Lead, Accessibility and Inclusion
Location: Remote
Job ID: 47551

JOB POSTING

This position works remotely requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

NOTIFICATIONS

UC Vaccination Policy: With limited exceptions, https://news.ucsc.edu/2021/07/systemwide-vaccination-policy.htmlhttps://news.ucsc.edu/2021/07/systemwide-vaccination-policy.html for Covered Individuals under the Policy. Covered Individuals include all employees, students, or trainees who physically access a University facility or program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training.

Covered Individuals do NOT include employees who work 100% remotely with NO expectation that they will physically access any University location or program at ANY time. If 100% remote work ends, the employee is subject to policy.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz staff jobs are posted until filled. Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. NOTE: Materials submitted after the IRD will be forwarded only at the request of the hiring unit. Submit your materials before the IRD to ensure consideration by the hiring unit.

The IRD for this job is: 01-30-2023

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 15 members (13 states, one territory and the Bureau of Indian Education). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.

Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed — regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.

Smarter Balanced staff have a profound commitment to UCSC's Principles of Community including embracing diversity, equity and inclusion.

UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demand of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs, or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.

More information can be found here: https://smarterbalanced.org

JOB SUMMARY

Uses advanced technical skills related to learning management systems, multimedia design, assessment systems, communication tools, streaming media platforms, and multimedia creative applications to meet unique and often "new" requirements related to accessible and inclusive online ELA/literacy and math assessment design and development. Provides strategic analysis of accessibility and inclusion policies, collaborating with Content for Teaching and Learning and Psychometrics and Research. Serves as central point of contact for other departments, innovations, and member contact.

Analysis of project requirements requires in-depth evaluation and understanding of content standards and assessment development best practices, including assessment development that aligns to the organization's goals on accessibility and inclusion. Interacts with senior internal and external personnel, utilizing an exceptional command of communications that represents the organization. Assumes responsibility for major components of accessibility resources in the assessment and resources development processes at Smarter Balanced. Provides guidance to other assessment and curriculum designers to ensure consistency and high quality in alignment with organizational goals. Works with technical experts and service providers to ensure the Smarter Balanced assessment system addresses the depth and breadth of the member states' standards in an authentic manner that serves as signals for high quality instruction. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for creating high quality accessible and inclusive assessments in grades 3-8 and high school. Oversees internal teams and provides content leadership for accessibility and inclusion. Manages / oversees contracts and budgets related to development workstreams.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Salary Information: Salary Range: $75,900 - $139,700 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

No. of Positions: 1

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: This is a Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 006147 (INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER 4)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Assessment Development

• Applies advanced professional accessibility and inclusion expertise and technology skills to create online and print ready assessments that support member state standards and learning objectives.
• Consults with member states and decision makers to determine priorities and implementation to meet priorities for accessibility and inclusion educational content and advocates technology tools and creative processes that advances the consortium's priorities around item, test and instructional resource development.
• Leads and oversees the creation of high quality accessible and inclusive assessment and curriculum content. Establishes detailed schedules for individual or multiple projects and oversees production, including overseeing external contractors and member representatives who contribute to production.
• Collaborates on and/or oversees test content and supports resources to meet requirements for accessibility and inclusion--including but not limited to the selection of extant texts from robust and diverse sources, development of accessibility resources for diverse student populations (including English learners and students with disabilities) and adequately integrating the implementation of use of various resources.

40% - Assessment Planning and Project Support

• Resolves undesirable aspects of accessibility resources and policies by proposing strategic solutions and resolving potential weaknesses identified by psychometric analysis.
• Recommends strategy regarding new accessibility resources for ELA/literacy and math.
• Monitors assessment issues during active testing windows and resolves issues with staff and stakeholders.
• Manages and oversees contracts and budgets related to accessibility-specific work-streams.
• Works in a collaborative manner with other instructional designers, technology staff, faculty, and teaching assistants and demonstrates diplomacy and tact in all communications. Collaborates with a small team to plan and execute accessibility and inclusion resource development.
• Solves complex content or resource related issues in assessment and curriculum content through applying best practices in the field, recommending and implementing technology tools and approaches; produces development processes for use within and across teams.
• Develops proposals and recommendations to guide and support a broader strategic direction for the development of accessibility and inclusion resources for formative, interim, and summative assessments in support of member and Consortium needs.

20% - Stakeholder Engagement

• Actively seeks out knowledge from member stakeholders and the field of new and emerging accessibility and inclusion innovations and technologies.
• Leads and directs a wide variety of projects and follows through with all levels of staff and individuals inside and outside the organization to develop items, assessments, and resources, including supplemental resources in support of the accessibility and inclusion resources for interim and summative assessments. Executes independent decision making in support of the Consortium accessibility and inclusion goals on assessments.
• Responds to stakeholder questions and/or provides consultation to stakeholders on the development of accessible and inclusive assessments, as appropriate, for the entire Consortium.
• Plans, oversees, and provides as necessary systems that include teacher and other specialist participation in the development and review of the accessibility and inclusion of Smarter Balanced technology and content.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in education and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Advanced ability to conduct analysis and develop recommendations, demonstrating organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Advanced written communication skills.
• Advanced verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Advanced collaboration and negotiation skills.
• Advanced knowledge of accessibility and inclusion policies that impact assessment development.
• Advanced knowledge of universal design principles.
• Experience selecting a diversity of extant texts from different sources in alignment with specified standards for use in educational assessments.
• Expert level skills in application of planning, resourcing and monitoring of effective design life cycles of assessment to support the organization.
• Thorough knowledge to conduct appropriate job and task analyses in the context of assessment design of technical or specialized training.
• Highly skilled communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with and influence others, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience leading large, complex projects.
• 5 years' experience in the area of accessible and inclusive assessment development and / or equivalent experience.
• Educational experience with disabled and/or linguistically diverse students.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced knowledge of organization policies and procedures.
• Advanced understanding of business strategies and market priorities related to online assessment and achievement of organizational goals.
• Advanced knowledge and skills with relevant business software systems and content creation tools.
• Experience in implementing contracts with state education agencies and/or school districts.
• In your most recent position, engaged in work necessary to address the terms of a contract either as a direct service provider or part of an organization that provides products and services.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• Must be able to work remotely from a home office and be able to fulfill requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work overtime including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays to meet operational needs, and work an alternate work schedule shift as required.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The University of California has implemented a https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/SARS-CoV-2_Covid-19 covering all employees. To be compliant with the policy, covered employees must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exception or deferral, eight (8) weeks from date of hire.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

HOW TO APPLY

Attach your resume and cover letter when applying for this job opening. Do not attach any documents to 'My Activities'. Visit our https://shr.ucsc.edu/talent-acquisition/applicant_resources/how-to-apply/index.html tutorial for detailed instructions on our applicant process.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS

View full job description and access on-line application:

https://apptrkr.com/3790623

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

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