Education Research and Evaluation Consultant (Consultant In Teacher Preparation/Program Evaluation And Research)

Job Description and Duties Under the direction of the Director of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment, the Education Research and Evaluation Consultant (EREC) leads and supports work related to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of systems that monitor and enhance the quality of educator preparation. The Consultant plays a key role in ensuring that Commission-adopted assessments for Education Specialist candidates and accountability tools are valid, equitable, and meaningful, and that they contribute to a high-quality preparation experience for all candidates, including those preparing to serve students with disabilities. This position focuses on improving outcomes and maximizing the return on investment for aspiring and current educators by using data, research, and stakeholder input to guide program design, policy, and system-wide improvement efforts across California's educator preparation landscape. The Consultant performs work in support of educator preparation program quality and effectiveness and works independently and collaboratively to develop and implement assessment, accountability, and improvement activities aligned with Commission priorities. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Special Requirements • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired. Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: The ideal candidate will have direct experience in educator preparation, accreditation, or related education policy work, particularly in areas involving performance assessments, accountability systems, or program evaluation and as a special education teacher. Familiarity with Commission-adopted assessments such as the CalTPA, and knowledge of California's educator credentialing and accreditation processes, are strongly preferred. Additional preferred knowledge areas include: appropriate accommodations for each of the Education Specialist credential areas; multimodal learning; IDEA law; assistive technology; curricula for specialized populations Knowledge of improvement science and experience designing and carrying out research that informs policy or improves practice, particularly in support of program quality and continuous improvement, is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate skill in communicating complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences and in supporting capacity-building through training, outreach, or technical assistance. A background in leading or contributing to improvement initiatives in educational settings, especially in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, is also highly valued. A master's or doctoral degree in Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Education Policy, Educational Psychology, or a related field is preferred. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a narrative discussion of how your education, training, experience, and skills meet the minimum and desirable qualifications and qualify you for this position. The SOQ also documents your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Resumes and cover letters do not take the place of the SOQ. Applications submitted without the required SOQ will be considered incomplete and may not be considered for this position. Instructions: • Please discuss the relevant experience, education, and professional development you bring to the position of Education Research and Evaluation Assessment Consultant, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed. In your discussion, please explain how you can apply your experience to the Consultant position. Please be sure to highlight experiences with performance assessments and/or teaching in a Special Education context. • The statement should be typed, with 12-point font, single-spaced, on standard-sized paper (8.5" x 11"), and no more than 1 page.