Manager, Listening Test Development

Company Description

**Applicants must submit both a resume and a cover letter to be considered for this position.**

The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) is a nonprofit organization promoting access, equity, and mutual understanding for linguistically and culturally diverse people around the world.

CAL’s mission is to promote language learning and cultural understanding by serving as a trusted source for research, resources, and policy analysis. Through its work, CAL seeks solutions to issues involving language and culture as they relate to access and equity in education and society around the globe.

CAL is located in Washington, D.C. For this position, the employee may choose to work in their preferred combination of in person at the D.C. office in a hoteling capacity, or remotely (up to 100% remote). CAL does not compensate or reimburse candidates for relocation expenses. This position is not open to candidates residing in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, California, or the U.S. Territories.

Job Description

The Manager, Listening Test Development, is responsible for overseeing the development of Listening test items and ancillary materials for the WIDA suite of assessments, which are largescale English language proficiency assessments for multilingual learners in grades 112. This position involves reviewing, revising, and approving test items (linguistic content, graphics, scripts, audio files) that align to the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, with a focus on the language domain of Listening.

The Manager, Listening Test Development, oversees the test development process from start to finish. This position develops test refreshment plans, timelines, and procedures; provides comprehensive feedback to test developers; and signs off on test items at critical points in the development process.

Essential Duties

Item Development

• Manage test development staff who write, review, revise, and select Listening test items based on item specifications, test maps, and blueprints
• Evaluate test items for item difficulty, oral language features, linguistic complexity, gradelevel appropriateness, content correctness, universal accessibility, appropriate scaffolding, fairness, sensitivity, and adherence to style guides
• Give clear, constructive, and timely feedback to test developers on test item text and graphics using test item specifications
• Sign off on test item content at the end of each phase of the item development cycle
• Work in close collaboration with managers and directors across functional teams and partner organizations to coordinate efforts
• Produce and execute project plans and timelines for test item development in coordination with client and other vendors
• Oversee the development and revision of item specifications and sign off on revisions
• Coordinate the recruitment and contracting of consultant item writers and reviewers
• Steer the creation of training materials to prepare item writers and reviewers
• Ensure test development staff provide content, administrative, and technical support for item writers and reviewers
• Lead meetings during which stakeholders review the content, fairness, and gradeappropriateness of test items, and ensure stakeholder feedback on test items is resolved
• Work with test development staff and audio recording studio to cast actors and produce recordings for Listening test items, overseeing recording sessions and quality monitoring
• Write, review, and edit written reports, procedures, and foundational documents for internal and external stakeholders
• Update and maintain style guides and item development checklists
• Ensure test development staff follow quality control and test security procedures

• Field Test

  • Conduct pilot testing and cognitive lab interviews in support of test development
  • Coordinate, conduct, and sign off on quality checks of field test QTI packages and ancillary materials
  • Organize and execute independent answer key verifications
  • Review and update field test functional rules

  • Operational Test and Database Management

    • Review and approve test maps, test forms, ancillary documents, test practice items, and sample items for the public
    • Write, review, and maintain test and item design plans
    • Write, review, and maintain the Listening Test Construct Framework document
    • Ensure accuracy of data in test item databases

    • Supervision

      • Set functional team goals and expectations for Listening test development
      • Monitor progress and performance of staff completing Listening test development tasks
      • Mentor test development staff in their job duties and professional goals
      • Fulfill administrative responsibilities related to hiringretention and performance reviews

      • Other duties as assigned

        Qualifications

        Education and Experience

        A Manager, Listening Test Development must have

        • A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, in a relevant field, with at least two years of relevant experience.
        • Expertise in the development of largescale English oral language proficiency assessments for K12 multilingual learners.

        • The ideal candidate for this role has

          • Experience supervising the development of test items in a highstakes context.
          • Experience managing complex assessment projects.
          • Deep familiarity with the oral language that K12 multilingual learners must understand to be successful in U.S. school settings.
          • Experience teaching K12 multilingual learners in U.S. school contexts.

          • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

            A Manager, Listening Test Development must be able to

            • Apply their understanding of multilingual learners’ English oral language development and K12 education standards and practices to the development of oral language proficiency test items.
            • Coordinate remote staff across multiple tasks to meet deadlines and quality control expectations.
            • Provide clear, constructive feedback that both improves test items and builds staff understanding and skills.
            • Understand complex test designs with multiple interconnected parts.
            • Work independently with minimal supportsupervision.
            • Prioritize tasks appropriately, meet deadlines, and work well within a collaborative, fully remote team.
            • Attend closely to details without losing sight of the bigger picture.
            • Demonstrate flexibility in responding to feedback and evolving project priorities.
            • Show leadership to attain team goals.
            • Bring both analytical and creative approaches to problem solving.

            • The ideal candidate for this role has

              • Exemplary writing, editing, and proofreading skills in English.
              • Excellent organization, planning, and time management skills.
              • Strong oral and written interpersonal communication skills.
              • Proficiency in a language other than English.
              • At least intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office and Smartsheet, or other work management platforms.

              • Travel Requirements

                • This position requires occasional travel (13 times per year).

                • Additional Information

                  COMPENSATION:

                  Minimum Salary: $75,000 ; Benefits eligible

                  Fulltime

                  PHYSICAL DEMANDS

                  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to effectively communicate. The employee may be required to sit or stand in a stationary position for 50% of the time. This position constantly operates a computer and other office productivity equipment. CAL adheres to ADA compliance and guidelines as a common practice.

                  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                  This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

                  AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONEQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

                  The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, CAL complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

                  CAL expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of CAL employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.