Test Development Specialist, English Language Arts

Jobtailor; Maple Grove (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced English Language Arts assessment developer to lead the creation of test items, blueprints, and scoring rubrics for statewide programs. You will collaborate with senior staff to plan, organize, and oversee item development and reviews.

You will write and edit items, facilitate workshops, and help ensure alignment with national and state standards while managing diverse teams and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• BS in education or related field.
• Three years of teaching experience in English Language Arts at the elementary, middle school or high school level.
• In-depth knowledge of English Language Arts, including curriculum and instruction.
• Knowledge of assessment trends and test publishing industry standards.
• Knowledge of teaching “best practices” in English Language Arts.
• Experience with diverse populations is a plus (e.g., ELL or SPED).
• Experience working in teams and meeting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support all steps in the development of statewide English Language Arts testing programs.
• Develop content-specific assessment passages, items, item specifications, test blueprints, and ancillary materials.
• Facilitate committee reviews, including bias reviews, item-data reviews, standard settings, and alignment studies.
• Work with Senior Test Development Specialists, Project Leads, Managers, and Directors to plan and organize assigned assessment work.
• Assign tasks to support staff, freelance contractors, passage and item writers, item-development coordinators, and other project team members as needed.
• Build client-focused relationships with content-area counterparts in state departments of education.
• Develop domain-specific item development plans, specifications, test blueprints, style guides, and item writer training manuals.
• Facilitate item writer workshops.
• Write, review, revise, and edit items.
• Develop scoring guidelines and rubrics for constructed-response and performance assessments.
• Support range-finding activities.
• Develop pilot, field test, and operational forms.
• Support development of test ancillaries, including test directions and practice tests.
• Support final review processes and final sign-off of printers’ proofs.
• Support state committee reviews, including content item and bias reviews, alignment studies, and standard-settings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Teaching English Language Arts

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Adaptability

Travel willingness

Education

BS in education or related field

Tools

Basic Computer Skills

Job description

• Support all steps in the development of statewide English Language Arts testing programs
• Develop content-specific assessment passages, items, item specifications, test blueprints, and ancillary materials
• Facilitate committee reviews, including bias reviews, item-data reviews, standard settings, and alignment studies
• Work with Senior Test Development Specialists, Project Leads, Managers, and Directors to plan and organize assigned assessment work
• Assign tasks to support staff, freelance contractors, passage and item writers, item-development coordinators, and other project team members as needed
• Build client-focused relationships with content-area counterparts in state departments of education
• Develop domain-specific item development plans, specifications, test blueprints, style guides, and item writer training manuals
• Facilitate item writer workshops
• Write, review, revise, and edit items
• Develop scoring guidelines and rubrics for constructed-response and performance assessments
• Support range-finding activities
• Develop pilot, field test, and operational forms
• Support development of test ancillaries, including test directions and practice tests
• Support final review processes and final sign-off of printers’ proofs
• Support state committee reviews, including content item and bias reviews, alignment studies, and standard-settings
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• BS in education or related field
• Minimum of three years of teaching experience in English Language Arts at the elementary, middle school or high school level or related experience
• In-depth knowledge of English Language Arts, including curriculum and instruction
• General knowledge of assessment trends and test publishing industry standards
• Knowledge of teaching “best practices” in English Language Arts
• Experience working with special populations is a plus, e.g., English language learners or special education
• Experience working in teams
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills
• Ability to solve problems and find solutions to complex issues when writing, reviewing, and/or revising items and/or constructing test forms
• Ability to adjust to changing circumstances and direction as required
• Willingness to travel for periods lasting up to one week
• Knowledge of national and state-specific curriculum standards
• Experience in writing and editing test items
• Experience in constructing test forms
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to work under supervision and accept feedback
• Ability to relate effectively and work respectfully with diverse work groups
• Ability to consistently perform well during times of increased workload
• Ability to set and meet deadlines

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in English Language Arts assessment development, including writing, reviewing, and revising test items, as well as creating test blueprints and scoring guidelines. Proven ability to collaborate with diverse teams and facilitate workshops while maintaining strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• English Language Arts Assessment Development
• Test Item Writing and Editing
• Curriculum Standards Knowledge
• Team Collaboration
• Communication Skills

Hard Skills

• Test Blueprint Development
• Item Specification Creation
• Scoring Guidelines Development
• Bias Review Facilitation
• Item Writer Training
• Constructed-Response Assessment
• Field Test Development
• Assessment Trends Knowledge
• Teaching Best Practices
• Special Population Experience

Soft Skills

• Problem-Solving
• Adaptability
• Relationship Building
• Feedback Acceptance
• Work Under Pressure

Industry Keywords

• Test Publishing Standards
• Curriculum and Instruction
• State-Specific Standards
• Diverse Work Groups
• Teaching Experience

Tools & Technologies

• Basic Computer Skills