Director of Mathematics Assessment

JOB POSTING

This position works remotely requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 3/12/2025

Department Overview

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 members (states and territories). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.

Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed - regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.

Smarter Balanced staff have a profound commitment to UCSC's Principles of Community including embracing diversity, equity and inclusion.

UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demand of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs, or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.

More information can be found at https://smarterbalanced.org

Job Summary

The Director of Mathematics assumes responsibility for major components of the mathematics assessment development at Smarter Balanced. Guides other assessment designers to ensure that consistency and high quality are aligned to organizational goals. Works with technical experts and service providers to ensure the Smarter Balanced assessment system addresses the depth and breadth of the member states' standards in an authentic manner that serves as signals for high-quality instruction. Meets unique and often "new" requirements related to online mathematics assessment design and development applying advanced technical skills related to learning management systems, multimedia design, assessment systems, communication tools, streaming media platforms, and multimedia creative applications.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $104,900 - $130,800/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000378 (ACAD PRG MGT OFCR 4) - Grade 25

Travel: Never or Up to 25% of the time

Job Duties

40% - Assessment Development

• Consults with member states and stakeholders to determine priorities and implementation to meet priorities for mathematics assessment content and advocates technology tools and creative processes that advance the consortium's priorities around item and test development.
• Leads and oversees the creation of high-quality mathematics assessment content. Establishes detailed schedules for individual or multiple projects and oversees production, including overseeing external contractors, and member stakeholders who contribute to production and supervision of other team members. Responsible for intaking math requirements for state-specific work and liaising with state personnel.
• Collaborates on and/or oversees test content and support resources to meet requirements for accessibility to appropriately assessing students (including English learners and students with disabilities), and adequately integrating cross-subject materials, such as scientific or social studies resources.
• Applies advanced professional mathematics assessment design and technology skills to create online and print-ready assessments that support member state standards and learning objectives.

40% - Assessment Planning and Project Support

• Resolve undesirable aspects of mathematic assessment blueprints by proposing strategic solutions and resolving potential weaknesses identified by psychometric analysis.
• Recommends strategy regarding new item types for mathematics and data science.
• Monitors assessment issues during active testing windows and resolves issues with staff and stakeholders.
• Manages and oversees contracts and budgets related to discipline-specific workstreams.
• Works collaboratively with other instructional designers, technology staff, faculty, and teaching assistants and demonstrates diplomacy and tact in all communications.
• Leads and/or supervises a small team to plan and execute mathematics development.
• Solves complex assessment content or assessment resource-related issues through applying best practices in the field, recommending and implementing technology tools and approaches; and producing production processes for use within and across teams.
• Develops proposals and recommendations to guide and support a broader strategic direction for the development of mathematics interim and summative assessments in support of member and Consortium needs.

20% - Stakeholder Engagement

• Actively seeks out knowledge from member stakeholders and the field of new and emerging assessment innovations and technologies.
• Leads and directs a wide variety of projects and follows through with all levels of staff and individuals inside and outside the organization to develop items and assessments, including supplemental resources in support of the mathematics interim and summative assessments.
• Leads member advisor groups and task forces and executes independent decision-making in support of the Consortium goals on mathematics assessments.
• Responds to stakeholder questions and/or provides consultation to stakeholders on the development of mathematics assessments, as appropriate, for the entire Consortium.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Mathematics and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Significant experience in mathematics assessment development and / or equivalent experience.
• Experience planning and providing deliverables that meet the terms of a contract.
• Experience leading large, complex projects.
• Experience leading and/or supervising staff.
• Experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote diversity among staff.
• Advanced knowledge of policies, standards, and subject matter expertise including advanced concepts relating to testing and instruction that impact mathematics assessment development.
• Advanced knowledge of assessment design principles and measurement tools.
• Thorough knowledge required to conduct appropriate job and task analyses in the context of assessment design of technical or specialized training.
• Advanced skills with relevant business software systems and content creation tools.
• Expert-level skills in the application of planning, resourcing, and monitoring of effective design life cycles of assessment to support the organization.
• Highly skilled oral communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with and influence others.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Strong writing skills, sufficient to convey complex projects in a streamlined manner.
• Strong collaboration and negotiation skills.
• Advanced ability to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organizational and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of business strategies and market priorities related to online assessment and achievement of organizational goals.
• Project Management Professional Certificate.