Position Title: Director, REL West

Reports to: Program Director

Program: Regional Educational Laboratory West

Salary: Competitive Salary (DOE)

Location: Alameda, CA; Los Alamitos, CA; Phoenix, AZ; San Francisco, CA

Time Base: 100%

Position No: 5672

WestEd is a non-profit research, development and service agency dedicated to promoting equity and excellence in education and to improving outcomes for children, youth and adults, especially those who are least well served by current systems. Drawing on the best knowledge from research and practice, WestEd’s 850+ staff members work with practitioners, scholars, policy makers, and community members to address education’s most critical issues, from early childhood intervention to school-to-work transition, and from curriculum, instruction and assessment to school safety.

WestEd is currently seeking a Director of REL West. One of ten regional educational laboratories, REL West bridges research and practice in four West states: Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. From its origins as a regional laboratory, WestEd, as well as REL West, is governed by representatives of public agencies in those four states.

REL West is a major component of the Innovation Studies Program. Innovation Studies staff conduct applied research using a wide range of research methods, from data for improvement in formative cycles to large-scale experimental studies of well-developed programs. Current areas of substantive focus include postsecondary transitions, teacher preparation, and mathematics teaching and learning.

Position Description
Authorized under the Education Sciences Reform Act, and administered by the Institute of Education Sciences, the Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) are a network of 10 contracts, each serving the needs of a regional set of states. REL West serves Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. A five-year contract began in January 2017.

The role of a regional educational laboratory is to serve as a bridge between research and practice, by understanding the distinct needs of the region, providing access to high-quality research, and assisting with the interpretation and application of research findings. The overall goal is to increase use of data and evidence in decision-making to demonstrably improve outcomes for educators and students.

In the current contract, research partnerships are the primary structure through which RELs carry out their work; REL West has nine partnerships in place for 2017-18. Just-in-Time studies are a vehicle for additional research of immediate utility to regional stakeholders, including state policymakers. In addition, broad dissemination of information provides access for a wider audience, through newsletters, print products, infographics, video training materials, and events, to reach the “last mile” in application of research. For further information, see the REL West website.

The Director provides leadership to ensure that REL West work addresses regional priorities, engages educators and policymakers in evidence-based improvement of outcomes, and operates appropriately within IES guidelines.

Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities of the program director will include:

• Provide leadership in conceptualization of the REL West program of work, in ways that are consistent with IES guidelines, responsive to regional needs and opportunities, and forward looking.
   
• Ensure positive visibility for REL West in the region and nationally.
   
• Represent REL West with IES in regular, responsive communication and formal venues such as Directors meetings. Build mutual understanding of current and evolving strategies.
   
• Represent REL West with the WestEd Board of Directors, which also serves as the REL West Governing Board; provide bi-annual updates and seek formal Board input and review.
   
• Conduct high-level outreach to the four western states. Coordinate with the comprehensive centers and participate in meetings with each chief state school officer and/or his/her delegate and leadership team. Maintain a body of work that meets important needs of these chiefs.
   
• Effectively manage a complex contract with a hybrid cost structure, layered peer review process, and hundreds of deliverables annually.
   
• Motivate, guide, and support staff to work effectively. Directly supervise some staff. Build staff capacity to identify new opportunities and extend work in ways that increase impact.
   
• Identify and promote ways that REL West can leverage and enhance other WestEd expertise and assets.
   
• Assure that all program initiatives, products, and services are of high quality, meet the needs and expectations of clients, and are delivered on time, on budget, and in compliance with contractual requirements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in leading a large contract or initiative.
   
• Deep knowledge of education research methods and bodies of research; a track-record of research publications.
   
• Knowledge of the current national and regional policy landscape.
   
• Comfortable and effective working in academic, political, and K-12 education environments.
   
• Understanding and ability to interpret and work within Institute of Education Sciences (IES) policies and procedures.
   
• Excellent organizational, administrative, managerial, interpersonal, and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with diverse staff, colleagues, and clients from across the organization and across the nation.
   
• Superior communication skills, including excellent writing and presentation skills; comfort with large and small groups and with diverse audiences.
   
• Doctorate in education or a related field.
   
• An abiding commitment to equity, excellence, and having an impact on the lives of children.
   
• Must be authorized to work in USA; visa sponsorship not available.

Application Process

We invite you to apply today.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to complete the online application process, please call 415.615.3170. Please leave a message and a member of our Human Resources team will return your call within three business days. Alternatively, you may send an email to accommodationrequest@wested.org with "Applicant Accommodation" in the subject line of the email. Please note that this phone number and email are only for those individuals with a disability who would like to request an accommodation to apply for a job. If you are not an individual with a disability and have a question or comment, please email recruitingassistance@wested.org.

Human Resources
WestEd
730 Harrison Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
http://www.WestEd.org
 

WestEd is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veterans’ status or other status protected by applicable law.

• All health benefits effective first of the month following date of hire
• 15% contribution toward retirement effective day one of employment
• 15 vacation days, which will increase to 20 days per year beginning the 4th year of employment
• 12 holidays
• 12 days sick leave per year