Assessment Specialist

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all scholars are educated self-directed and productive members of society.

ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST

Department: Community and Scholar Affairs

Unit: Professional and Administrative Exempt

Wage: Grade 109

Compensation isnon-negotiable and isbased on the candidates years of verified and relevant experience as determined by Human Resources.

Direct Supervisor: Director of Assessment & Evaluation

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Assessment & Evaluation the Assessment Specialist is a full-time in-office role. This position may occasionally work beyond regular hours to support projects and meet deadlines. The Assessment Specialist provides leadership and coordination in the planning administration analysis and continuous improvement of the districts comprehensive assessment system. Serving as the district testing coordinator this role ensures assessments are administered securely accurately and in compliance with all regulations. The Assessment Specialist partners with district leaders principals and teachers to build assessment literacy facilitate data-informed decision-making and support school improvement initiatives. Through professional learning data analysis and cross-department collaboration this position promotes equitable assessment practices and the effective use of scholar achievement data to improve outcomes for all learners.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties knowledge and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinate and manage districtwide administration of annual and interim summative assessments with a primary focus on NWEA MAP Growth and College Board SAT suite of assessments.
• Serve as the district testing coordinator ensuring compliance with The Michigan Department of Education vendors and internal testing policies and procedures.
• Support school leadership and executive directors in analyzing assessment data to inform School Improvement Plans and instructional decision making.
• Develop and deliver professional learning for teachers principals and support staff on assessment administration data interpretation and instructional use of results.
• Provide district leadership and training in the security and integrity of assessment programs.
• Analyze district building and subgroup performance trends and findings to district leadership.
• Create and maintain district assessment calendars guidance documents manuals and communication materials.
• Monitor testing participation and completion rates and collaborating with schools to resolve barriers to scholar participation.
• Provide technical and procedural support to school testing coordinators before during and after testing windows.
• Manage assessment platforms and reporting systems including user access accommodations setup and data verification.
• Support development of a balanced assessment system and promote assessment literacy across the district.
• Serve on local and state committees appropriate to this role.
• Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

• Masters degree in education or related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years experience in an educational or education-related field with responsibilities related to scholar assessment testing coordination data analysis scholar information systems and/or accountability.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience serving as a school or district testing coordinator.
• Experience working with NWEA MAP Growth College Board and/or Michigan state assessments.
• Experience supporting school improvement planning or data team facilitation.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate professional learning to adult learners.
• Ability to build relationships and provide customer service-oriented support to schools.
• Knowledge of assessment literacy principles including validity reliability and appropriate use of data.
• Ability to interpret data and translate findings into actionable instructional guidance.
• Ability to facilitate collaborative data discussions with educators and leadership teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to tailor communication to varied audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple large-scale projects and timelines simultaneously.
• Skill in creating clear guidance documents presentations and training materials.
• Ability to solve problems under time sensitive conditions during testing windows.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data handling and reporting.
• Proficiency in spreadsheets data visualization tools and scholar information/assessment platforms.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold testing ethics and security protocols.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands work environment factors and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job the employee may be required to exert up to fifty pounds of force occasionally and/or up to thirty pounds of force frequently and/or up to ten pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee is required to stand walk sit use hands to finger handle or feel reach with hands and arms climb or balance stoop kneel crouch or crawl talk hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to compare analyze communicate both orally and in writing copy coordinate instruct compute synthesize evaluate use interpersonal skills compile and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race sex sexual orientation gender gender identity and expression height weight color religion national origin age marital status pregnancy disability veteran or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at ( or

Required Experience:

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