K-12 Assessment Program Lead, Science

Learning Explorer

22h•Remote

About The Position

The K-12 Assessment Program Lead, Science leads the development, alignment, and quality assurance of high-quality K–12 science assessment content—specifically benchmark assessments. This role requires deep subject-matter expertise, strong knowledge of state-specific standards and assessment programs, and the ability to manage complex development workflows across staff and contractor teams, which in turn deliver high-quality benchmark assessments against a firm schedule based on K-12 high-stakes testing windows. The Assessment Program Lead plays a critical role in ensuring that benchmark assessments accurately reflect state requirements and support educators' instructional decision-making. This is a hybrid role that combines hands-on assessment development with program leadership, requiring both individual contribution and accountability for outcomes across a team. This position reports to the Assessment Content Director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Science or Science Education; a Master’s degree is preferred
Significant professional experience in K–12 science assessment design and development, with either an assessment vendor or a public school district curriculum department, is required; experience solely in postsecondary, corporate, or other non–K–12 assessment settings will not be considered
Experience teaching science in a public K–12 school setting; high school science preferred
Deep science content knowledge and understanding of K–12 learning standards at all grade levels; high school-level knowledge is necessary
Deep knowledge of NGSS learning standards and instruction, and a proven ability to design and develop NGSS-aligned assessment content are necessary
Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage staff and contractor teams
Strong customer focus, with the ability to incorporate educator and district needs into decisions and deliverables
Strong ability to quantify, manage, and report on budget, labor costs, and resource utilization
Collaborative mindset with experience working cross-functionally
Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and annual cycles of firm testing deadlines simultaneously, with flexibility to adapt to interruptions and shifting priorities to meet the needs of the business
Ability to adapt and embrace change, and support new strategies that drive program growth and improvement
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
Significant experience with K–12 assessment delivery platforms and content management systems
Significant experience with Google Workspace and Kanban-style productivity tools (e.g., Trello)

Responsibilities

Maintain deep expertise in K–12 science content, instructional approaches, and state-specific academic standards and assessments
Interpret state blueprints, test specifications, and guidance documents to ensure assessments accurately reflect state requirements
Monitor and incorporate updates to state standards, testing programs, and related initiatives
Identify and prioritize content gaps and collaborate with leadership to develop content roadmaps and enhancement plans
Develop, align, and review assessment items and assessments (hands-on development approximately 20–40% of time, depending on development cycle needs)
Oversee and enforce multi-layered quality review processes to maintain high standards across all deliverables
Ensure assessment content is pedagogically sound, standards-aligned, and instructionally relevant
Conduct senior-level reviews of items and assessments developed by team members to ensure content accuracy, alignment, and instructional quality
Plan, assign, and manage the work of staff and contractor subject-matter experts across item writing, alignment, assessment development, and review activities
Manage development schedules and timelines to ensure on-time delivery of assessments and content updates against a firm schedule based on K-12 high-stakes testing windows
Develop and deliver subject- and state-specific training and guidance for staff and contractors
Serve as the science content lead on cross-functional initiatives supporting assessment product development (e.g., input to the assessment software development team)
Evaluate and refine content development and review processes to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability
Develop and maintain clear documentation, guidelines, and best practices for assessment development
Leverage collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Trello, proprietary software) to support workflows (e.g., item development and alignment, assessment development and reviews) and documentation
Coordinate responses to specific customer inquiries related to content, alignment, and assessment design
Support issue resolution by partnering with Customer Success, Services, Product, and Data teams as needed