Director, Test Development

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) within the College of Education is seeking a Director, Test Development. This position will lead content development in all content areas, including managing direct reports and advising senior leadership on directions for future materials development and trends in standards-based education. Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) has been part of the University of Iowa’s College of Education for over 90 years. From its inception, ITP’s mission has been to serve Iowa schools’ assessment needs by developing high-quality instruments and to work with schools to promote valid use of results. ITP also pursues research that improves the practice of educational measurement. Design and development of assessments that provide information for a variety of purposes and audiences. Outreach that delivers assessment results and supports use of assessment information by local, state, national, and international audiences.

Requirements

Master’s degree with academic preparation in Educational Measurement and Statistics or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Five (5) or more years overseeing development-related activities for a large-scale statewide assessment program, including forms construction, field testing, standard setting, range finding, and startup and sunsetting activities.
Five (5) or more years of oversight and management of a test development workforce.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Experience in interpretation and transformation of state and national content standards into assessable test content.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated commitment to fostering a welcoming and respectful workplace environment.

Responsibilities

Provide development feedback and review across all subject areas at a level of understanding for all aspects of assessment.
Plan departmental work in coordination with internal and external partners and establish development targets for all subject areas to meet program goals.
Provide consultation to school personnel on test use and score interpretation as assigned.
Coordinate fulfillment of strategic initiatives as assigned, interface with external entities as necessary.
Develop materials to be evaluated for use in assessments and other instruments to support research needs.
Collaborate with technical staff and subject-matter experts to assist in defining areas of research that support test development processes, field testing, and materials review.
Represent program at state and national conferences in relevant subject area.
Represent the University on various internal and external committees, Iowa Department of Education, Technical Advisory Committees, commissions, agencies, seminars and/or associations.
Provide administrative supervision of Senior Test Development Associate(s), and Test Development Associate(s) in subject areas as needed and functional supervision of support staff.
Advise management on budgetary needs or discrepancies for a statewide assessment program.