Other - Position - Non-Certified
Job Number 4600297522

Start Date

Open Date 04/25/2024

Closing Date 07/25/2024
Pittsburgh Public Schools employs over 4,000 individuals in various capacities to support the academic achievement and strength of character of the students we serve.
Under the supervision of the Director of Local & State Assessments the Assessment Specialist is responsible for implementing and supporting the numerous State, District and Federal assessments administered throughout the district to students in grades Pre-K-12.
The Assessment Specialist will address regular issues that arise with assessment administration based on projects assigned by the Director. This position will work collaboratively with School Leaders, School Assessment Coordinators (SAC) and the Curriculum & Instruction department to ensure assessment processes are done according to State, District and Federal law, regulations, and guidelines. The position will prioritize projects to ensure all assessment deadlines are met and manage the process for key checkpoint reminders and protocols to be followed. This position will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of assessment work products.
Reports To Director of Local and State Assessments

Salary
Support Exempt, Level 5 ($65,025 Annual)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Months: 12
Qualifications
- Candidates must be enthusiastic about the fundamental goal of advancing student achievement in an urban public school district. In addition, we are seeking candidates with:

-Bachelor?s degree preferred.

- Minimum 3-5 years working with state and/or district level assessments preferred.
-Knowledge of and experience with PA Monitoring requirements, PA Accountability System, PA Attribution Map and Corrections System.
-Experience implementing multiple, large-scale, overlapping and very detailed assessment projects with very short deadlines.
-Ability to work independently to solve complex assessment issues in a high-paced, multi-tasking environment.
-Ability to read, understand and interpret very lengthy assessment manuals, laws, guidelines, policies, directions, and user manuals for supporting assessment administration.
-Strong analytical skills for looking at large amounts of data for tracking anomalies or patterns.
-Ability to organize and maintain large volumes of paperwork and electronic data according to state and federal guidelines.
- High attention to detail, organized, and able to work under pressure managing frequent and competing deadlines

- Proficiency in or ability to learn and navigate a variety of assessment platforms.

- Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word Excel, Powerpoint, Forms. (eSchoolPlus, eMetric, Professional Learning Platform, eDIRECT, Let?s Talk, Performance Matters preferred)

- Ability to exercise a high degree of confidentiality, professionalism, and diplomacy to accomplish objectives.

-Ability to cultivate relationships with culturally, educationally, and racially diverse internal and external customers.

-Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

- Value, demonstrate, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion
Residency Requirements City of Pittsburgh Residency Required

Essential Job Functions
1. Facilitate and implement assessment projects by ensuring work streams are completed on time and in accordance with federal and state accountability requirements and PPS guidelines and policies.

2. Work collaboratively with the Director of Local and State Assessments by providing input on the planning of assessment projects, surveys, and documents used for assessment administration and state monitoring.

3. Implement the assessment plans, projects, and processes while troubleshooting and resolving technical issues that arise with accounts, assignments, database errors, and reports.

4. Serve as the content expert on utilizing the assessment platforms by managing overall permissions, access, errors, and setup of online and paper/pencil assessment platforms to ensure school and central office users have access and the ability to use the systems.

5. Collaborate with the Curriculum and Instruction department to coordinate, implement and refine the entry, mapping, reporting, scanning, troubleshooting and maintenance of unit, chapter, mid-term, and final assessments.

6. Train, support, and advise School Leaders, School Assessment Coordinators (SAC) and other school personnel on the proper use of the assessment platforms, accommodation requirements, and procedures which includes but is not limited to accessing and extracting data, reviewing and printing reports, resolving scheduling issues and troubleshooting logistical test administration challenge.

7. Work directly with school personnel to ensure state and federal accountability documents are accurately submitted, reviewed, maintained and in compliance with state audits and confidentiality regulations.

8. Audit data within the district assessment platforms after updates are performed to ensure data accuracy.

9. Work directly with assessment vendors to address and resolve any assessment platform issues.

10. Provide support to the Director of Local and State Assessments with state attributions and corrections for federal and state accountability by validating data, auditing information, and ensuring accurate data submission.

11. Provide first-tier and 2nd tier responses to internal and external stakeholder inquiries (in-person/phone/email/support tickets) regarding the workstreams.

12. Stay abreast of laws and policies that support assessment administration.

13. Attends and participates in professional development related to assessments.

14. Document various procedures within the department and recommend improvements.

15. Provide regular updates to supervisor regarding progress towards goals and challenges to meeting goals.

16. Participate in departmental, team, and individual planning and goal setting.

17. Communicate effectively and confidentially at all levels, over the phone, face-to-face, and electronically.

18. Other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor in support of the Department?s goals and objectives and the District's mission and Superintendent's Priority Goals.