Senior Education Cost Methodologist

Join AIR as a Senior Education Cost Methodologist with our Education Systems & Policy (ESP) team and be involved in our longstanding legacy of providing rigorous, impartial evidence-based research and resources on pressing and perennial education issues. The ESP team studies and supports organizations and infrastructure at the local, state, and national levels focusing on the people who operate PK-12 education systems to improve the organization of schooling and advance the organizations within those systems.

The Senior Education Cost Methodologist will have expertise in the economic evaluation of education, workforce, and social benefit programs and will join AIR's growing team of national experts. The ideal candidate should have expertise in cost analysis, including cost-effectiveness analysis, benefit-cost analysis, and using cost data to inform resource allocation decision-making. Training and experience using Resource Cost Modeling or the Ingredients Method to evaluate policies, programs, and resources are essential. Additionally, the candidate should have expertise and experience in applying state-of-the-art education finance research methods to address policy-relevant questions about the adequacy, equity, and efficiency of federal, state, and local funding systems.

This position has the flexibility to work remote from anywhere in the United States or from any of AIR's U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

AIR's commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone's unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by clicking here.

The responsibilities for the position include:

Develop research designs for the economic evaluation of education, workforce, and social benefit programs.
• Collecting, analyzing, and reporting primary data related to the resources and costs for education and other types of workforce and social benefit programs using Resource Cost Modeling or the Ingredients Method.
• Applying appropriate quantitative evaluation techniques to collect and analyze data.
• Identifying and implementing empirical approaches to investigating educational cost across a variety of areas including early PK-16 education, workforce, youth development, health, and social welfare programs.
• Manage or lead projects and tasks, assuming greater responsibility for project management over time.
• Prepare written materials (e.g., technical reports, policy briefs) that describe study findings in ways that accessible and impactful to policymakers and other decision makers.
• Present findings to clients, professional associations, and the public.
• Participate in, and where appropriate lead, efforts to prepare research proposals that generate external funding for education finance-related research.
• Supervise and provide mentorship and support to junior staff by sharing approaches to solving concrete problems and providing feedback on their work.

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• PhD with a minimum of 3 years of experience or a Master's degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience in education policy, economics, or related social science field with expertise in the economics of education, education finance, and/or educational policy setting and/or conducting education research.
• Expertise in cost analysis, including cost-effectiveness analysis, benefit cost analysis, and using cost data to inform resource allocation decision making, and training and experience using Resource Cost Modeling or the Ingredients Method to evaluate policies, programs, and resources.
• Experience applying rigorous economic evaluation methods, including Resource Cost Modeling and the Ingredients Method, and the ability to communicate effectively about these methods to non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated experience collecting and analyzing a wide variety of primary and secondary data including fiscal data detailing school and district expenditures.
• Expertise in advanced social and behavioral science statistical methods including the use of regression models and rigorous program evaluation design including longitudinal data analysis.
• Experience with client-focused and collaborative project work and pursuing externally funded research.

Skills:

• Advanced expertise in using MS Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Proficiency in a commonly used statistical application (e.g., Stata, R, etc.) and open to learning new statistical tools as required by different projects.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment with individuals at all levels and from diverse background.

Disclosures:

This position is open to U.S. citizens only. Upon hire, incumbent will be required to obtain clearance through the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (e-QIP) system.

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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

AIR's Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers an anticipated annual salary of $118,000-$135,000. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

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