NAEP 2026 – Traveling Assessment Administrator

Westat; New York (NY); Remote; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A research organization is seeking motivated individuals for the role of Traveling Assessment Administrators. The position involves administering assessments in schools nationwide and requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills, along with flexibility for travel. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to fulfill physical requirements, such as lifting equipment. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the National Assessment of Educational Progress study.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Available to travel nationwide.
• Successfully complete online training.

Responsibilities

• Administer assessments for grades 4, 8, and 12.
• Assist with preparation and assessment-related activities.
• Travel extensively across the U.S. for 2 weeks at a time.

Skills

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Interpersonal skills

Technical proficiency

Job description

Westat is currently seeking motivated individuals committed to excellence and experienced in working with primary and secondary school students to work as Traveling Assessment Administrators for the 2026 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) study. NAEP stands as the nation's most comprehensive, ongoing measure of student knowledge and skills, providing nationally representative insights into what U.S. students know and can achieve across a range of subject areas.

The primary role of the NAEP 2026 Traveling Assessment Administrator (AA) is to administer assessments for grades 4, 8, and 12 in public and private schools. In addition to administering assessments, AAs assist with preparation and other assessment-related activities in collaboration with assessment coordinators. This position requires extensive travel across the United States, requiring flexibility to work in various locations as needed, often for 2-week intervals, with the option to return home between trips.

Success in this role demands strong organizational, adaptability, and interpersonal skills. It also requires some technical proficiency to operate and troubleshoot devices.

Basic Qualifications

• Be 18 or older (or an emancipated minor) with the ability to enter binding confidentiality agreements to protect project information.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be willing to travel nationwide during the field period, with the option to return home every 2 weeks.
• Be able to successfully complete online training modules in early to mid-January 2026.
• Be able to successfully attend a 1-day, virtual meeting that will be conducted between mid to late January 2026.

Training dates may be subject to changes.

Minimum Requirements

• Be available to work for the specified field period of January 5, 2026, to March 20, 2026.
• Be available to work up to 40 hours per week, when work is available.
• Be able to meet the physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodations:
  • Lift cases of up to 50 pounds of project equipment/materials in and out of a vehicle and onto a rolling cart for transport to and from the testing location.
  • Push and pull a rolling cart of project equipment/materials across parking lots and school buildings. Must be able to lift each 50-pound case and place them on the cart, as well as lift them off the cart.
  • Climb a flight of stairs while carrying equipment and/or materials.
  • Bend down to set up computers and tablets, plug and unplug devices to outlets, lay gaffers' tape over floor cords for safety.
  • Be able to move around the room to monitor assessment activities and respond to students' questions.
  • Stand for up to 2 hours at a time while monitoring assessments.
• Have regular and reliable access to telephone service with a long-distance calling feature, either landline or cellular.
• Have reliable access to a computer with a secure internet connection to complete training modules over several consecutive hours, including the ability to access audio files either through speakers or a headset.
• Have consistent access to a fully insured, reliable vehicle.
• Have a current and valid driver's license that is not under suspension.

Preferred Criteria

• Have experience working with children or in a school environment.
• Have the technical ability to set up equipment and troubleshoot technical issues by following step-by-step procedures.
• Be able to adapt to new software and technical tools quickly.
• Be capable of following explicit instructions to download an application from the Internet on a tablet or laptop.
• Have the capability to work independently and collaboratively in team settings, including schools with students across multiple grade levels.
• Have effective communication skills, particularly with school staff regarding technical requirements and assessment logistics.
• Possess strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law.