Lead, ELA Assessment

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.

HOW TO APPLY

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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: 07-21-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 (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.

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

This position reports to the Director of Assessments for English Language Arts (ELA). Incorporating industry best practices, state objectives, Smarter Balanced quality standards, and an in-depth professional knowledge, the incumbent collaborates with experts to design, develop and update on-line ELA assessment tools for learners and teachers in grades 3-8 and high school. In addition, the incumbent serves as an ELA subject matter expert providing content guidance to other assessment designers to ensure consistency and high quality aligned with organizational goals.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $96,110 - $103,250/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: 006147 (INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER 4) - Grade 23

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

50% - Assessment Development

• Applies advanced professional ELA assessment design and technology skills to create online and print-ready assessments that support member state standards and learning objectives.
• Collaborates on and/or oversees the creation of high-quality ELA assessment content. Establishes detailed schedules for individual or multiple projects and oversees production, including monitoring external contractors, vendors, and member representatives who contribute to production.
• Collaborates on and/or oversees test content and supports resources to meet requirements for accessibility and inclusion (including English learners and students with disabilities). Integrates cross-subject materials, such as Digital Media and Data Science.
• Work with the Director of ELA on the intake of ELA requirements for state-specific work and liaising with state personnel.

40% - Assessment Planning and Project Support

• Monitors assessment issues during active testing windows and resolves issues with staff and stakeholders.
• Works in a collaborative manner with other instructional designers, technology staff, and Consortium members and demonstrates diplomacy and tact in all communications.
• Collaborates on teams to plan and execute ELA development; proposes strategic solutions to resolve potential weaknesses identified by psychometric analysis; solves complex assessment content or assessment resource-related issues through applying best practices in the field, recommending and implementing technology tools and approaches; develops production processes for use within and across teams.
• Collaborates on proposals and recommendations to guide and support a broader strategic direction for the development of ELA assessments and resources for formative, interim, and summative assessments in support of member and Consortium needs.

10% - Stakeholder Engagement

• Actively seeks out knowledge from member stakeholders and the field of new and emerging assessment innovations and technologies.
• Leads 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 ELA interim and summative assessments and Tools for Teachers resources. Co-leads member advisory groups, steering committees, and task forces, and executes independent decision-making in support of the Consortium's goals on ELA assessments.
• Responds to stakeholder questions and/or provides consultation to stakeholders on the development of ELA assessments, as appropriate, for the entire Consortium.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in English Language Arts and/or equivalent experience/training.
• K-12 education experience or similar training.
• Experience sufficient to demonstrate competency in developing English Language Arts assessments.
• Experience leading large, complex projects that serve state education agencies.
• Experience in planning and providing deliverables that meet the terms of a contract.
• Experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote collaboration among staff.
• Thorough knowledge of the policies and standards of testing and instruction which impact the development of ELA assessments.
• Advanced knowledge of the theories, principles, practices and methods used in the design and development of ELA assessmernts.
• Proficiency working with learning management systems and content creation tools.
• Analytical skills necessary for the successful design, development and troubleshooting of ELA assessment instruments.
• Verbal communication and interpersonal skills necessary to communicate with and influence others.
• Written communications skills.
• Proficiency in collaboration and negotiation skills.
• Competent project management skills for successfully driving the design life cycles of assessment
• Ability to conduct appropriate job and task analyses in the context of the assessment design of technical or specialized training.
• Advanced ability to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organizational and problem-solving skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Understanding of the business strategies and market priorities related to online assessment and the achievement of organizational goals.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.