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Form of workAbout 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.
Culture of the Literacy Team:
The Literacy Content Area seeks to strengthen WestEd’s position as a leader in Literacy-focused professional learning, research, and evaluation. We are driven by our desire to improve equitable outcomes for students. We seek to help education leaders understand the deep connections between literacy, content-area achievement and equity and ensure that our flagship service, Reading Apprenticeship, consistently and equitably results in measurable impacts on teacher practice and student learning. We are known for quality supports and trusted partnerships that hold the value of leading from research and practice, and that are responsive to changing conditions.
The Opportunity:
As a Program Associate in Literacy, you will initially work with teams related to Reading Apprenticeship and writing professional learning services to improve equitable access to high-quality, culturally responsive curriculum and professional learning. Opportunities for additional growth within the agency are expected. You will report to the Senior Program Associate and work closely with the Literacy team to contribute to the ongoing development and high-quality implementation of Reading Apprenticeship and the creation of curriculum and services related to literacy and professional learning at the secondary level.
Focus Areas and Responsibilities:
Curriculum Design and Professional Learning Facilitation (65%)
- Collaborate with the Literacy Team, active teachers, and thought leaders to refine existing and develop new curriculum and professional learning; this development work centers on integrating research and practice to meet the assets and needs of adolescent learners.
- Align curriculum and professional learning with the WestEd Equity Framework.
- Facilitate high-quality professional learning in person and online.
- Communicate effectively and promote an effective learning and culturally sensitive climate with a range of interest-holders (teachers, administrators, district and state leaders).
- Provide feedback to the professional learning team about the successes and challenges of professional learning, what we are learning about classroom implementation, and the quality of facilitation.
Research (25%)
- Incorporate diverse voices in the collection of qualitative and quantitative research.
- Develop data collection protocols and user manuals and conduct on-site data collection (for example conducting school visits, classroom observations, interviews, and focus groups).
- Analyze summarize both qualitative and descriptive statistical data.
- Document and visualize research findings.
- Follow project timelines to produce timely, high-quality deliverables.
- Ensure that IRB documentation and approvals are up-to-date and followed by other team members.
- Create written resources that are appropriate for a variety of interest-holders.
Resource Development and Institutional Engagement (10%)
- Contribute to the writing of proposals to federal and state agencies and foundations that help grow work aligned with the Literacy Content Area’s strategic plan; prepare descriptive reports, analyses, and evaluation reports.
- Participate in agency-wide trainings.
- Collaborate with the literacy team to contribute to the growth, visibility, and quality of services and publications.
What We Are Looking For:
- Demonstrated experience in designing curriculum to promote adolescent literacy development including one or more of the following areas:
- foundational reading skills
- digital and/or multimodal texts
- writing
- disciplinary literacy
Other degrees, skills, abilities, experiences of interest
- PhD/EdD (completed or in progress) in education, literacy, reading or closely related field.
- Experience teaching in the secondary classroom especially in social studies or science classrooms.
- Experience in multilingual and/or multicultural settings, focusing on culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogies.
- Experience with Reading Apprenticeship.
This position can be a home office or in one of WestEd’s offices, but must be able to travel to offices and project sites up to 20%.
*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 AND BENEFITS:
The full salary range for this position, WestEd level 11, is $103,600 to $155,400 but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $103,600 to $129,500. The actual offer takes into account multiple factors including but not limited to education; experience; internal equity, and other organizational needs.
In addition to the base salary, benefits include:
· 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment
· Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
· All health/welfare benefits are effective first of the month following hire date
· PTO: 3 weeks vacation (increases to 4 weeks beginning the 4th year of employment), paid holidays, and 12 days paid sick leave per year
· Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary
· Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives
· Professional development opportunities & mentorship program
For more detail about our benefits, go to:
https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/benefits/
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! #Remote #LI-Hybrid
