The Director of the Institutes reports to the Dean of the College of Education and works in collaboration with department chairs and center directors to encourage the involvement of faculty and graduate students in the research and development efforts of the Institutes. The Director maintains close working relationships with the Florida Department of Education, federal granting agencies, school districts, and other educational organizations.

Pearson VUE is a computer-based testing business which provides innovative electronic testing solutions that enhance the performance, reliability and security of high-stakes testing programs throughout the world. Our commitment to service drives everything we design, build and do. Pearson VUE continually strives to provide customers with the highest level of satisfaction and convenience. From start to finish, our service and technology enhances your testing experience.  Tests are delivered through a domestic network of more than 200 company-owned and -operated Pearson Professional Centers and more than 3,400 Pearson VUE Authorized Centers worldwide.

• Provide outstanding service to all customers
• Work together to build success for all
• Foster an open and honest atmosphere
• Develop ourselves and others
• Continue to experiment, take risks, and push the boundaries

Perform a variety of duties around the servicing of Pearson Assessments and Testing's exam publishing needs including management of the exam publishing process, coordinating and communication of exam status, and organizing and management of client exam files.

• Build exams according to customer specifications using proprietary and general use software tools.
• Manage client expectations and schedules.
• Test software for administering, scoring, and interpreting VUE's testing system and client exams.
• Develop test plans for test and report implementations.
• Ensure that the test output match the test specification with regard to the accuracy of scoring (note: this will require extreme accuracy).
• Document discrepancies between performance and specifications using standard forms and suggest corrections when appropriate.
• Work with the others in the Testing Services Department to provide a high standard of quality assurance (QA) for all testing materials.
• File and maintain original and final project documents, materials, and artwork..
• Review exams and report specifications for accuracy and completeness.
• Miscellaneous data entry using word processing or spreadsheet software.
• Other miscellaneous duties as required.

Physical Requirements

• The ability to sit at computer for up to 8 hours.

Knowledge Areas

• General Test Development process
• Microsoft Office Applications
• Microsoft Windows 2000 & XP

• Visual Basic or MS Word Scripting (preferred)

Skill Dimensions to Successfully Complete the Job

• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills.
• The ability to think creatively.
• The ability to work under pressure with minimal direction or supervision.
• The ability to work with all levels of the organization as well as outside customers.
• Strong writing skills.
• Experience working in the education or technology industry.
  
   

EOE - m/f/v/d

• Experienced user of Excel, Word, Access, Web-browsers
• Experience with a learning management system such as Blackboard desirable
• Experience with item-banking software desirable
• Knowledge of classical psychometrics sufficient to perform duties listed above
• Familiarity with criterion-referenced measurement, norms and norming samples, essay scoring reliability issues and scoring rubrics
• Ability to write clear, standard English effectively
• Comfortable working in a deadline-oriented, multitasking environment
• Capable of working either independently or as part of a team
• Four years of highly responsible academic or administrative experience demonstrating the ability to plan, implement and administer complex and innovative educational programs, testing programs, and/or independent study programs, at least three of which have been at a supervisory or management level
• Solid experience in the application of psychometrics and statistical analysis
• Minimum of one year of experience with high-stakes testing
• College-level teaching experience desirable

• Four years of highly responsible academic or administrative experience demonstrating the ability to plan, implement and administer complex and innovative educational programs, testing programs, and/or independent study programs, at least three of which have been at a supervisory or management level
• Solid experience in the application of psychometrics and statistical analysis
• Minimum of one year of experience with high-stakes testing
• College-level teaching experience desirable

• Doctoral degree in appropriate field (Educational Measurement, Learning Assessment, Adult Learning Theory, Educational Psychology) highly desirable; master's degree required
• Knowledge of adult learning theory and independent study/distance learning
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and lead others in a team environment
• Ability to work effectively with faculty in diverse academic disciplines and institutions

Initiative:

Recognize and take actions to lead multiple program teams (including members from development, ADP, production, inventory, sales and marketing, customer service, research and accounting, operations, IT, vendors). Responsible for the accurate communications and interaction amongst the functional representatives, the development of all program documentation, assignment of tasks.  Works proactively to avoid schedule and budget problems.  Accountable for contract performance.  

Planning:

Develop and maintain accurate, easily accessed master program schedules (including internal schedules) for complex programs at the milestone level. These schedules support the delivery of all products and services for the contract. Lead the development of detailed functional planning for each functional area. Facilitate the scoring planning effort across the organization. Develop and implement contingency plans for off-schedule and unanticipated eventualities.  Ensure that data on quantities and types of materials required by system, school, etc… is developed and maintained accurately and efficiently as required by contract and/or CPM Management.

Scope, Time, Cost, and Quality Management:

Take responsibility for assigned duties and results, and follow through on assignments. Track assigned program/project against the Statement of Work (SOW); process and report all authorized invoices. Oversee all program expenditures to ensure program is on track with budget. Oversees all program expenditures to ensure program is on track with budget. Coordinate increased costs with Director and VP and any affected departments. Responsible for the accuracy of all CPM products and tracking all milestones, communications and materials to/from the client and with team members as appropriate. Oversee the work of the Program Coordinators, Associate PM, and PM’s where appropriate. Monitor quality control of program team and offer suggestions for improvement.  Help to enhance CPM processes and procedures by documenting changes and instructing other team members.

