Manager, Listening Test Development

The Manager, Listening Test Development, is responsible for overseeing the development of Listening test items and ancillary materials for the WIDA suite of assessments, which are large-scale English language proficiency assessments for multilingual learners in grades 1-12. This position involves reviewing, revising, and approving test items (linguistic content, graphics, scripts, audio files) that align to the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, with a focus on the language domain of Listening.  The Manager, Listening Test Development, oversees the test development process from start to finish. This position develops test refreshment plans, timelines, and procedures; provides comprehensive feedback to test developers; and signs off on test items at critical points in the development process.  ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Item Development Manage test development staff who write, review, revise, and select Listening test items based on item specifications, test maps, and blueprints Evaluate test items for item difficulty, oral language features, linguistic complexity, grade-level appropriateness, content correctness, universal accessibility, appropriate scaffolding, fairness, sensitivity, and adherence to style guides Give clear, constructive, and timely feedback to test developers on test item text and graphics using test item specifications Sign off on test item content at the end of each phase of the item development cycle Work in close collaboration with managers and directors across functional teams and partner organizations to coordinate efforts  Produce and execute project plans and timelines for test item development in coordination with client and other vendors Oversee the development and revision of item specifications and sign off on revisions Coordinate the recruitment and contracting of consultant item writers and reviewers Steer the creation of training materials to prepare item writers and reviewers  Ensure test development staff provide content, administrative, and technical support for item writers and reviewers Lead meetings during which stakeholders review the content, fairness, and grade-appropriateness of test items, and ensure stakeholder feedback on test items is resolved Work with test development staff and audio recording studio to cast actors and produce recordings for Listening test items, overseeing recording sessions and quality monitoring Write, review, and edit written reports, procedures, and foundational documents for internal and external stakeholders Update and maintain style guides and item development checklists Ensure test development staff follow quality control and test security procedures  Field Testing Conduct pilot testing and cognitive lab interviews in support of test development Coordinate, conduct, and sign off on quality checks of field test QTI packages and ancillary materials Organize and execute independent answer key verifications Review and update field test functional rules Operational Test and Database Management Review and approve test maps, test forms, ancillary documents, test practice items, and sample items for the public Write, review, and maintain test and item design plans Write, review, and maintain the Listening Test Construct Framework document Ensure accuracy of data in test item databases Supervision Set functional team goals and expectations for Listening test development Monitor progress and performance of staff completing Listening test development tasks Mentor test development staff in their job duties and professional goals Fulfill administrative responsibilities related to hiring/retention and performance reviews Other duties as assigned.