Educational Measurement Innovation Advocate

Silicon Valley, California

Post

Initial Review Date: April 28, 2021

UC Santa Cruz staff jobs are posted until filled. Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. NOTE: Materials submitted after the IRD will be forwarded only at the request of the hiring unit. Submit your materials before the IRD to ensure consideration by the hiring unit.

 

Dept Marketing Statement

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 15 members (13 states, one territory and the Bureau of Indian Education). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.

Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed — regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.

Smarter Balanced staff have a profound commitment to UCSC’s Principles of Community including, embracing diversity.

UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demand of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs, or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.

Position Summary

Serves as a source of innovation in psychometrics and data analysis that helps to creatively solve complex problems. Provides additional value to stakeholders and advances the field of large-scale assessment in support of equity in education. Responsible for directing the data analysis and psychometric unit, the staff and activities related to data analysis, data cleaning, and psychometrics. Establishes operational objectives and work plans, and delegates assignments to subordinate managers and staff. Objectives should be aligned to the Smarter Balanced strategic plan, vetted and reviewed by senior staff, stakeholders, and technical experts to determine priority and likely degree of success and priority. Responsible for preparing and managing the budget for the team. Directs the development of data systems that support operational procedures and ad-hoc inquiries. Manages the agenda and objectives for the bi-annual Technical Advisory Committee meeting and prepares on-going presentations for Consortium stakeholders and national organizations.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary Information: $98,000 – $147,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

No. of Positions: 1

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full

Schedule Information:

Full-time, 100% weekly, 40 hours weekly, Mon-Fri, Day Shift

Employee Classification: Career Appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: None

Job Code Classification: 000629 (INSTITUTIONAL RSCH MGR 1)

 

Job Duties

50% – Strategic planning and innovation

Focusing on equity, identifies, plans and implements projects for large-scale assessment to support the organization’s decision-making, problem-solving, strategic planning, policy review and large scale assessment.

Maintains and enhances a robust research agenda based on strategic objectives of the Consortium and are aligned to elaborated theories of action that are endorsed by technical experts.

Responsible for providing comprehensive leadership and support for the Technical Advisory Committee including planning and overseeing proactive agenda for meetings that address critical Consortium policy and needs, and align to strategic objectives.

Serves as the liaison between the Consortium and national organizations regarding psychometrics and data analysis.

 

50% – Leadership, supervision, and operations

Ensures research work products meets the requirements of other teams within Smarter Balanced, Technical Advisors, state departments of education, and other stakeholders.

Provides day-to-day direction, supervision, and managerial oversight of the psychometric and data analysis staff.

Engages in advanced data compilation, report development and archiving activities in support of Consortium research goals.

Responsible for planning and administering the budget for psychometrics and data analysis unit.

 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in educational assessment or related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

• Thorough knowledge of large-scale educational assessment protocols and procedures and industry best practices, including APA’s standards in educational testing’s fairness in testing foundations.

• Thorough knowledge of planning and maintaining budgets.

• Ability to provide thorough psychometric, quantitative analysis, and understanding of data warehousing.

• Strong written communication skills.

• Demonstrates excellent ability to communicate, both verbally and in writing, complex and technical information in a clear and concise manner to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strong communication, and interpersonal skills to communicate and work with leadership, as well as communicate, work with, lead and direct reports.

• Comprehensive project management skills.

• Strong knowledge of statistical analysis computer applications.

 

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS

 

View full job description and access on-line application:

https://apptrkr.com/2224848

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

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