Part-Time Senior Consultant for Rural Education ...

AIR's Education Systems and Policy program area is seeking a talented Part-Time Senior Consultant for Rural Education Technical Assistance to enhance our initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes in rural schools and districts. This role focuses on delivering specialized technical assistance and capacity-building services that address the distinct challenges faced by rural education environments. As a Senior Consultant, you will be instrumental in creating and implementing tools, resources, and processes that strengthen education systems at the school, district, and state levels. Engagements will be project-based, part-time, with time commitments ranging from 25% to 70% depending on project needs, offering a dynamic work schedule. This position allows for remote work within the United States or from one of AIR's U.S. office locations, and participation in meetings across all continental U.S. time zones is essential. Please note that this role does not extend to U.S. territories. About AIR: Established in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to conducting behavioral and social science research and providing technical assistance. Our mission is to tackle some of the most urgent challenges both domestically and globally through evidence generation and data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all. Key Responsibilities: Design, develop, and deliver technical assistance and training in various formats (virtual, in-person, hybrid). Create informative materials for technical assistance and capacity building, such as toolkits, guides, fact sheets, and web-based resources. Facilitate meetings, communities of practice, and stakeholder engagement sessions. Provide expert guidance on rural education issues, including community engagement, access, and resource allocation. Support research activities related to rural education, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. Contribute to reports and presentations that effectively describe and interpret findings for clients and stakeholders. Collaborate with project teams and take the lead on assignments. Qualifications: Education, Knowledge, and Experience: Ph.D. or Ed.D. with at least 3 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree with a minimum of 7 years; or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 9 years in rural education. Prior experience as a school administrator or in a school leadership role in rural settings. Strong knowledge of school finance, district budgets, or tax policy related to K-12 education. Familiarity with evidence-based practices that enhance instructional quality and student outcomes in rural contexts. Experience providing direct training, coaching, or technical assistance to rural educators and instructional leaders. Background in collaborating with rural education service providers, researchers, or professional organizations. Skills: Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for engaging with diverse stakeholders. Flexibility and adaptability to meet partners' varying needs and capacities. A strong ability to recognize and elevate local knowledge and expertise in rural areas. Meticulous attention to detail with a commitment to quality and accuracy. Capability to lead and collaborate effectively in both in-person and virtual settings. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Effective communication skills for smooth collaboration in a virtual work environment. Willingness to travel up to 15% of the time, both locally and nationally. Travel Requirements: This role may involve travel up to 15% of the time. Disclosures: This position is open to U.S. citizens only. Successful candidates must obtain clearance through the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system. AIR is committed to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination for any reason. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. Selected candidates will undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free workplace. Accessibility Notice: If you require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a disability, please contact us. Compensation: The anticipated hourly rate for this position ranges from $58 to $78 USD, based on experience and qualifications.

Created: 2026-03-10