ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Director of Institutional Effectiveness, the Assessment Specialist provides design and measurement expertise to ensure the quality of program-level assessment. The position works closely with faculty to develop effective assessment plans to improve student learning. The Assessment Specialist develops on-going relationships with faculty to support a culture of assessment. The position also provides expertise to administrative units across the University in planning and evaluation and assessment of the QEP. By providing expertise in assessment methods, tools and practices, the Assessment Specialist works to promote a culture of continuous improvement across the University.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS: Manage all aspects of the University’s systematic and integrated process of assessment of academic programs. Consult with faculty department chairs, department faculty and school assessment committees to develop and improve their annual assessment plans. Assist them in the development and implementation of direct assessment measures of student learning outcomes tied to program/department goals. Provide expertise in the development of assessment instruments and methodology. Manage the successful completion and timely submission of annual assessment and action plans in the fall. Review assessment and action plans and work with faculty to revise their plans as needed to ensure continuous improvement. Manage the successful completion and timely submission of annual assessment and status reports in the early summer. Review assessment and status reports and work with faculty to revise their reports as needed to ensure continuous improvement. Work assiduously with faculty throughout the year to ensure that all academic programs submit their assessment and action plans and their assessment and status reports in compliance with SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation.

ADMINISTRATIVE PLANNING AND EVALUATION PROCESS: Manage all aspects of the University’s systematic and integrated process of administrative planning and evaluation. Consult with administrative department heads to develop and improve their annual evaluation plans. Assist them in the development and implementation of indirect and/or direct evaluation measures tied to department goals. Provide expertise with the identification and/or development of program evaluation tools. Manage the successful completion and timely submission of annual evaluation and action plans in the fall. Review evaluation and action plans and work with administrators to revise their plans as needed to ensure continuous improvement. Manage the successful completion and timely submission of annual evaluation and status reports in the summer. Review evaluation and status reports and work with administrators to revise their reports as needed to ensure continuous improvement. Work assiduously with faculty throughout the year to ensure that all academic programs submit their assessment and action plans and their assessment and status reports in compliance with SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation.

GENERAL EDUCATION ASSESSMENT PROCESS: Manage the assessment processes for the University’s two general education programs and complete the assessment reports. The general education assessment process includes assessment of the first-year seminar program, the fields of study courses and second language acquisition in the traditional undergraduate schools, as well as the common seminar and areas of study in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. Work directly with general education instructors to complete the assessment process. This includes identifying courses to be assessed, notifying instructors in advance, educating instructors on the assessment process, reminding instructors throughout the semester, collecting assessment results from each instructor, following up as needed, compiling the aggregate results and returning to instructors for feedback, collecting feedback from instructors and incorporating it into the final assessment report. Work with the University’s General Education Committee, the full-time faculty in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies, the Coordinator of First-Year Seminar program and the First-Year Seminar Committee to develop and improve assessment of general education competencies.

QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PLAN: Develop an assessment plan for each QEP as part of the 10-year SACSCOC accreditation process. Develop and refine assessment instruments as needed for the QEP assessment plan in response to changes in objectives, updates to expects outcomes, and suggestions from the SACSCOC on-site committee (when applicable). Work with QEP faculty to educate them about the process, what they will be required to do, and the timeline for assessment. Work with the QEP director and coordinator to train faculty in and to monitor assessment activities. Summarize, analyze and disseminate assessment results to University constituents. Work closely with director to write the assessment section of the fifth-year, QEP Impact Report. Work with the director to identify and resolve any QEP compliance issues that arise.

SACSCOC ACCREDITATION SUPPORT: Work closely with director in troubleshooting and resolving accreditation compliance issues. Annually document compliance with institutional effectiveness requirements and compliance for the QEP Impact Report. Working in partnership with the director, develop and write the assessment section of the QEP Impact Report and responses to institutional effectiveness requirements for the 10-year Compliance Certification Report and the Fifth Year Interim Report. Attend SACSCOC annual meeting and utilize SACSCOC resources to enhance knowledge and expertise regarding compliance, accreditation and continuous improvement.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• EXPERT CONSULTATION: Provide expert consultation to academic programs and administrative departments on student learning outcomes and assessment, research methodology, and data analysis and interpretation for their planning and assessment activities.
• RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING: Continually build and sustain relationships with faculty department chairs and other key faculty as well as administrative department heads and other administrators to promote continuous improvement and ensure follow-through. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the complexities of academia. Work with academic departments to promote a culture of assessment. Work with administrative department heads to promote a culture of planning and evaluation. Employ sensitivity to challenges in fostering an institution-wide culture and commitment to continuous improvement.
• MANAGE SYSTEMATIC PROCESSES: Utilize excellent organizational skills, determination, persistence and diplomacy to manage the University’s systematic, integrated processes for academic program assessment, administrative planning and evaluation, general education assessment, and QEP assessment.
• TASKSTREAM ACCOUNTABILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Jointly with director, serve as system administrator for Taskstream. Manage the University’s assessment and evaluation workspaces in Taskstream. Create workspace templates and workspaces, maintain the organizational hierarchy for the University reflecting changes to the academic program or organizational chart, enroll users and manage access, set up new assessment cycles each year, provide direct training for faculty and staff users, review plan and report submissions through Taskstream and publish results to University’s Taskstream webpages.
• OUTREACH: Analyze, synthesize, interpret, summarize and report information to disseminate assessment results to key internal and external constituents. Report research findings to University committees and leadership as relevant. Educate University constituents about assessment, continuous improvement, the QEP and SACSCOC institutional effectiveness requirements.
• SERVICE- AND OUTCOME-ORIENTATION: Model a service- and outcome-oriented approach in daily activities. Demonstrate a strong commitment to working collaboratively with faculty. Employ patience and persistence to ensure compliance and achieve results.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience with both the theory and practical application of learning assessment in a higher education environment, especially direct measures of student learning outcomes. Knowledge of Excel or SPSS or similar program for data analysis. Skill in qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, and reporting. Must be detail-oriented and have excellent interpersonal, customer service, organization and planning, prioritization, problem-solving, follow-through, time management, and oral and written communication skills. Also, must be flexible and possess the ability to successfully handle multiple projects simultaneously and work well independently as well as part of a team.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in educational measurement and evaluation, educational research and statistics or a related field required. A doctorate preferred. A minimum of 3 years professional level experience in assessment, evaluation or a related area.

WORK HOURS:

• Full-time, exempt position
• Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; 7.75 hrs./day; 38.75 hrs./week; opportunities for occasional remote work

SALARY STRUCTURE:

Pay Grade 9 (Hiring Range: $70,887.00 to $97,475.00 annually)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $70,887.00 - $97,475.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location

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