Reporting Communications:

Develop complex schedules, coordinate all logistics, products, program team meetings; oversee development of meeting agendas, attending and conducting the meetings, ensure meeting minutes are taken and results are recorded and sent to team members. Ensure periodic reports are produced following reporting procedures and processes in a timely and effective manner.  Keep PM's, Directors and VP informed of results, program status, issues and risks that may have an impact on program deliverables. Prepare timely and accurate weekly reports and post to eRoom. Keep PM's, Directors and VP informed and involved in solutions.  Ensure compliance by all team members in processes used by CPM. 

Issue and Risk Management:

Recognize and manage all program/project issues and risks, ensure items are documented in the Issues & Risk log, the Key Item Report and the Weekly Program Status chart and that this information is maintained in the Program eRoom flies.. Develop solutions, mitigations, and contingency plans as needed. Assign and track solutions/mitigations of issues/risks. Escalate to Program Director/VP as required.   Understands the interdependencies of issues across departments, vendors and customers.

PM Tools:

Exhibit an expert level of understanding of Program Management tools. SOW, Program Contracts, Scope Change procedures, Microsoft Project, Issue and Risk management procedures and eRoom capabilities.  Mentor other team members in use of tools.

Professional Development:

Maintain currency as an expert in Program/Project Management Techniques.

Customer Relationships:

Work closely with customers/clients and vendors to represent RPC to the client and the client to RPC. Assist Proposal Development with RFP's. Maintain awareness of political situations and acts appropriately.

Other duties as assigned

• Expert program management skills

• Expert oral and written communication skills to include business correspondence

• Expert organizational and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work under pressure and lead others in a team environment

• Expert computer skills, including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, MS Project and Visio, Access (preferred)

• Ability to effectively handle multiple tasks in various stages of completion

• Ability to manage upwardly and to escalate problems effectively

3-4 years experience in managing programs and/or large tasks is required; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.

Medical, Dental and Vision insurance, paid vacation and holidays, tuition reimbursement, matching 401K and pension plan.

Claudine Trudeau
Recruiting Manager
Houghton Mifflin/Riverside Publishing
Phone:       630-467-6761
www.hmco.com

Reporting to the Manager, Test Development, the Test Developer will be responsible for supporting test development activities. The Test Developer will directly support the Manager and will also participate in other Testing & Measurement activities.

This individual will work directly with Product Development Directors or Assistant Directors to develop a pilot study, run trial studies to assess correlation and effective measurement, and construct final tests that meet normative standards.

Provides Research staff, Product Development Directors, (Senior) Editors and/or authors with appropriate research designs and data analysis plans for pilot, national tryout, and standardization studies of each new or revised test product.

The scope of the design/plan will include such tasks as quality control procedures (file cleanup, restructuring and merging, creation of master file, etc.), item analysis (classical item analysis and/or IRT-Rasch item calibration), scale analysis (explorative and/or confirmatory factor analysis, group comparisons, etc.), DIF analysis, scaling, equating, norms development, additional tryout/standardization analyses, and reliability/validity studies.

Obtains approval on data analysis plans and schedules and prepares data analysis specifications; monitors, communicates and updates data analysis specifications and schedules.

Oversees and implements statistical analyses in accordance with research plans and publication schedules.

Provides consultation to Product Development Directors and (Senior) Editors and other department personnel in the application of statistical/psychometric theories and techniques, such as classical test theory and IRT.

Creates and maintains written documentation of statistical analyses and file formats for each product being developed and/or revised. Documents and disseminates information regarding decisions made on test projects (e.g., addition/deletion of items/subtests or cases on specific test, change of administration rules, etc.). Interprets results of data analyses to appropriate persons.

Prepares data required in technical chapters of the test manual, and draft technical reports/ chapters for the test manual.

Works closely with the Data Research group to ensure quality control of data results.

Prepares written documentation for norms development procedures.

Investigates and implements innovative approaches in solving various statistical and measurement problems encountered in test development.

Updates knowledge and skills in new software available for quantitative data analyses and efficiency enhancement.

Project management experience required

Director/Executive Editor Assessment

The title of this position will be based on the experience and knowledge of the successful candidate. That candidate will have deep content knowledge of formal and informal, summative and formative el-hi assessments, particularly in the areas of reading and language.

• Master's or doctoral degree in psychometrics or a related field from a nationally recognized institution of higher education.
• At least five years experience in psychometrics, including the construction, processing, analysis, and reporting of large-scale examinations.
• A strong background in computerized exam delivery, computer-adaptive testing, and item response theory(IRT).
• Thorough understanding of the principles of test construction, classical and IRT-based item analysis, and item calibration, linking, and equating.
• Ability to summarize complex technical information and communicate it to a variety of audiences.
• Good project management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent social skills.

• Thorough knowledge of ADA regarding testing, and the subject matter of testing candidates with disabilities.

Ability to use database and statistical analysis software independently, and experience in writing grant proposals.