Special Education Assessment Specialist

State of Utah Office of the Governor•Salt Lake City, UT

1d•$43 - $52•Hybrid

About The Position

Be a hero to administrators and educators! The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is looking for a candidate with demonstrated successful special education teaching experience who possesses the ability to positively improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities. The Special Education Assessment Specialist will be part of the USBE Assessment & Accountability team and will collaborate with USBE personnel including the Special Education team, Utah educators, parents, and with assessment vendors to provide the appropriate use of accommodations and supports in their assessment systems, ensuring that assessment content is developed with UDL practices and is free of accessibility barriers. Your work will impact the lives of Utah students.

Requirements

At least 5 years of classroom teaching experience.
Knowledgeable and experienced with accommodations.
Previous successful leadership experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of adult learning theory.
Ability to communicate effectively through listening, understanding, speaking, and writing, clearly and concisely.
Demonstrate sensitivity and professionalism through their interactions with others and can lead diverse groups of people through encouraging participation, building mutual trust, facilitating collaboration, and exemplifying respect.
Demonstrate an ability to manage complex projects and align their work with an organization’s strategic plan.
Familiarity with the administration and application of accommodations for large-scale assessments.
Experience working with adult learners to improve instructional practice in public schools.
Ability to manage multiple tasks within strict deadlines.
Experience with implementing accommodations under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), Every Student Success Act (ESSA) and the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Special Education Rules (Rules) regarding accommodations and statewide assessments in the classroom setting, with a focus on improving student academic outcomes and improving equity for all student groups.

Nice To Haves

Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree.
Individuals who have a current Utah State Board of Education License.
Educators with demonstrated special education classroom experience.

Responsibilities

Provide support and training for grades 3-11 large-scale assessment systems, including how assessments are administered, monitored, and reported.
Oversee communication between vendors and educators.
Assist with the implementation of the Board’s vision, mission, and goals.
Assist in implementing the Utah State Board of Education’s Strategic Plan.
Oversee the implementation of accommodations for statewide assessments in grades 3-11, including representing the USBE in weekly systems and content calls, monitoring help desk interactions, reviewing/editing associated manuals, and providing systems and content development training.
Participate in all fairness and bias reviews for any state assessment content and other development workshops, as needed.
Ensure meaningful and appropriate participation in instruction and statewide grades 3-11 assessments for students with disabilities through the use of accommodations to improve the outcomes of students across Utah.
Support Utah’s Local Education Agencies (LEAs) with policy, technical assistance, professional learning, and compliance oversight in statewide assessments and in current and future programs within the USBE Assessment and Accountability section.
Provide policy guidance, technical assistance, training, and support for the appropriate implementation of accommodations and accessibility in instruction and statewide assessments in collaboration with others.
Problem solve, share data, and address other inquiries about accommodations and statewide assessments, including approving accommodations requests.
Support LEA assessment directors and central office staff through scheduled meetings, conferences, workshops, training, and communications.
Work within program budgets to execute job duties.
Implement procedures in response to related agency policy, state, and federal laws, etc.
Provide consultation, make recommendations, give appropriate advice, and/or facilitate decisions.
Collaborate internally amongst various departments to ensure that consideration of students with disabilities is included in conversation and decision-making.
Travel may be required, both in and out of state.