The World at Abt 

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges. 

We are a team of 3,000 people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game. 

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you. 

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance. 

Opportunity 

Abt Associates seeks a qualified Principal Associate with expertise in analytical statistics, evaluation, and evaluation technical assistance to join our Research, Monitoring, & Evaluation Capability and play a leadership role on project workfor the U.S. Department of Education (ED). As a member of the Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation Capability team, you will conduct research, monitoring, and evaluation services at the highest levels of quality and rigor to generate evidence-based insights. 

The Principal Associate will serve as Principal Investigator on evaluation studies for ED and provide strategic expertise on ED-funded evaluation technical assistance contracts. The ideal candidate will have subject matter expertise in K-16 education, be highly knowledgeable about the What Works Clearinghouse Standards, and have demonstrated experience overcoming barriers to field-based evaluations through creative evaluation design and execution.

Key Roles and Responsibilities 

• Provide technical leadership on education evaluation technical assistance strategies and tasks, leading and mentoring teams of experienced evaluation technical assistance providers.
• May also lead education evaluation projects by providing demonstrated expertise in the design or execution of impact analyses and other technical tasks, including leading and mentoring associated teams.
• Contribute subject matter expertise in K-16 education particularly focused on high need students and with strategies to improve state education agency, district, educator, and/or student outcomes.
• Review, analyze, and synthesize information using appropriate practices and techniques and ensure that projects are conducted with sound practices and techniques.
• Provide individual evaluation technical assistance to evaluators designing and conducting impact and implementation studies of educational strategies to improve student achievement. This includes applying What Works Clearinghouse standards to evaluation designs to ensure valid impact evaluations and providing guidance on developing intervention logic models and measures of fidelity of implementation.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team by communicating respectfully, meeting deadlines, and exercising initiative to resolve complex challenges.
• Communicate clearly and collegially with evaluators of differing technical abilities and to establish strong and effective relationships with the recipients of evaluation technical assistance.
• Develop guidance and deliver presentations on evaluation issues to audiences including federal grant program staff, IES, and evaluators.
• Represent Abt in a professional manner and effectively communicate with clients, external partners, and the public.
• Develop and disseminate project deliverables and other products to share project findings through papers, technical reports, client briefings, presentations, blog posts, podcasts, videos and/or social media.
• Lead business development activities including proposal writing and development.
• Cultivate and maintain excellent business development relationships with clients and external partners.

What We Value 

• Demonstrated technical expertise related to providing evaluation technical assistance to support federally-funded state and local program evaluations.
• Exceptional quantitative skills with demonstrated technical expertise related to experimental and quasi-experimental designs for program evaluation in education.
• Expertise in advanced statistical analysis and its applications in education research. 
• In-depth knowledge of What Works Clearinghouse standards. 
• A record of publications, presentations, and other knowledge-dissemination activities. 
• Aptitude and interest in mentoring less-experienced staff and managing multidisciplinary teams. 
• A collegial demeanor and interest in mentoring the next generation of evaluators and evaluation technical assistance providers.
• Strong commitment to Abt’s mission and to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This includes a commitment to incorporating principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion into research and interactions with colleagues; prioritizing understanding multiple alternative perspectives; and embracing diverse perspectives, abilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, ages, gender identities and expressions, educational experiences, and life stories.
• Demonstrated experience translating research and making it accessible to practice, policy, and/or government audiences.
• Demonstrated success with business development and proposal or grant writing. 
• A well-rounded interpersonal skill set with a demonstrated ability to build relationships with clients, funders, and education leaders, and to work effectively in a team environment. 
• Masters degree 15 years of relevant experience, or PhD 10 years of relevant experience 

What We Offer 

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply. 

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits, flexible schedules, and professional development. 

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of approximately $139,000 to $222,000 and may vary by ten percent depending on candidate geographic location. Salary offers are made based on internal equity and market analysis. 

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.  

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