Educational Consultant-RTI/MTSS

The Technical Assistance Team Consultant is a part of the Tennessee Tiered Supports Center (Tennessee TSC) of Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. The Technical Assistance Team Consultant is a key contributor to the provision of technical assistance and training to local districts and schools working to establish organizational structures and systems necessary for the implementation of Tennessee’s frameworks for tiered support, RTI2-A and RTI2-B . The consultant will train and support district leaders, administrators, school teams, and other stakeholder groups to develop and efficiently implement the frameworks to address district-identified priorities and support all students. This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week). Some travel throughout the state may be required. 

This position is funded through a TN Technical Assistance Network grant from the TN Department of Education. The purpose of the grant is to provide training and support to improve district and school capacity to implement RTI2-A and RTI2-B efficiently and effectively; training and support will focus on strengthening and streamlining implementation of the frameworks’ common features. Key components of the center’s scope of work include: (a) developing core trainings (i.e., overview, Tiers I-III), online modules, and resources related to implementation RTI2-A and RTI2-B; (b) district coaching and consultation to improve district and school implementation of  RTI2-A and RTI2-B; (c) establishing multidisciplinary communities of practice across the state; (d) facilitating professional learning communities focused on strengthening family engagement; and (c) developing a recognition program for model implementation of RTI2-A and RTI2-B. 

This position also involves ongoing collaboration with the TDOE, contracted affiliates of the TNTennessee Technical Assistance Network, and team members subcontracted through partnering universities. 

About the Work Unit: 

This project is housed within Vanderbilt’s Department of Special Education. The Department has a history of significant and continuous impact on the field of special education. Faculty and staff are committed to equipping students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to provide exceptional services and supports to people with disabilities and their families. The Department has been ranked first among all special education departments in the country in terms of leadership and productivity for much of the last 20 years by U.S. News and World Report. More information can be found at http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/ 

Duties and Responsibilities

In collaboration with other team members, the Technical Assistance Team Consultant will carry out the following activities: 

Training and Technical Assistance 

• Participate in professional development activities (e.g., internal trainings, conferences, organized literature studies) to establish and maintain expert-level and up-to-date knowledge and skills related to academic and behavioral instruction and intervention 
• Consult with district leadership teams to strengthen infrastructures necessary for effective and efficient implementation of RTI2-A and RTI2-B at district and school levels. Consultants will support districts in: 
  • Establishing and promoting a shared vision for implementation of RTI2-A and RTI2-B 
  • Managing and coordinating the allocation of resources to transform the district vision into action 
  • Identifying and removing or addressing barriers (technical and adaptive) to effective RTI2-A and RTI2-B implementation via policy, regulation, funding, and support 
  • alignment with district goals and objectives
  • Basing decisions on current data, standards for performance, and alignment with district goals and objectives
  •  Adopting processes and procedures and investing in a system to collect, summarize, and report outcome and fidelity data 
  • Evaluating implementation and performance outcomes against district goals 
  • Resourcing schools with time, knowledge, and expertise to select and implement appropriate processes and practices for meaningful change 
  • Selecting leaders who possess knowledge, skills, and experience in RTI2-A and RTI2-B 
  • Developing skill- and knowledge-based competencies of district and school personnel through a coordinated professional development plan 
  • Coaching school personnel to implement practices and processes introduced in trainings with fluency and fidelity 
• Assist districts in the use of root cause analysis and needs assessment to identify and target areas of RTI2-A and RTI2-B implementation for improvement 
• Support the development and execution of data-driven, district-level implementation plans designed to strengthen drivers of effective and sustained implementation systems 
• Plan, prepare, and conduct training activities for district personnel; support the preparation of trainings and coaching plans to be executed by district-level personnel

Collaboration 

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with district and school leaders 
• Attend and facilitate regular meetings with district leadership teams 
• Collaborate with the team coordinator to ensure regional technical assistance is provided uniformly across the state 
• Provide feedback to the center’s content development team to improve existing trainings and those in development; and communicate local content needs 
• Collaborate with the center’s content development team to co-develop training content, materials, and resources to complement the center’s technical assistance and trainings 
• Co-facilitate professional learning communities organized to provide targeted technical assistance and a support network to districts with similar needs 

Evaluation 

• Facilitate the timely collection of regional outcome data as required by the center 
• Share and support the analysis and interpretation of outcome data in district leadership meetings; support action planning 

Dissemination, Research, and Media 

• Contribute to dissemination activities through conference presentations, web-based seminars, evidence-based practice briefs, strategy and tool guides, manuscripts submitted to peer-reviewed journals, and preparation of project reports 
• Promote the center and effective RTI2-A and RTI2-B practices through social media networking and contributions to social media and web content  

Accountability 

• Participate in center-wide meetings to ensure uniform and coordinated technical assistance across the state 
• Meet with center leadership and technical assistance directors regularly to discuss the progress and needs of the region’s technical assistance 

Supervisory Relationships: 

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Principal and Co-Principal Investigators of the Tennessee Tiered Supports Center. 

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in special education, education, or a related discipline (e.g., school counseling, school psychology) is required
• At least two years of school-based experience with demonstrated knowledge in tiered academic and/or behavioral interventions and supports is required
• At least one year of experience providing consultation or support with school-district central office staff (e.g., department directors, administrators, or coordinators) is necessary
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks and meet deadlines 
• Strong written and verbal communication, as well as public speaking skills 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multiple people as part of a collaborative team 

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. 

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.