Senior Technical Assistance Consultant, Career Pathways (Part-Time)

AIR’s Education Systems and Policy program area is seeking a Part-Time Senior Technical Assistance (TA) Consultant to support project teams dedicated to meeting clients’ needs for advancing career and technical education and expanding career pathways for K–12 students. The Senior TA Consultant will provide technical assistance and capacity-building services to state and local education agencies, with a special emphasis on designing, implementing, and evaluating Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and career pathways initiatives. This role involves developing resources, training, and guidance to strengthen CTE systems and support student transitions to postsecondary education and careers.  

Engagements are typically project-based, part-time, and may vary in duration and hours depending on project needs, ranging from 25-70%.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations but requires availability to participate in meetings across all continental U.S. time zones. This does not include U.S. territories. 

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 generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Design, develop, and deliver TA and training in various formats (virtual, in-person, hybrid). 
• Create TA and capacity building materials such as toolkits, guides, fact sheets, and web-based resources. 
• Provide subject matter expertise on topics such as CTE program design; supporting states to align CTE programs with best practices and industry labor market needs; career exploration and navigation; work-based learning, dual enrollment, and industry-recognized credentials; and industry partnership and engagement. 
• Facilitate meetings, communities of practice, and stakeholder engagement sessions. 
• Conduct needs sensing and synthesize needs to generate actionable implementation plans. 
• Support research activities related to CTE and career pathways, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. 
• Contribute to reports and presentations that describe and interpret findings for clients, partners, and stakeholders, with a focus on CTE and career readiness. 
• Collaborate on project teams and manage/lead projects or tasks as assigned. 

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• 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 in CTE or career pathways. 
• Previous experience working in a related state agency (e.g. secondary or postsecondary education, workforce, etc.)  or regional intermediary with a related focus is preferred but not required.  
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices for designing and improving CTE and career pathway programs and educator professional development. 
• Experience providing direct training, coaching, or technical assistance to CTE educators or administrators.  
• Experience collaborating with CTE and career pathway service providers, curriculum developers, CTSOs, industry leaders or industry associations, researchers, or professional associations. 

Skills

• 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. 
• Ability to lead and collaborate effectively in both in-person and virtual environments. 
• Ability to facilitate engagement across multiple/various stakeholders to make meaning of information generate actionable next steps. 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment. 
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and nationally.  

Ability to travel up to 15% of the time.

Disclosures: This position is open to U.S. citizens only. Upon hire, incumbent will be required to obtain clearance through the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system. 

 American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. 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 reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.orgor call 202.403.5000.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:  AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out torecruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) atReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.

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