About WestEd

As a community of over 1000 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.

Furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion is core to who we are and how we work. We are committed to working with our clients to illuminate and address disparities, value and elevate diverse voices, and ensure equitable access to our resources and services. Please review our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on our Careers page at wested.org.  Come and join us!

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.

Content Area Description

Our team of approximately 40 people is committed to improving equity and accessibility for learning in the digital age. We develop and research promising technological innovations across content domains, including digital-era disciplines like computer science, computational thinking, and data science.

We believe in the importance of being nimble and competitive to provide the highest quality insights for clients and stakeholders and collaborate with colleagues across our division, which includes the Mathematics as well as the Science and Engineering Content Area teams. In fact, our project teams are often dynamic, which means that we can be working on a number of different project teams at any given time. This organizational structure creates more coherence across our work, consistency in the quality of our work, and clarity for staff on opportunities for career advancement across multiple pathways and job families that are all critical to our work’s long-term impact and success.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a talented and experienced Senior AI/Machine Learning Expert in Education to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading WestEd’s AI and machine learning initiatives that improve student outcomes, personalized learning, and educational processes, leveraging advanced AI technologies. They will analyze educational data, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and build partnerships and collaborations with other organizations to advance the field of AI and machine learning in education.

Core Focus Areas

Leading Projects and Tasks in Major Projects

• Analyze educational data to identify patterns and trends in learning and social emotion that inform decision-making.
• Oversee teams of collecting data, follow policies and procedures to maintain data security, and manage the data lifecycle for research projects.
• Lead teams to design, implement, analyze, and report on the analysis of advanced technology programs.
• Develop and deliver training to build WestEd internal members’ capacity on AI and machine learning concepts and techniques.

Proposal and Resource Development

• Lead AI and machine learning initiatives to improve student outcomes, personalized learning, and educational processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for using AI and machine learning to optimize education delivery and student success.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities from public and private sources, including grants, contracts, and partnerships.

Dissemination and Outreach

• Disseminate findings and innovations through publications, presentations, and other channels for a diverse audience.
• Build connections and collaborations with other institutions to secure partnerships and opportunities to advance the field of AI and machine learning in education.

What We’re Looking For

• PhD degree in learning technology, computer science, machine learning, or any field that provides the experience to perform the responsibilities outlined above.
• At least 5 years of experience in applying AI and machine learning techniques to education-related problems and a vision to use AI to advance education.
• Strong understanding of machine learning techniques, such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing.
• Strong experience in data mining and analytics of large datasets of CSTEM learning
• Proven track record in securing funding from public and private sources.
• Strong communication and interpersonal collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to bring together and lead teams, work as a team player, and to treat staff and clients respectfully
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain client relationships, especially with education leaders, researchers, and practitioners
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of publishing and presenting research in the field of AI and machine learning in education.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, clients, practitioners, and external partners from a wide variety of professional, educational, and cultural backgrounds

Other Degrees, Skills, Abilities, and Experiences of Interest

• Demonstrated experience in mentoring and coaching team members in AI and machine learning.
• Experience with the complexities of K-12 or postsecondary school systems and familiarity with state and federal education policies.
• Expertise in CSTEM learning and knowledge of research methods
• Experience with various educational programs designed to increase equity and broaden access to high-quality educational experiences for underrepresented groups

If you are a passionate and experienced AI/Machine Learning expert with a desire to use your skills to improve education outcomes, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

This position is remote. Travel to other WestEd offices, research sites, and conferences is required on an as-needed basis.

*Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

The full salary range for this position, WestEd level H, is $99,360 to $149,000 but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $99,360 to $124,200. The actual offer takes into account 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

· Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts

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

· PTO: 3 weeks vacation (increases to 4 weeks beginning the 4th year of employment), paid holidays, and 12 days paid sick leave per year

· Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary

· Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives

· Professional development opportunities & mentorship program

For more detail about our benefits, go to: https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/benefits/

Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of social and professional learning communities, such as Employee Resource groups, the Data Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation PLC, and the WestEd Parent Community, just to name a few.  We hope you’ll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more! #LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid

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)