Assessment Development Lead - Math

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is a diverse team of passionate, education-focused professionals responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education for each of Ohio’s 1.7 million students. The Department provides the resources and supports essential to raising student achievement and accelerating learning opportunities, advancing the connectivity between K-12 and postsecondary learning, creating programs to support and expand workforce experiences, and ensuring students have the necessary supports to be ready each day to learn.

As the governing body responsible for overseeing and enhancing the quality of education within the State of Ohio, the Department of Education and Workforce is dedicated to promoting educational excellence and ensuring equal access to learning opportunities for all students. The Department is committed to collaborating with schools, districts, educators, students, families, businesses, nonprofits and all stakeholders to achieve our educational goals.

The work location of this position is 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You will be required to report to this work location full-time, if selected.

If this position is filled with an internal employee who has an approved telework agreement, the employee may be required to report in-person during the initial training period.

This Education Program Specialist (EPS) position is primarily an Assessment Development lead for Ohio’s State Tests in mathematics for middle school grades 6-8, with possible opportunities to work with Alternate Assessments in mathematics.

As part of the Assessment team, collaborates and develops Mathematics statewide assessments for Ohio\:

Administers, coordinates, and oversees development of Ohio Statewide Assessments which includes:

Reviewing draft test items for OSTs and Alternate Assessments

Ensuring appropriate format

Ensuring items are aligned with learning content standards

Ensuring tests are based on blueprints and specifications

Managing test item banks

Managing test assembly (construction)

Ensuring test drafts are error free

Managing field test-item development and review process

Building and facilitating stakeholder committees

Oversees work related to test content, deliverables, and compliance to ensure statewide assessments and related materials are appropriate, formatted correctly, reviewed, and completed (including print forms) by deliverable dates

Provides ongoing planning and communication with contractors to ensure adherence to test specifications and blueprints (e.g., test development and training and scoring of field-test items)

Participates in quality control of contractor’s work on statewide assessments

Provides ongoing planning and communication with contractors and Ohio DEW staff to ensure effective development of statewide assessments

Ensures adherence to established timelines and schedules for test development (e.g., timely delivery of draft and final test material)

Collaborates with test development contractors to create and review test items and supplemental materials for Ohio stakeholder committee reviews

Provides technical assistance regarding statewide testing in accordance with state and federal law and code:

Facilitates and/or attends multiple development committee meetings (e.g., Content Advisory Committees, Rubric Validation Committees, Fairness Committees)

Helps develop training materials for scoring tests

Develops and conducts presentations to groups

Ensures current assessment information is available through a variety of sources (e.g., test portal, website, email, newsletters, webinars, social media)

Collaborates with other offices within the Department (e.g., Office for Academic Success, Office of Literacy, Office for Exceptional Children, Office of Communications) with regard to testing

Prepares correspondence and reports

Performs other duties as assigned.

Unusual Working Conditions: Requires travel throughout State of Ohio and may require overnight stay. (Must be willing and able to secure a valid Driver’s License OR supply your own transportation.)

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period

Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year

Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave

Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)

Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check as well as other investigative reviews. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position, unless restricted under state or federal law or federal restrictions. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that values diversity and seeks talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class. Questions or concerns about this should be directed to the Office of Human Resources ().

Minimum qualifications

Six years’ experience in any combination of the following areas\:

Working in an educational setting (e.g., K-12, higher education) in one of the following capacities (e.g., educational administrator or teacher with experience in development of districtwide/schoolwide curriculum/assessments)

Monitoring and ensuring compliance with contractual specifications, program requirements, timelines for deliverables

Interpreting statute and code, law (i.e., operating standards, Ohio Revised Code, Ohio Administrative Code, state/federal requirements and guidelines), providing assistance to stakeholders

Performing one of the following (i.e., measurements/psychometrics, educational policy development, assessment/evaluation) in a government and/or educational setting

Performing one of the following (i.e., measurement/psychometrics, educational policy development, assessment/evaluation) in a government and/or educational setting

Preferred qualifications

Bachelor’s degree plus 6 years of experience in the areas mentioned above.

-OR-

Master’s degree plus 3 years of experience in the areas mentioned above.

Experience teaching mathematics in middle school grades 6-8 or high school

Knowledge of student assessment or educational measurement, public education procedures, and/or contract oversight

Ability to analyze data, define problems, recommend solutions, and handle sensitive information with school personnel, vendors, and the public

Able to use current technology, including computers and online testing technology

Commitment to excellence, professionalism, strong interpersonal communication skills, good judgment of situations, excellent customer service, and solution driven

Interest in professional growth and development, willing to learn policies/procedures/manuals

Competency in program improvement in content, methods, and materials