Senior Technical Assistance Lead, State Policy & Systems of Support

The Senior Technical Assistance (TA) Lead, State Policy and Systems of Support is a pivotal role designed for professionals with direct experience working within a state education agency (SEA). This position leverages deep, practical knowledge of state-level policy, systems of support, and the complexities of district and school improvement initiatives. The Lead will drive the development and implementation of technical assistance and evaluation of strategies to support state policy and systems of support development and assistance to low-performing districts and schools, ensuring all efforts are grounded in evidence and aligned with state and federal priorities.

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:

Strategic Leadership and SEA Partnership

• 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.

School Improvement and Grant Oversight

• 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.

Evidence-Based Strategy and Progress Monitoring

• 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.

Policy Implementation and Compliance

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] is correct and [email protected] is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out [email protected]. 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.

#LI-AS1 #LI-REMOTE

AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range
$120,000—$150,000 USD