Assessment Specialist

Strategic Education•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

The Assessment Specialist facilitates the acquisition and analysis of learning outcomes and program performance data for continuous improvement. As the learning outcome data expert, the specialist provides learning outcomes reports and evidence of data credibility, and supports and administers assessment quality initiatives related to accreditation and institutional effectiveness. The role works with leaders, practitioners, and other stakeholders to develop an evaluative culture through the collection and use of learning outcomes and program data in support of academic quality improvement and institutional goals. The position involves analyzing and interpreting outcome results, supporting assessment and program-review processes, and helping academic leaders and faculty use data to improve curriculum, instruction, and program performance. The specialist also develops assessment resources and training, advises teams on sound assessment practices, and stays informed about trends in student learning assessment, learning design, and delivery. Occasional travel may be needed if business needs arise. An onsite or campus office environment may be required depending on the role; an offsite or hybrid arrangement requires a remote setting that supports privacy, reliable internet, phone, and video conferencing. The role may require lifting, computer use, effective communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More than 40 hours per week may be required when business needs warrant. Reasonable accommodations are available in accordance with ADA policies. The expected starting pay is $68,000–$71,000, while the listed salary range is $67,700–$101,500. Benefits are available to employees scheduled for 30 or more hours per week and include medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans, well-being incentives, parental leave, paid time off, certain paid holidays, tax-saving accounts, a 401(k) retirement benefit, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition assistance, and entertainment and retail discounts. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay, if applicable.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Minimum 2–3 years of related work experience in higher education.
Effective, persuasive, and professional verbal and written communication with leaders, cross-functional teams, and internal and external audiences.
Ability to build trusted professional relationships with stakeholders in a collaborative virtual working environment.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, changing professional culture, learn new things quickly, and work under tight deadlines.
Strong organization and management skills, including proactively managing and prioritizing projects and activities with firm deadlines.
Experience gathering and manipulating data, such as creating data visualizations, and willingness to learn tools such as Qualtrics, Tableau, Power BI, or Excel.
Understanding of data reporting and capacity in data analysis and research skills.
Excellent problem-solving skills.
Commitment to continuous learning and developing quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.
Willingness to learn new tools and processes and take on new responsibilities.
Working knowledge of distance-learning trends in design, delivery, and evaluation.
Ability to travel occasionally if business needs arise.
Ability to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant.
Ability to access information using a computer.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education assessment, curriculum, instructional design, and/or university-level teaching.

Responsibilities

Aggregate, analyze, and interpret outcome results; provide data-informed judgments and recommend actions for continuous improvement.
Help academic leaders and faculty use learning and program outcomes data to improve curriculum, instruction, and program performance.
Partner with stakeholders to turn ideas into actionable, measurable projects.
Collaborate with academic and organizational leaders to develop and support learning outcomes assessment plans.
Support accreditation by developing and maintaining assessment and program-review cycles and documentation.
Assist in developing and implementing assessment initiatives at university, degree, school, program, and course levels to strengthen academic quality and effectiveness.
Apply ethical data practices to safeguard data collection and analysis and present findings in accordance with ethical standards.
Develop tools, processes, templates, and training on best practices to improve assessment and program-evaluation processes.
Evaluate and recommend assessment instruments and practices, including test item analysis and assessment design.
Represent assessment and program-review expertise on academic program review teams, committees, and workgroups as assigned.
Share standards-based assessment practices and consult with teams and partners on instructionally and practically sound assessment solutions.
Stay current with trends in student learning assessment, learning design, and delivery.