Senior Program Associate

About WestEd

As a community of over 1,400 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.

WestEd supports individual initiative, excellence, and hard work of all individuals in our hiring and work practices. WestEd complies with all applicable federal and state anti-discrimination laws, as well as OFCCP requirements. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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.

We are seeking a highly motivated, client-oriented professional with significant experience in administering special education fiscal and accountability systems, deep knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) fiscal requirements, experience providing technical assistance to clients, and the ability to collaborate with colleagues across special and general education.

This position will primarily support national, state, and district special education funding and fiscal accountability projects by contributing to technical assistance, professional development, policy analysis, resource development and other client needs. We value experience with and innovative ideas for systems alignment, continuous improvement, and strategic resource management.

Position Desciption:

To help us make a positive impact on special education systems at the local, state and national levels, we'll need someone who has:

IDEA Fiscal Analysis, Consulting and Technical Assistance (80%)

• Develop staff, agency, and client knowledge on IDEA fiscal issues facing states and local education agencies.
• Develop and disseminate fiscal data collection tools and templates.
• Provide technical assistance and consultation to states and districts in virtual and on-site settings that results in enhanced capacity to meet IDEA fiscal requirements.
• Plan, establish, and facilitate professional learning networks and communities of practice.
• Provide and lead teams to provide direct technical assistance to states in virtual and on-site settings.
• Support technical assistance activities of other state and national special education and general education fiscal projects based on project needs aligned with areas of candidate's expertise.

Project Management (15%)

• Help carry out fiscal analysis and technical assistance projects, establishing the day-to-day plans and building the relationships needed to produce deliverables on time and on budget.
• Help to overseetask and projects ranging from small-scale, short-term projects to large-scale, multi-year projects.

Business Development (5%)

• Contribute to the creation of grant proposals and outreach that results in growth of WestEd services.
• Travel of about 15% of workdays can be expected for this role.

What We're Looking For:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in special education finance and administration including experience with broader special and general education accountability systems.
• Expert knowledge of IDEA and other education-related fiscal laws and requirements, state special education finance systems, and fiscal accountability.
• Administrative experience at the national, state or local level, including responsibilities for developing and overseeing implementation of special education fiscal and accountability requirements including through monitoring, technical assistance, and collecting and reporting IDEA fiscal data.
• Masters, Doctorate, or other advanced degree in special education, finance, law, public administration, business administration, organizational leadership, or related field.
• Experience developing, providing, and evaluating technical assistance and professional development.
• Experience building and leveraging relationships with state and local leaders to further priorities.
• Facilitation experience including problem-solving processes, needs assessments, and strategic planning to address identified needs, including with states and local educational agencies.
• Strong group facilitation skills including facilitating professional learning communities and communities of practice.
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills.

Other skills, abilities, and experiences of interest

• Grant/proposal development and writing.
• Knowledge of improvement science, implementation science, and other frameworks for improvement.
• Understanding and application of adult learning theory in professional development and facilitation.
• Ability to work independently and as well as function as part of a dynamic and passionate team.
• Knowledge of business development strategies and eagerness to develop new WestEd business.

*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 $104,600 to $163,500 but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $104,600 to $130,800. The actual offer considers 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 the first of the month following the 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 details about our benefits, go to: https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/#benefits

WestEd is a Drug Free Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. #LI-Remote #Circa-Remote

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)