Psychometrician

Initial review date: January 19, 2022

Job ID: 28846

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position works remotely requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.

 

NOTIFICATIONS

UC Vaccination Policy: With limited exceptions, https://news.ucsc.edu/2021/07/systemwide-vaccination-policy.html for Covered Individuals under the Policy. Covered Individuals include all employees, students, or trainees who physically access a University facility or program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training.

Covered Individuals do NOT include employees who work 100% remotely with NO expectation that they will physically access any University location or program at ANY time. If 100% remote work ends, the employee is subject to Policy.

Employees canhttps://healthcenter.ucsc.edu/services/covid-19/covid-vaccine.html#requirement online orhttps://healthcenter.ucsc.edu/services/covid-19/covid-vaccine.html#exception.

 

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It’s known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus’s DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

 

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

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.

The IRD for this job is: 01-19-2022

 

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

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, equity and inclusion.

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.

 

JOB SUMMARY

The Psychometrician will conduct analyses and provide technical guidance regarding the technical measurement aspects of assessments that are part of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. The Psychometrician applies extensive knowledge as a research professional with an in-depth understanding of statistical and / or other analysis techniques designed to support research projects of broad scope and complexity.

 

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Salary Information: $99,350 – $111,272 / Annually. Salary commensurate with years of licensed experience as well as specialized skills and qualifications.

 

No. of Positions: 1

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full

Schedule Information:

• Full-time

• Percentage of Time: 100%

• Fixed

• Average Hours per Week: 40

• Days of the Week: Mon – Fri

• Shift Includes: Day

• Travel: Up to 25% of the time

 

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-represented

Job Code Classification: 006610 (RSCH DATA ANL 4)

 

JOB DUTIES

40% – Data Processing

• Designs studies and data collection tools.

• Processes, transmits and presents data.

• Designs computer programs to evaluate research data and provide reports to users.

 

40% – Analysis and Documentation

• Develops written policies and procedures.

• Plans and conducts descriptive and inferential psychometric analyses of test forms, item pools, and student testing data for purposes of item pool curation, or evaluation of generalizability, reliability, and validity.

• Conducts quality control of internal activities and deliverables provided by service providers that are associated with measurement issues. Writes scopes of work and supports the selection of a service provider as necessary. Escalates issues to the Senior Director of Systems Design based on reviews or service providers’ work products.

• Presents and interprets the results of research findings.

 

20% – Consultation and Measurement Support

• Provides consultation to research team to develop and evaluate instruments, tools and training.

• Designs, coordinates and conducts research studies of broad complexity and impact.

• Compiles and interprets research data. Contributes to formulation and prioritization of interventions based on data.

• Provides technical assistance on data management and use of research data to analyze and interpret findings.

• Provides team leadership in evaluating and refining investigation methods. Leads investigations / studies for local or external constituents.

• Helps train, guide and mentor project team members.

• Maintains professional expertise and conducts training on scientific research methods.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in measurement, psychometrics or related area

• In-depth knowledge of research function.

• Advanced skills associated with psychometric and statistical analysis, database management and systems programming.

• Advanced skills in analysis and consultation.

• Advanced ability to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner in writing.

• Advanced ability to verbally communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner.

• Advanced research skills at a level to evaluate alternate solutions and develop recommendations.

• Advanced ability to think creatively to recommend action steps or strategize solutions relative to research.

• Advanced knowledge regarding coding in R to process, transform and analyze data.

• Experience working as a psychometrician on a large-scale operational adaptive assessment program (e.g., state large-scale or district-level assessments).

• Experience ensuring that organizational policies, practices, services, and behaviors support and promote diversity among staff.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced project management skills. Ability to lead and influence within and external to project team.

• Worked in contract position in psychometrics within the past 12 months.

 

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.

• Ability to work remotely from a home office and be able to fulfill requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.

• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.

• Ability to work occasional nights, weekends and/or holidays.

• The University of California has implemented a https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/SARS-CoV-2_Covid-19 covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, covered employees must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exception or deferral, eight (8) weeks from date of hire.

 

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Attach your resume and cover letter when applying for this job opening. Do not attach any documents to ‘My Activities’. Visit our https://shr.ucsc.edu/talent-acquisition/applicant_resources/how-to-apply/index.html tutorial for detailed instructions on our applicant process.

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS

 

View full job description and access on-line application: https://apptrkr.com/2747238

 

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.