Educational Consultant Part-time Term

Please note: This is a parttime term position

The Educational Consultant for Technical Assistance position involves work on a federally funded grant at the IRIS Center. The IRIS Center develops and disseminates engaging interactive online resources about evidencebased practices to help teachers improve the education and behavior outcomes for all students particularly struggling learners and those with disabilities. In this position you will become thoroughly knowledgeable about the hundreds of instructional resources available on the centers website and use that knowledge to help education professionals identify resources that meet their needs and then use them effectively in teacher preparation and professional development. Additionally you may conduct presentations and other dissemination activities during centersponsored online events (e.g. webinars) and at local state and national conferences. This position is a parttime term position and can move to a permanent position after one year.

The work responsibilities for this position can be performed primarily via an alternative work arrangement (i.e. remote work) during regular business hours.

Please Note: Applicants will be asked to complete a writing assignment as part of the application and selection process.

About the Work Unit

Ranked as the #1 Special Education Program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for well over a decade the Department of Special Education has long been a leader both in research and practice.

Located within the Department of Special Education and supported by the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) the IRIS Center is a small group of incredibly dedicated and talented employees who work closely together to provide resources that are accessed on our barrierfree website over 4 million times peryear.

The IRIS Center develops and disseminates free engaging online resources about evidencebased instructional and behavioral practices to support the education of all students particularly struggling learners and those with disabilities. These resources designed to bridge the researchtopractice gap are intended for use in college teacher preparation programs in professional development (PD) activities for practicing professionals and by independent learners. The array of IRIS resources includes modules case studies information briefs course/PD activities a highleverage practices alignment tool and an online glossary of disabilityrelated terms as well as supporting products to enhance their use in coursework and PD activities. All these resources are hosted for free on the centers barrierfree website.

NOTE: A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment either within the term or when the term ends.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Respond to calls and emails requesting information orassistance
• Workwith district and state personnel to identify relevant IRIS resources that meet their professional development needs; provide information and training on the effective use ofthose resources including identifying ways the resources can be sequenced and bundled to add breadth or depth to content coverage
• Workwith college and university faculty to identify relevant IRIS resources that meet their course needs
• Help coordinate and participate in training and dissemination activities (e.g. Webinarsvirtual trainings coffeechats)
• Apply for and maintain statelevel approved online provider status on behalf of the IRISCenter
• Crossreference IRIS resources with state websites; work with state personnel to update their websites with links to IRISresources
• Conduct presentations on behalf of the center (virtual local state and national conferences). Travel will be required for many of the above presentations (as per VU budget health andsafety guidelines).
• Other clearly articulated responsibilities duties and performance expectations as the roleevolves

Supervisory Relationships

This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to the administrative manager.

Qualifications

Successful completion of a Masters degree or higher in Educational Leadership Educational Administration Curriculum and Instruction or similar fields

At least 3 years experience in district or statelevel administration roles (e.g. Director or Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum)

In addition to those listed under Required Experience and Skills preference will be given to candidates who also possess the following:

• Knowledge of U.S. Dept. of Educations national priorities
• Familiarity with federal and state funding sources for educator professionaldevelopment
• Understanding of statelevel certification and licensure processes and professionaldevelopment structures

Characteristics:

In addition candidates should possess the following characteristics:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact fluidly with the diverse individuals and organizations connected with the center
• Ability to build networks among and between IRIS consumers particularly those in district andstate levelpositions
• Strong organizational and time management skills ability to work on multipleprojects simultaneously and complete withindeadlines
• Ability to ask insightful questions to ensure contentaccuracy
• Ability to give and take constructive feedback in a positive professional manner andperform multiplerevisions
• Ability to adjust flexibly to changes in priorities anddeadlines
• Demonstrate a high level of accuracy and attention todetail
• Willingness to jump in wherever needed with a solutionsfocusedmindset