Assessment Specialist

McNeese State University; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

McNeese State University invites applicants for the position of Assessment Specialist, a full-time, 12-month unclassified staff role based in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The incumbent will coordinate assessment processes, support accreditation efforts, and provide training and data support to academic and administrative units.

The role emphasizes evidence-informed decision-making, curriculum management support, and collaboration with faculty and staff to improve student learning and institutional

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and effectively use software systems supporting assessment, planning, reporting, and other institutional processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated initiative, dependability, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively while contributing independently to departmental goals.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with academic and administrative units to develop assessment plans and learning outcomes for programs, courses, and co-curricular activities.
• Evaluates assessment plans and provides feedback to academic and administrative units.
• Assists the director of planning and assessment in coordinating the assessment process, including timelines, data collection, and compliance with accreditation standards.
• Maintains current assessment information for assigned program coordinators and communicates regularly about plans, analyses, and improvement.
• Uses Xitracs to maintain and manage assessment across units and programs.
• Provides enrollment, retention, survey, and achievement data to coordinators for analysis in reports and planning.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Data analysis

Collaboration

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Xitracs

Ellucian Banner

Degree Works

Modern Campus Catalog

Modern Campus Curriculum

Concourse Syllabus

Job description

RE-ADVERTISED

McNeese State University invites applicants for the position of Assessment Specialist. This is a full-time, 12-month, unclassified staff position. This appointment is available to begin immediately.

POSITION NUMBER: U99296

UNIT: Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness

REPORTING AUTHORITY: Director of Planning and Assessment

SALARY:$40,000, non-negotiable

POSITION SUMMARY:Reporting to the Director of Planning and Assessment, the Assessment Specialist supports the University's commitment to student learning, continuous improvement, and institutional effectiveness by coordinating assessment processes, collaborating with faculty and staff on outcomes assessment, and supporting accreditation, curriculum management, and academic planning initiatives. This position provides guidance, data, training, and technical support to academic and administrative units while helping ensure compliance with accreditation standards and advancing a culture of evidence-informed decision-making.

DEADLINE:Position will remain open until filled.

CONTACT INFORMATION

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS POSITION, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHAIR:

Stephanie Tarver at [e-mail]

Office of Human Resources Contact:

Kim Dronett at [e-mail] or [phone]

• Collaborates with academic and administrative units to develop assessment plans and learning outcomes for programs, courses, and co-curricular activities.
• Evaluates assessment plans and provides feedback to academic and administrative units.
• Assists the director of planning and assessment in the coordination of the assessment process, which includes setting timelines, collecting and managing assessment data according to timelines, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and institutional mission.
• Maintains current assessment information for assigned academic program coordinators and communicates regularly with coordinators regarding assessment plans, analyses, continuous improvement and related processes.
• Utilizes Xitracs compliance software to maintain and manage the assessment of all units and academic programs.
• Collaborates with Institutional Research to provide enrollment data, retention data, survey results, and student achievement data to program coordinators for inclusion in the analyses of assessment reports and plans for continuous improvement.
• Oversees data and artifact collection for general education assessment and provides feedback on general education assessment analyses to program coordinators.
• Prepares assessment and planning related reports as needed for internal and external audiences.
• Assists with developing and providing training and resources to faculty and staff to enhance their understanding of assessment practices and principles.
• Supports institutional accreditation activities by maintaining documentation, assisting with evidence collection, and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and reporting requirements.
• Assists the director with the coordination and management of the University’s curriculum and course development process using the Modern Campus Curriculum management software and other related tools.
• Assists the director with updating and producing the University’s Academic Catalog using the Modern Campus Catalog management software.
• Assists the director with the training and supervision of student workers.
• Maintains current knowledge of higher education issues and best practices impacting the University.
• Serves on University committees as required by position or as requested.
• Completes other duties as assigned and assists fulfilling other ad hoc requests.

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and effectively use software systems supporting assessment, planning, reporting, and other institutional processes.
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated initiative, dependability, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively while contributing independently to departmental goals.

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Understanding of regulatory processes for accreditation, governing boards, institutional policies, or other higher education planning and assessment requirements.
• Experience with student learning outcomes assessment, unit outcomes assessment, and analyses for continuous improvement.
• Experience with AI tools and higher education software systems, such as Xitracs, Ellucian Banner, Degree Works, Modern Campus Catalog, Modern Campus Curriculum, and Concourse Syllabus.

McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a public university and a member of the University of Louisiana System. Under Louisiana law, applications and all supporting materials will become public record. All applicants are expected to submit complete and accurate materials as specified in the position announcement. A background check and an English Proficiency assessment (Faculty Only) will be conducted on selected finalists. We comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 49:1001, et seq, and State of Louisiana Executive Order 98-38, which provides for drug testing of employees, appointees, prospective employees, and prospective appointees. Prospective employees and employees are informed if a drug test is required.

McNeese State University is an AA/EEO/ADA employer committed to excellence through diversity and a SAME agency (State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities) for the State of Louisiana.

Persons requesting accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Office of Campus Compliance and Civility at least 72 hours before the event. Additional information is available from the Office of Campus Compliance and Civility, located in the Burton Business Center, Suite 407, by phone at 337-475-5428, by fax at 337-475-5603, or by email at [e-mail].

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires McNeese State University to inform applicants that the University can employ only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Each new employee is required to present documentation verifying his/her identity and right to accept employment. McNeese participates in E-Verify.

Louisiana Revised Statute 42:31-Eligibility requirements for certain unclassified employees-requires any person hired or employed in an unclassified position, whose annual salary or rate of compensation is equal to or exceeds one hundred thousand dollars, provide proof to his public employer that he has been issued a Louisiana driver’s license and that all vehicles registered in his name are registered in Louisiana within thirty days of being hired or employed at such salary.

Transcripts from Foreign Universities: Prospective faculty submitting transcripts from foreign universities or schools must have the coursework evaluated for equivalency to United States-accredited coursework by a University-approved agency. The prospective faculty member is responsible for the cost of the evaluation. McNeese typically accepts evaluations by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. www.ece.org.