers ergonomic evaluations to make your work environment the best for you! Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of ways to build community, including Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), affinity groups (e.g., WestEd Parents), and professional learning communities (PLCs) for Data Intelligence, Insights, Innovation, and Women in Tech, just to name a few. We hope you'll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more!