Program Associate I - Assessment, Implementation & Training

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title: Program Associate I, Assessment Implementation and Training

Location: Fisher Building

Salary: $70,398 - $93,312

Reports to: Assistant Director, Assessments

Bargaining Unit: OSAS

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligible for telecommuting up to 20% (one day per week)

Position Summary

In accordance with the Agreement between the Organization of School Administrators and supervisors and the Detroit Public School Community District the following vacancy is announced:

The Program Associate I, Assessment Implementation and Training, is a key member of the Assessment and Performance Management Department. This team works with schools and the Michigan Department of Education to provide testing for students at various grade levels in the District, including the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP), College Board Suite of Assessments (PSAT and SAT), ACT WorkKeys, MI-Access State Alternate Assessment, WIDA ACCESS for ELLs 2.0, and National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP). The Assessment and Performance Management Department also manages performance management and evaluation of all district staff, including the calculation and collection of various student achievement metrics to support the evaluations of school-based personnel. This team is part of the larger Data, Assessment, and Accountability (DAA) Division, whose overall mission is to ensure the accurate and timely collection and storage of high-quality data about student and district performance.

As a significant member of the Assessment and Performance Management Department, the Program Associate I, Assessment Implementation and Training, is responsible for ensuring the seamless administration of national, state, and district assessments, resulting in accurate and accessible student learning data for all stakeholders. The Program Associate will provide leadership in the development and facilitation of summative assessment trainings for school staff, development of assessment-related resources and communications, management of support systems for schools including test plan reviews, oversight of day-to-day logistics during assessment windows, and post-assessment activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or technical or equivalent experience in education or related field.
  
  

Experience

We are looking for talented people who are passionate about transforming the District and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees. This position requires previous experience with test format, administration, scoring, and interpretation, preferably in a school or district environment. The ideal candidate will have:

Required

• Demonstrated belief in the power and potential of learning, continual improvement and growth
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Ability to balance multiple projects within a data-driven accountability environment
• Ability to explain technical processes to large audiences and small groups, verbally and in writing
• Ability to collaborate, influence and coach others in order to achieve district goals and priorities
• Ability and willingness to continually improve through coaching, feedback and collaboration
• Comfort working in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment
  
  

Preferred

• Demonstrated advocacy for the intentional use of student assessment data to provide equitable learning opportunities to all children (e.g. prior work as assessment coordinator or “data lead” within a school or district setting)
• Experience in the use and support of state and other assessment systems, including the OEAA Secure Site, DRC eDirect, College Board Reporting and SSD Online, MyNAEP/NAEP Access, iReady, and Performance Matters
• Familiarity with state standards and content expectations for core academic subjects
• Expertise and experience working in an urban public school district is a plus
  
  

Essential Functions

• Ensure the District has comprehensive, high-quality data on student learning by supporting schools in assessment planning and implementation, including developing school assessment plans for district and state testing.
• Lead the District’s efforts to comply with state and federal mandates by communicating district, state, and national testing expectations and requirements to school assessment teams.
• Using best practices for adult learners, develop trainings in collaboration with relevant departments that clearly communicate critical testing information to school assessment teams and ensure consistent, accurate guidance.
• Develop and manage systems for monitoring and supporting schools' readiness for assessments.
• Report information concerning schools’ readiness for assessments to senior leaders and other stakeholders.
• Deliver targeted support for schools through the life cycle of assessment activities to ensure that students are properly identified along with the appropriate assessment supports and accommodations.
• Support the Assessment and Performance Management team’s efforts to implement a comprehensive assessment system that supports the regular use of data to drive the District’s work.
• Administer and support the maintenance and configuration of National, District, and State assessment systems.
• Draft and publish content for staff, students, and families through the District’s public-facing website, the Assessment SharePoint site, and the Family and Student Hubs.
• Champion equitable assessment practices for all students by helping schools understand and comply with testing requirements for Exceptional Learners and English Language Learners and maintain documentation of assessment accommodations for auditing purposes.
• Contribute to the long-term vision setting and strategic continual improvement efforts of the Assessment and Performance Management Department.
• Build effective relationships with staff members to implement district strategic plan.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Assistant Director, Assessments.
  
  

Security Clearance

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method Of Application

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.