Literacy Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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.

Description

WestEd is seeking an experienced technical assistance provider who is deeply committed to literacy education. The candidate will join a team that partners with states and districts to implement evidence-based literacy instruction and drive systemic improvements in learning outcomes.  

The successful candidate will bring expertise in K–5 literacy instruction, grounded in a strong understanding of the science of reading and its implications for classroom practice and successful systems that support implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction. They will also bring knowledge of the intersection of language and literacy, particularly as it relates to multilingual learners, and will approach this work with curiosity, rigor, and a commitment to co-creating solutions with partners.

This position may support work across a range of funding contexts, including federally funded technical assistance centers and state and district contracts. The Literacy Technical Assistance Specialist will lead projects focused on literacy improvement, educator effectiveness, and implementation of evidence-based literacy practices aligned with state and local priorities. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record working with state and/or local education agencies and a demonstrated ability to ask the right questions, generate and use evidence, and translate research into actionable guidance for educators and leaders.

 About the Team

WestEd's Language and Literacy team is a collaborative group of researchers, practitioners, and professional learning designers united by a shared commitment to equity and excellence in literacy education. We partner with schools, districts, and state education agencies to strengthen literacy outcomes for all learners through professional learning design and facilitation, instructional coaching, curriculum development, and program evaluation across grade levels and contexts. We bring both rigor and care to everything we do, grounding our practice in research while centering the assets and experiences of the educators and students we serve. Our work reflects deep expertise supporting multilingual learners, students who struggle with reading, and educators working in diverse and under-resourced settings. 

 Responsibilities

• Design and provide technical assistance to state and local education agency partners, with particular attention to PreK–5 literacy instruction and the needs of multilingual learners.
• Develop resources and tools in partnership with clients to advance their literacy goals and build local capacity.
• Provide expert consultation and strategic planning services for state and local education agencies, asking probing questions and using evidence to help clients set priorities and drive systemic change.
• Design and manage technical assistance projects, with a focus on improving literacy outcomes for all students — including multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and other historically underserved populations.
• Build and sustain authentic relationships with clients, partners, educators, and communities grounded in mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to outcomes for children and youth.
• Plan and facilitate professional learning events, workshops, and site visits that translate research into practice for educators and instructional leaders.
• Gather and analyze data to evaluate the impact of services and inform continuous improvement recommendations for clients.
• Represent WestEd at national and regional conferences, sharing expertise in structured literacy, multilingual learner support, and evidence-based instructional practice.
• Contribute to proposal development for small- to mid-size projects.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have experience in the following areas:

• Deep expertise in K–5 literacy development and the science of reading as it applies to classroom instruction, coaching, professional learning, and state policy.
• Knowledge of the intersection of language and literacy, with demonstrated experience designing and delivering support for multilingual learners.
• Managing small to mid-size projects with attention to quality, budget, and team coordination.
• Communicating with clarity, empathy, and integrity with the ability to assess complex client needs and develop honest, solutions-oriented responses.
• Building and sustaining relationships with clients, colleagues, partners, and funders that support long-term, sustained impact.
• At least ten years of experience in technical assistance and/or roles working with district, regional, and/or state education agencies (e.g., instructional coach, literacy coordinator, or TA provider).

Other skills, abilities, and experiences of interest: 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• High level of organizational and time management skills.
• Independence with monitoring calendar and collaborating virtually and in-person.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities under time-restricted conditions.
• Ability to run virtual meetings and presentations with large and small groups.

 About the Work

Literacy TA Specialists at WestEd manage a portfolio of state and district partnerships, typically spanning multiple projects at different stages. Day-to-day work includes direct client consultation, professional learning design and facilitation, resource development, and project documentation. You’ll work largely independently, with support from a collaborative team. Most projects are grounded in the science of reading and structured literacy, with a recurring focus on multilingual learners and historically underserved students. Travel is expected up to 30%, with remote work the norm between engagements.

 Education

• Master’s or Doctorate in education, literacy, curriculum and instruction, or a related field preferred.

*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 $106,000 to $165,000, but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $106,000 to $132,500. 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 and immediately 100% vested

· Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Account option

· All health/welfare benefits are effective the first of the month following the hire date

· PTO: 19 days (increases to 21 days beginning the third year of employment), 12 paid holidays

· Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary, max of 500k

· 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)