Psychometrician (Education Associate) - 61069913

Full Job Description

The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) is to serve students, support teachers, empower parents, and engage the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential.

Job Purpose:

Are you passionate about using data, research, and assessment science to improve educational outcomes for students across South Carolina? Do you enjoy solving complex problems, working with large datasets, and ensuring accuracy in statewide testing programs? If so, we invite you to join our team!

We are seeking a psychometrician to coordinate and monitor psychometric projects with our state assessments to ensure tests are of high technical quality.

The position requires monitoring work conducted by testing contractors, serving as a consultant and resource person for staff, committees, the State Board of Education, and the State Superintendent of Education.

Responsibilities:

As a key member of our Office of Assessment, you will:

Lead and Support K-12 Assessment Projects

• Coordinate and monitor statewide assessment projects for grades K-12.
• Evaluate test materials for psychometric soundness, including reviewing test forms, score reports, and item analyses.
• Conduct sampling, standard setting, equating, linking, and calibration activities aligned to assessment goals and psychometric best practices.

Ensure High-Quality Test Scoring & Reporting

• Collaborate with SCDE teams and external contractors to oversee scoring and reporting of statewide assessments.
• Use SAS programming to perform quality-control checks on data files, merge datasets, and generate key assessment statistics at the state, district, school, and subgroup levels for public reporting.

Maintain Essential Documentation

• Create, organize, and maintain both routine and technical documentation supporting state assessment programs.

Conduct Research to Drive Improvement

• Carry out SCDE research studies that inform educational policy, accountability, and program effectiveness.

Serve as a Resource Across the Agency

• Provide guidance and technical expertise to other offices as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by your supervisor.

This position is located in the Office of Assessment and Standards.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree and experience in education, management or business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and experience in education, management or business.
• Preferred: Master's degree or Ph.D. in measurement and statistics and five (5) years’ experience in psychometric work.
• Intermediate to advanced SAS and SAS macro programming skills are required.
• Experience in measurement theory (e.g., Rasch model and item response theory); cognitive test design and construction, including performance assessments; scoring and reporting; and analysis and interpretation of test data is preferred.

• Strong organizational skills, including an ability to manage multiple priorities with competing demands for resources.
• Commitment to continually building on existing knowledge and skills to be up to date on the latest technology and analysis innovations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment while demonstrating sound judgement and making timely, effective decisions.

Additional Information

As a part of a generous compensation package, we offer comprehensive benefits that include generous paid time off, preeminent health care benefits, professional development opportunities, pension, a 401(k), and a hybrid work schedule with opportunity for remote work after one year of employment.

The South Carolina Department of Education offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS CHOSEN FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER THAT THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.

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