Blue Engine Independent Consultant Network - TN Technical Assistance

Type of Opportunity: Independent Contractor (1099)
Location: Tennessee, with regular in-person work and travel within an assigned region and potentially across the state
Engagement Period: Project-based opportunities throughout FY27
Openings: Approximately 10 consultants anticipated
Compensation: Generally $50–$75/hour; $300–$450/half day; $600–$900/full day; project-based fees for some engagements
Applications: Reviewed on a rolling basis

There’s no such thing as a “typical” learner.

Blue Engine is an education nonprofit focused on ending long-standing patterns of disproportionate student outcomes by shifting the paradigm of “typical teaching.” We partner with schools, districts, and states to strengthen educators’ ability to ensure that all students can access and engage in grade-level learning every day.

Our work helps educators and education systems design for learner variability through:

• Teacher development

• Instructional leader development

• Systems-level consulting

Across our partnerships, we prioritize high-quality instructional materials, inclusive instructional practices, educator collaboration, and the systems and conditions required for strong implementation.

As Blue Engine launches its statewide technical assistance partnership with the Tennessee Department of Education, we are seeking experienced Tennessee-based independent consultants to support high-quality implementation of RTI²-A+B across local education agencies (LEAs).

Consultants will work directly with district and school leaders, instructional coaches, interventionists, and educators to strengthen RTI²-A+B systems and inclusive instruction. Depending on the engagement, this may include diagnosing implementation needs, developing support plans, facilitating professional learning, coaching educators and leaders, and supporting implementation and continuous improvement.

This is a 1099 independent contractor opportunity, not a full-time position. The amount, timing, and duration of work will vary based on project and partner needs. Each engagement will be established through a project-specific scope of work defining services, deliverables, timeline, compensation, and travel expectations.

Consultants selected through this opportunity will also become part of Blue Engine’s broader Independent Consultant Network and may be considered for other project-based opportunities aligned with their expertise and availability.

Depending on the engagement and LEA needs, consultants may:

• Diagnose implementation needs by developing an understanding of LEA context, priorities, systems, strengths, and challenges and using evidence to identify root causes and priorities.

• Develop and support implementation plans with district and school leaders, including intended outcomes, milestones, evidence of progress, and sustainability strategies.

• Facilitate professional learning and collaborative learning experiences responsive to local context and Tennessee’s RTI²-A+B guidance.

• Coach educators and leaders to strengthen inclusive instruction, tiered academic and behavioral supports, and alignment among Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III instruction and intervention.

• Develop or adapt practical tools and resources that translate guidance and evidence-based practices into supports responsive to LEA and school needs.

• Monitor implementation and adjust support based on implementation, perception, practice, and student data.

• Coordinate and document engagement activities, including scheduling, communication, materials, data collection, progress, and follow-up.

• Build partner capacity to sustain effective RTI²-A+B implementation with decreasing dependence on Blue Engine over time.

Blue Engine is particularly interested in consultants with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• RTI/MTSS and tiered academic and behavioral intervention

• Inclusive Tier 1 instruction and designing for learner variability

• Special education and specially designed instruction

• Multilingual learner instruction and language development

• Instructional coaching and adult learning

• Data-informed instructional improvement

• District- or school-level implementation and systems change

Applicants do not need expertise in every area. We will consider consultants for opportunities aligned with their experience, strengths, location, and availability.

We may contact consultants when an opportunity aligns with their expertise, location, and availability.

Before work begins, each engagement will include a written scope of work outlining:

• Services and deliverables

• Timeline and milestones

• Preparation, delivery, documentation, and follow-up expectations

• Blue Engine and consultant points of contact

• Compensation

• Travel expectations and reimbursements, if applicable

• Confidentiality, data privacy, and ownership requirements

Consultants are responsible for executing agreed-upon services and deliverables in alignment with the milestones and quality standards established in the scope of work.

Independent consultants are not eligible for Blue Engine employee benefits, paid leave, or retirement benefits.

Compensation varies based on the engagement type, required expertise, scope, and available project funding. Depending on the work, compensation may be structured as:

• Hourly work: generally $50–$75/hour

• Facilitation or coaching: generally $300–$450 for a half-day or $600–$900 for a full-day engagement, depending on scope

• Design, research, or advisory work: project- or deliverable-based fees established based on the scope of work

Half- and full-day engagement fees are intended to account for the reasonable preparation, delivery, documentation, and follow-up associated with the engagement.

These ranges are general guidance; rates may vary for specific projects based on the nature and complexity of the work and available funding. Final compensation and any eligible travel expenses will be established in the project-specific scope of work.

Applicants should submit:

• A current résumé

• A brief description of the expertise areas for which they would like to be considered

• Examples of relevant experience and impact

• Their Tennessee location and the regions of the state in which they are available to work in person

• General availability during FY27

• A relevant work sample, when available

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Blue Engine may invite applicants to participate in an interview, submit an additional work sample, or complete a brief demonstration aligned to potential assignments.

Joining the consultant network does not guarantee a contract, a specific assignment, a volume of work, or a number of hours. Blue Engine will contact consultants as relevant opportunities become available.

We are committed to building a diverse network of consultants whose identities, experiences, and perspectives strengthen our work and our ability to serve varied communities.