IDEA Public Schools Careers

Assessment Manager

Mission: The Assessment Manager plays a mission-critical role by managing the preparation and implementation of assigned national, state, and district student assessments, data collection and reporting through systems and dashboards, and ensuring 100% of students have optimal testing environments across the organization. As a result of this work, stakeholders will correctly follow state and national testing guidelines with 100% fidelity and integrity across the district.  Stakeholders will have accurate and efficient access to student assessment data and can make data-driven instructional decisions for 100% of students.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No direct reports. Must be able to lead and influence others where no direct reporting exists. Specifically, provide guidance and mentorship to assigned campus testing coordinators and testing coordinator leaders. 

Location: This is a full-time, year-round position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, or Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate to one of those regions. 

Travel Expectations: Travel to regional offices or headquarters to attend quarterly in-person departmental meetings is required. Occasional travel within Texas to attend professional development opportunities directly related to the role. Travel to assigned Texas IDEA schools at least once a month, which may include travel to Texas regions outside applicant’s hometown/region.

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

95% of assigned testing program & system deadlines are met on time, based on respective annual operating plans

• Develop, update, and implement annual operating plans for testing programs and systems assigned by the Managing Director of Assessment.
• Support the preparation and administration of norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessments for district, state, and national assessments programs in assigned regions.
• Support the Assessment Administrator with the implementation of testing systems associated with assigned testing programs.
• Develop strong business partnerships with vendor account representatives to ensure the district meets the goal of 100% of students tested with the appropriate test and within the designated deadlines.
• Develop strong business partnerships with applicable district teams to help develop plans and obtain necessary data and information, to include but not be exclusive to the Software Development Team, Student Information Systems Team, State Reporting Team, Research & Analysis Team, College Success Team, Special Programs Team, Individualized Learning Team, and other departments within the organization.
• Develop and deliver high-quality trainings, materials and testing resources/tools to be used districtwide to prepare campuses to administer specific tests.
• Coach and develop assigned testing coordinators to meet the goal of 100% of eligible students complete testing for all appropriate tests within the designated deadlines.
• Follow the district’s paper test material process to ensure proper steps are followed by all stakeholders
• Support the rest of the Assessment Team in the ordering, handling, processing and shipping of paper materials for applicable testing programs.  
• Track student test participation progress towards goals using district-shared tracking systems.

Less than .1% irregularities/incidents districtwide for state & national exams (multi-state management)

• Manage the test materials ordering process for designated tests to ensure 100% of schools have the correct materials on time and in the correct quantities.
• Actively collaborate with district special programs staff to ensure proper accommodations are being implemented for appropriate students.
• Coach and develop testing coordinators to meet the goal of 100% of students participate in the appropriate test administration.
• Conduct investigations aligned to state requirements when testing irregularities or incidents occur, as directed by the Managing Director of Assessment.  
• Track and report 100% of reported testing irregularities in team’s internal trackers, and if confirmed by TEA or District Testing Coordinator as an irregularity, report it to the Texas Education Agency.

Retain high-performing campus Testing Coordinators

• Design and deliver high quality training sessions for testing coordinators so they are prepared to execute on the essential functions of their role
• Facilitate weekly TC check-ins with groups of testing coordinators by region or state.
• Offer testing-related office hours throughout the year to increase support opportunities for testing coordinators.
• Coach and support testing coordinators in person or virtually on testing procedures.
• Develop testing-related training videos and resources and cascade them via Roadmap, the Testing Coordinator TEAMS group, and weekly TC Newsletter, and Superintendent Newsletter to reinforce the knowledge learned at trainings.
• Develop and cascade the TC Playbook as a resource for TC managers.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities: Perform other duties as assigned by the Managing Director of Assessment or other appropriate administrator.

Knowledge and Skills – Competencies

• Make Strategic Decisions: This team member uses data, feedback, and insights to inform thoughtful decision-making, while considering the impact on their direct reports and team. They communicate decisions with clear rationale and begin to connect their choices to broader team objectives.
• Manage Work and Teams: This team member ensures their direct reports have clear, measurable goals with defined benchmarks and success criteria. They actively monitor progress, intervening as needed to keep work on track, while balancing leadership responsibilities with their own individual contributions through effective scheduling.
• Grow Self and Others: This team member uses data to assess development needs and designs learning opportunities that align with team goals and individual career growth. They model a growth mindset by being open about their own development and ensure that both personal and team-led learning initiatives are impactful and well-aligned with organizational priorities.
• Build a Culture of Trust: This team member proactively builds strong personal and professional relationships with individual stakeholders and regularly seeks feedback to improve their work experience. They create a supportive environment where others feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes without fear of retribution.
• Communicate Deliberately: This team member communicates thoughtfully by anticipating potential misunderstandings and providing necessary context to ensure clarity. They leverage structured communication channels to address challenges, ask meaningful questions, and guide conversations toward solutions, while actively listening to the concerns of others.

Additional Skills:

• Knowledge in the administration of state assessments, college admission standardized assessments, and/or testing systems.
• Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel required.
• Provide excellent and timely customer service, and manage through influence
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to problem-solve, take initiative, and develop and maintain relationships with various stakeholders across multiple teams
• Strong communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 3 years of experience as a campus testing coordinator with a proven record of success.  Experience designing and delivering training presentations, virtually and in-person.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience indirectly managing others through influence.
• Certifications: None required.
• Technology: Office equipment, such as a computer, printer, copier, etc.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods of time, but will also stand, walk, talk or listen.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. 

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $68,800 and $79,900, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values