Job Summary:
The Assessment Researcher position is located within the Assessment department and will report to the Director of Test Development. This position will be responsible for 1) contributing to test development and research within the WIDA Assessment Team, focusing on reviews of test content and rater training materials for WIDA's main suite of English language proficiency tests, and 2) supporting existing research projects. Additionally, Assessment Researchers are expected to represent WIDA at academic and industry conferences, as well as test development events involving educators and/or other stakeholders.
Remote work is an option for this position on a voluntary basis; however, it is important to note that this role is headquartered in Madison, WI, and the tasks of the position require occasional work-related travel. If working remotely out-of-state, travel back to UW-Madison would not be reimbursable, and other business travel will require cost comparisons between your home and Madison, WI.
UW Travel Policy and Remote Work Policies outline business travel requirements for fully remote employees, and WIDA is committed to supporting employees with their business travel and minimizing or eliminating out-of-pocket expenses whenever possible. Please review UW Remote Work Policy UW-5087, in particular, Section III, Part G which addresses an employee's Headquarters Location. We will be happy to support and address questions about remote work or travel during the interview process.
Responsibilities:
Provides technical expertise to fundamental and/or applied scientific research under the direction of senior research personnel or faculty.
- 35% Collects and analyzes basic research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures
- 30% Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities and assists with publications
- 10% Trains individuals and groups on equipment operations, research protocols, and techniques within a specialized laboratory or research area
- 15% Assists with the development of research methodologies and procedures
- 5% Identifies concerns and recommends solutions to leadership
- 5% Assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Required
Master's Degree in the field of Language Assessment, Second Language Acquisition, Curriculum and Instruction, or equivalent.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 3 years of experience with large-scale proficiency language test development in English. Experience developing language assessments for kindergarten preferred.
- Minimum 3 years of experience conducting research in assessment and second language acquisition in K-12.
- Experience performing content reviews and providing constructive feedback to item writers.
- Experience developing scoring rubrics (in writing and/or speaking domains).
- Experience conducting face-to-face and online presentations on assessment-related topics to national and international audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%
It is anticipated this position will be remote and requires work be performed at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $70,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please visit: https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/ https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.
Additional Information:
What is WIDA? For over 20 years, WIDA has provided a trusted, comprehensive approach to supporting, teaching, and assessing multilingual learners. We are an educational services organization that advances language development and academic achievement for multilingual children in early childhood and grades K-12. In short, we provide educators around the world with high-quality language standards, assessments, professional learning, and research. We are proud to be a part of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) within UW-Madison's nationally ranked School of Education. Visit https://wida.wisc.edu/about/careers and watch our Introduction to WIDA video to see why WIDA is an incredible place to work!
WIDA operates in a Windows-based environment, and a Dell PC laptop will be issued for use in this role. Software and virtual connection tools that are critical to our work dictate that WIDA staff work on a PC.
How to Apply:
Please click on the "Apply Now" button to start the application process. As part of the application process, you will be required to submit:
- A cover letter describing how your experience and qualifications meet the requirements of this position.
- A current resume or CV.
- A list of at least three professional references, including contact information.
A successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment.
Contact:
Kelly Krahenbuhl
humanresources@wida.us
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Researcher I(RE040)
Department(s):
A17-SCHOOL OF EDUCATION/WCER
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
313539-AS
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all diverse backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings,
click hereIf you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:
https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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