TA Consultant, Continuous Improvement Coaching

American Institutes for Research•Chicago, IL

9d•Remote

About The Position

Join AIR as a Technical Assistance (TA) Consultant and use your experience and knowledge to help us deliver on our mission: to generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all. The TA Consultant will specialize in continuous improvement coaching, supporting postsecondary institutions, community schools, and youth‑serving organizations to strengthen implementation of evidence-based strategies. The TA Consultant will provide technical assistance and capacity-building services to state and local education agencies, schools, and education partners focusing on evidence-based solutions in areas such as school and program improvement, family engagement, school climate, MTSS, career pathways, rural education, and more. This role involves developing resources, training, coaching, and guidance to strengthen education systems at the school, district, and state levels. This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories. About AIR: Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in education required.
Experience working directly with or in school districts, state education agencies, and/or postsecondary education systems.
Experience coaching and/or creating and facilitating professional learning for school staff, leaders, and/or community partners.
Demonstrated experience working in postsecondary education systems and in at least one of the following areas: community schools, family engagement, or youth development, with a track record of supporting cross-sector teams serving students and families.
Three years or more of technical assistance experience in either improvement science or continuous improvement capacities.
Demonstrated experience in project organization and management.
Experience working with educators or staff supporting mental health, special education, or wraparound services in educational settings.
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.
Flexibility/adaptability, including an ability to work in dynamic environments and think strategically about how to tailor materials and processes to meet local needs.
Willingness and ability to travel locally and nationally as needed (up to 25% time spent traveling and supporting schools and communities in-person).
Ability to apply research, evaluation, or data-informed approaches to inform technical assistance, support decision-making, and guide continuous improvement.
Ability to lead and collaborate effectively in both in-person and virtual environments.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
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.

Responsibilities

Develop training materials, implementation measures, and protocols for monitoring and supporting education initiatives across various topics.
Deliver training, professional development, and coaching to support educators, administrators, and leaders in implementing new programs and/or engaging in continuous improvement processes.
Develop and contribute to reports that describe and interpret findings for clients, partners, and other relevant audiences.
Represent the organization in interactions with state, local, and site-based staff; potential clients; and partner organizations.
Work on collaborative project teams, including supervision of research/TA assistants and associates as a task or functional lead.
Contribute to team efforts to develop new business opportunities including strategic planning, identification and pursuit of opportunities, and proposal development.
Lead discrete projects or major workstreams, including planning, execution, and client coordination.