About WestEd

As a community of over 1,300 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. Read more about WestEd’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.Come and join us!

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.

Content Area or Department Brief Description:

The School Improvement Specialist will be responsible for leading services that support effective school improvement and turnaround projects within and across schools and districts.

Successful candidates will be highly qualified educational leaders with well-developed leadership, presentation, and coaching skills. The position requires a strong background and expertise in data-driven school improvement. Experience working with the Bureau of Indian Education, regional, county, and/or state education agencies is also helpful.

Responsibilities will include coordinating and leading multifaceted services, projects, and workshops in one or more of the following priority areas related to school improvement:

• Adolescent literacy
• Assessment Literacy
• Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Practices
• Curriculum Development
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Early Literacy
• English Learners / Dual Language
• Instructional Transformation
• Mathematics
• Professional Learning Communities
• School and District Leadership
• Social Emotional learning
• Social Studies
• Special Education
• Staff development
• Standards-Based Teaching
• Talent development

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage school improvement and turnaround projects at local and state levels.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients, partners, and funders characterized by respect and trust.
• Participate in ongoing conceptualization, development, refinement, and delivery of professional learning materials and coaching, in-person and virtual, related to research-based K-12 curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• Provide transformational leadership coaching that builds school leadership competencies and addresses local initiatives, goals, and objectives in areas critical to school improvement such as leadership, curriculum, instruction, assessment, school culture, talent management, and operations.
• Collaborate with a team of professional development providers to analyze district and school needs and facilitate district and site strategic planning, including providing insights into equity issues pertaining to both adults and students.
• Collect and analyze district and school data to identify strengths and needs in order to plan services. 
• Facilitate the alignment of a school’s curriculum, instruction, and assessment system.
• Manage project resources (time and budget) to support completion of defined scopes of work while attending to ongoing communication among and between program staff, clients, and partner organizations. 
• Provide technical assistance and coordination for SEA and LEA school improvement efforts. 
• Collaborate with WestEd colleagues to contribute to strategic business development opportunities, including leading teams to respond to requests for proposals and leveraging networks to expand our reach and impact.
• Work with WestEd colleagues to support the continuous improvement of tools and resources designed for school improvement efforts.
• Produce a variety of written documents and publications such as reports, articles, brochures, and professional learning materials as needed. 
• Provide quality assurance on all deliverables created for clients.

Qualifications:

• Experience successfully improving and/or turning around struggling schools.
• Minimum of Master’s Degree in Education. Doctorate preferred.
• Multiple years of experience as a leader in a medium to large school system preferred.
• Multiple years of teaching experience.
• Experience providing professional learning related to national and state standards.
• Familiarity with effective and standards-based curriculum, instructional, and assessment practices.
• Experience working with state education agencies and with state-wide initiatives.
• Familiarity with federal funding initiatives for district/school improvement efforts.
• Ability to perform data analysis and interpretation.
• Solid writing skills.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities under time-restricted conditions.
• Commitment to quality products and customer service.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently to realize program goals.
• Comfort with Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Google applications, Zoom, and other professional learning technology.
• Willingness and ability to travel for extended, overnight work engagements.

*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

WestEd conducts a criminal background check and education verification for all new hires. Any offers of employment will be contingent on receiving a clear background check in accordance with applicable law.

SALARY: $125/Hour 

Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of social and professional learning communities, such as Employee Resource groups, the Data Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation PLC, and the WestEd Parent Community, just to name a few. We hope you’ll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more! WestEd is a Drug Free Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. #LI-Remote