Join the Pack! A community with nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, and 30,000 students. NC State is one of the largest employers in North Carolina, offering a large range of career opportunities. Visit us at www.ncsu.edu/hr/job_applicants/reasons [5].
Position Number: 00043488
Primary Function of Organizational Unit:
Founded in 1966, the Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services (CUACS) extends the educational research capabilities of North Carolina State University (NCSU) to governmental and community agencies. The Center operates under a mandate to provide research and technical assistance to state and local government as well as to the faculty and staff of NCSU. As part of the Center’s work with state government, a new program Technical Outreach to Public Schools (TOPS) was established to support functions critical to public education K-12. NCSU will collaborate in areas of mutual interest with the North Carolina Dept. of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to support public schools on educational areas of high priority. Specifically, NCSU will work with NCDPI in applying research and development skills to major educational and technological issues and by providing product and quality control support to the measurement of educational performance in the state’s 115 local school systems. Tops will: 1) provide research, technical, and training assistance in carrying out assessments on a statewide basis; 2) develop tests and provide support for technological improvements for data-driven decision-making; 3) conduct needs assessment and research studies in priority areas of mutual interest. These work activities are highly sensitive and confidential and are technically complex.
Essential Job Duties:
Will serve as an English/Language Arts (ELA) content specialist/curriculum expert in the development, review, revision, evaluation of multiple choice, performance, and other assessment type test items in the development of statewide assessment and in the creation of related scoring rubrics/training materials for grades 3-8 English/Language Arts. Primary task is production of polished final assessment/test items for statewide formative assessments of common core standards. Some positions required to conduct client training including how to create and review assessment items and how to use assessment data in instruction. Provide curriculum expertise in coordination and implementation. Work with a team to generate accurate and informative training materials. Conduct professional training following guidelines and protocol set by program manager. Some travel required, occasional weekend and evening work due to delivery deadlines. Office environment, and over half of the work involves viewing printed material and using computers. Knowledge of copyrights procedures/rules for work with various selections selected for assessment purposes. Specifically, key responsibilities are:
•Develop, revise, and evaluate assessment items and test forms for 3-8 in assigned content area. Will develop, revise, and evaluate multiple-choice and extended response test items and forms for English/Language Arts (including alternate assessments). Will work with others to ensure that items are aligned with curriculum (Common Core State Standards). Will coordinate and work with contractor(s) to locate appropriate English/Language Arts passages. Will also coordinate and work with contractor(s) to develop sound assessment/test items that meet NCDPI specified criteria. Will produce polished and final test forms and items. Will monitor item pools and assignment of item writing contracts using the online item writing system.
•Create and prepare training materials for sessions with teachers, and other professionals and maintain information used in online item writing system for assigned content areas. Will assist in developing and preparing training materials for English/Language Arts, including alternate assessments. Will work cooperatively with supervisor to make decisions concerning selection of appropriate training materials. Create training materials for use in online item writing system including development of writing prompts, development of English/language arts multiple-choice, extended response, and performance items.
•Assist with special test development projects as necessary. Will assist other test development staff with various projects on an as-needed and as-available basis.
Departmental Required Skills:
Experience writing or reviewing English/Language Arts (ELA) test items or experience teaching ELA or training others in the area for grades 3-5 or 6-8. Must be able to do majority of work tasks using the online test development system and able to use a variety of software packages. All work is done with online internet applications. Must be competent using internet applications for test development. Able to use a variety of software applications.
Training experience in working with best instructional practices, using data to guide instruction, and working with online assessment systems.
Should have experience with classroom teaching ELA and experience in ELA assessment.
Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:
Master’s degree with concentration in grades 3-5 d 6-8 English/Language Arts (ELA) and at least three years of progressive experience in related work environment, or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
Prefer High School English experience and experience working with and evaluating test items in relation to curriculum.
Experience in training teachers to write items and understand best practices in assessment as well as training for common core ELA standards.
Necessary Licenses or Certifications:
N/A
AA/EOE:
AA/EOE. In addition, NC State welcomes all persons without regard to sexual orientation or genetic information. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (919) 515-3148. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree verified at www.wes.org [6]. Degree must be obtained prior to start date.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.