Ed-Fi Implementation Consultant

The Ed-Fi Implementation Consultant is an independent contractor engaged to lead and oversee the implementation of Williamsburg Learning’s Ed-Fi sync system, which synchronizes Student Information System (SIS) data with state education agencies. Working under the sponsorship of the Engineering Lead, the consultant sets the technical architecture and certification strategy (beginning with Arizona’s AZEDS, with Texas TSDS to follow), provides day-to-day technical director to the full-stack engineer, and serves as WL’s expert liaison to state agencies. The engagement emphasizes delivering a reusable, well-documented system and transferring knowledge to WL’s internal team for long-term ownership.

Essential Duties (Top 5 Roles)

• Implementation Oversight & Technical Direction

• Own end-to-end delivery of WL’s Ed-Fi sync system (Core engine plus state layers), setting architecture and sequencing across the rollout phases
• Provide day-to-day technical direction to the full-stack engineer - reviewing designs, data mappings, and implementation decisions

• Coordinate with the Engineering Lead and IT team on priorities, dependencies, and timelines

• Ed-Fi Architecture & Standards Governance

• Guide the design of the state-agnostic Core Sync Service so it remains reusable across Arizona, Texas, and future states
• Validate resource-mapping coverage against Ed-Fi SIS v5 and state requirements; identify and prioritize SIS data gaps

• Define change-detection, dependency-ordering, error-handling, and retry strategies consistent with Ed-Fi best practices.

• State Certification Strategy & Agency Liaison

• Lead the AzEDS vendor certification effort with the Arizona Department of Education, from pre-certification scoping through live certification sessions
• Own the certification readiness checklist (resource mappers, Identity API, descriptor mappings, attendance aggregation, error handling)

• Establish the roadmap for subsequent states (e.g., Texas TSDS via the Ed-Fi Alliance) and advise on scope, effort, and sequencing

• Data Mapping, Validation & Compliance Advisory

• Oversee descriptor namespace mapping and state-specific extensions (e.g., AZ membership FTE, instructional minutes, the 915 multi-year process)
• Advise on integrity-rule pre-validation and resolution of state validation errors (e.g., AzEDS integrity rules, TSDS Level 1-3 validations)

• Ensure submissions meet state reporting requirements (ADM, PEIMS) and that data handling and audit practices protect student PII

• Risk Management, Documentation & Knowledge Transfer

• Identify project risks (scope, timeline, agency dependencies) and recommend mitigations
• Ensure architecture decisions, data mappings, and operational runbooks are documented for long-term WL ownership
• Transfer knowledge to WL’s internal engineering team so the system remains maintainable after the engagement ends

Do you have experience in Vendor communication?, * Demonstrated, hands-on Ed-Fi expertise - prior delivery of Ed-Fi ODS/API integrations and state-reporting systems

• Direct experience achieving state certification (AzEDS vendor certification and/or Ed-Fi Alliance SIS certification; TSDS experience a plus)
• Deep knowledge of the Ed-Fi Data Standard - resources, natural keys, descriptors, dependency ordering, and OAuth 2.0 client credentials
• Strong K-12 / SIS domain knowledge (students, enrollment, attendance, grades, transcripts, programs, discipline)
• Technical leadership - able to set architecture and direct an engineer’s work across PHP, MySQL, REST, and queue-based systems
• Experience working directly with state education agencies (ADE, TEA, or equivalents)
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, with a track record of transferring knowledge to internal teams
• Strongly preferred: multi-state Ed-Fi rollouts, validation/integrity-rule resolution, and compliance-driven software delivery

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Remote engagement with availability during U.S. Mountain Time business hours for collaboration and certification sessions
• Engagement scope and hours (fractional or full-time) defined in the contract/statement of work
• Extended periods of computer/screen work; clear written and verbal communication across a distributed team

Pulled from the full job description

• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays, This is an independent contractor engagement. Employee benefits (health, 401(k) retirement, paid holidays, and paid time off) do not apply. Engagement length, scope, and rate are defined in the contract or statement of work.

Engagement Rate

To be determined based on scope and prevailing market rates for Ed-Fi implementation consultants (day or hourly basis).

At Williamsburg Learning (WL), we aim to prepare promising students for meaningful lives as principled leaders. We partner with schools like Williamsburg Academy, Leadership Academy of Utah, and Williamsburg Academy of Colorado to deliver transformational learning experiences that spark curiosity, growth, and purpose.

We live by our values-Growth, Right Action, and a Culture of Belonging. We believe work should be meaningful and fun. Our team is authentic, connected, and committed to doing the right thing for each other and the students we serve.

If our mission and culture resonate with you, we would love to have you on our team!