Professional Development Specialist, Part-Time (onsite, Humboldt, CA)

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.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Professional Development Specialist (Local Trainer) to join a federally funded research initiative aimed at improving early math outcomes for preschoolers. Based in Humboldt County, CA, this part-time role will involve providing direct coaching and support to prekindergarten teachers, conducting fidelity observations, and assisting with research-related tasks. The Specialist will be the primary in-school representative of the project and a key driver of professional learning and implementation success. This is a part-time position requiring availability to work Monday through Friday during typical school hours for approximately 4-8 hours per week.

What We're Looking For

• Experienced educator or coach with a background in early childhood education.
• Familiarity with early math instruction and curriculum delivery.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage schedules, conduct regular classroom visits, and maintain accurate documentation.
• Self-starter who collaborates effectively with teachers, administrators, and a remote project team.

Core Focus Areas

• Early childhood math education.
• Teacher professional development and coaching.
• Curriculum implementation support.
• Classroom-based data collection and research.
• Local school engagement and liaison activities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct classroom fidelity visits to support and observe math instruction.
• Model effective math teaching practices and provide feedback during visits.
• Complete paper-based fidelity forms and electronic visit summary forms on the same day as visits.
• Review teacher documentation (online Digital-ARS & Math Mastery records) and collect Parent Feedback Forms.
• Ship all completed paper data, including fidelity forms and parent feedback forms, to the central office on a regular basis.
• Serve as a local project liaison, fielding questions and referring unresolved issues to the Regional Trainer.
• Support setup, scheduling, and delivery of professional development workshops.
• Track student participation and assist with research-related logistics (e.g., consent forms, survey collection, shipping materials).
• Attend all project PD workshops and communicate weekly updates to the Regional Trainer.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in child development, early childhood/elementary education, special education, or related field required.
• Teaching credential or master's degree preferred.
• Experience providing professional development or coaching to preschool or kindergarten teachers.
• Background in early math content and curriculum implementation.
• Ability to be onsite within the designated locations within the Humboldt area and occastion travel to Sacramento or Alameda, CA.

Other Skills

• Strong time management and organizational skills
• High attention to detail in documentation and data collection
• Flexibility and responsiveness to evolving school and project needs
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication

*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: Compensation for this temporary, part-time role is $50 per hour.

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-CA #Circa-CA

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)