Senior Project Specialist, NAEP Technical Support (Part-Time)

The Part-Time Senior Project Specialist manages research, operational, and analytic activities that support AIR’s NAEP Technical Support Contract. The role leads reviews across the assessment cycle of assessment data, results and technical documentation, and provides support for externally facing research, assessment, and partnership initiatives and business development opportunities. Engagements are typically project- or pursuit-based, part-time, and may vary in duration and hours depending on project needs.

Candidates hired for the position may work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Managing technical reviews of National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) data files, data companion, technical documents, Nation’s Report Card, and other NAEP products and publications on a cyclical basis.
• Supporting the leadership of the NAEP Validity Panel, through reviews of assessment procedures and advising.
• Supporting the planning, execution and delivery of NAEP assessment systems activities, including attending systems update meetings; monitoring, documenting, and tracking bugs and known issues; participating in milestone and user acceptance testing reviews; and coordinating with project staff to identify and communicate systems-related issues.
• Overseeing reviews in support of NAEP Reading assessment content development, including the review of items, passages, and related materials for content quality and alignment and providing feedback throughout development and review cycles.
• Assisting NAEP project director and deputy director in project management activities.
• Leading business development activities through proposal management and writing, market research, and capture planning.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, economics, education, psychology, political science, communications, or related field and 8+ years of experience in project management, data analysis, and staffing processes preferably in a consulting or research environment.
• PMP Certification or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of NAEP content, procedures, and operations.
• Experience working with the Department of Education, including the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
• Experience overseeing reviews of national education reports for U.S. audiences.
• Experience collaborating and coordinating with the federal government to conduct assessments and surveys.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams on federally funded research projects.

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills for working with stakeholders at various levels and from a range of backgrounds.
• High attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Strong project management skills, including timeline tracking, risk identification, and managing competing priorities.
• Self-motivated and reliable, with the ability to work independently and take ownership of complex tasks with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication skills with a commitment to validity, clarity, and evidence-based messaging.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners in a virtual work environment.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.