Assessment Specialist

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 39,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The South Dakota Department of Education - Division of Learning and Instruction in Pierre, SD is seeking an Assessment Specialist to oversee state-required assessments and help schools, teachers, and parents interpret results. This full-time role offers the chance to influence classroom practice and state policy.

Ideal candidates bring experience in K-12 education, strong data analysis, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail in complex data and reporting.
• Clear, effective communication with educators and stakeholders.
• Ability to stay composed and professional in high-pressure environments.
• Strong customer service mindset when supporting schools and families.
• Use basic statistical methods to understand assessment trends.
• Make sound, timely decisions based on data and context.
• Actively seek, collect and evaluate information relevant to assessments.
• Demonstrate initiative to learn new assessment tools and processes.
• Solve problems and provide actionable insights from data.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with vendors and school partners.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration of state-required assessments.
• Plan, co-teach, present and debrief with teachers and principals.
• Assist schools in implementing high-quality assessments guiding policy.
• Support use of interim assessments and formative resources.
• Coordinate relationships with assessment vendors and stakeholders.
• Analyze data and contribute to report development.
• Educate stakeholders on new developments in assessment and literacy.
• Explain trends in large-scale assessment data to parents and educators.
• Collaborate with nationwide assessment professionals.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication

Composure

Customer service

Data analysis

Decisiveness

Information seeking

Initiative

Problem solving

Relationship building

Job description

Job ID: 37011

Agency: Department of Education - Division of Learning and Instruction

Location: Pierre, SD Salary: $28.54 - $29.97/hr., depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: J

Closing Date: 08/25/2026

Are you passionate about education and eager to make a real impact on student success? Do you want to help schools and teachers bridge the gap between instruction and learning? If so, we want YOU on our team!

Make A Difference in South Dakota Education!

The Department is looking for a qualified individual to fill the Assessment Specialist position in the Office of Assessment and Accountability.

Assessment Specialists are proactive decision-makers, who work with schools, teachers and peers around the nation to develop high-quality assessments for students and help schools, parents and teachers understand what the results mean. They leverage the latest in technology, telecommunications and data management systems. They are responsible for planning and conducting trainings in assessment and assessment technologies to the K-12 education field. They regularly work with data to understand trends in student growth and achievement.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position with the Department of Education. For more information on the Department of Education, please visit https://doe.sd.gov/ .

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Shape the Future of Education: Help schools, parents, and teachers understand assessment results and use them to drive student growth.
• Collaborate Nationwide: Work with assessment professionals across the country and stay at the forefront of educational best practices.
• Professional Growth: We provide training on the state assessment system - no prior experience required!
• Impact at Scale: Your work will influence policy and practice across South Dakota.

What You'll Do To Make A Difference:

• Oversee the administration of the state-required assessments
• Plan, co-teach, conduct presentations and debrief teachers, principals and other education stakeholders;
• Assist schools in implementation of high-quality assessments that drive state and national policy;
• Support teachers and schools utilize interim assessments and formative assessment resources within the instructional and learning processes
• Coordinate and maintain professional working relationships with the vendors involved in assessment;
• Analyze data and assist in report development;
• Educate teachers, principals and other education stakeholders about the latest developments in assessment and promote assessment literacy
• Help schools, parents, and other stakeholders understand trends in large scale assessment data;
• Be part of a team of professional, dependable and accountable individuals.
• Collaborate with assessment professionals across the nation.

Occasional travel will be required for this position.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

Experience within K-12 Education field.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• ATTENTION TO DETAIL - Attend to all details of assignments and complete work properly, accurately and thoroughly.
• COMMUNICATION - Listen attentively to others and clearly convey information and ideas.
• COMPOSURE - Remain focused in stressful situations and keep emotions under control at all times.
• CUSTOMER SERVICE - Treat customers courteously and respond to their needs.
• DATA ANALYSIS - Use basic statistical procedures to understand trends in assessment data.
• DECISIVENESS - Exercise sound judgment when making decisions and take prompt, decisive action.
• INFORMATION SEEKING - Actively seek, collect and evaluate information to learn more about issues or events.
• INITIATIVE - Display a high level of effort and commitment towards completing assignments and goals.
• PROBLEM SOLVING - Analyze problems and make sound decisions.
• RELATIONSHIP BUILDING - Work to build and maintain professional relationships with people who provide information, assistance or support.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'

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