Assessment Developer

Job Description

The assessment developer (AD) is responsible for the development and maintenance of Western Governors University’s (WGU) objective and performance-based assessments. An AD facilitates design and development workshops using industry best practices to ensure assessment validity and reliability. The individual combines strategic and creative thinking with efficient, time-sensitive execution to drive the creation of assessments and mitigate risks.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Manages the design and development process for both objective and performance assessments, including milestones and timelines, and tracks progress.
• Communicates project status updates to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Works with cross-functional teams to ensure projects have appropriate resources and realistic timelines and to solve any content-related issues regarding the assessments.
• Organizes and facilitates workshops for internal assessment development and review.
• Oversees subject matter expert involvement in the design, development, and review processes, as well as in the validation of an assessment’s congruency and accuracy.
• Maintains assessment design and development standards to ensure assessment integrity.
• Identifies and mitigates risks that may impact the quality or on-time delivery of assessments.
• Collaborates with the assessment team to define and execute assessment policies, processes, and best practices.
• Ensures alignment and consistency of assessments to WGU’s business objectives.
• Develops and implements item- and exam-level scoring guidelines and validates the successful implementation of these guidelines.
• Oversees assessment QA processes, identifying and resolving issues and trends, as required.
• Maintains knowledge of exam performance and makes necessary quality improvement adjustments throughout the exam lifecycle.
• Participates in cross-functional team to implement exam security measures.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities

• Ability to facilitate groups and meetings in person and remotely.
• Excellent written, oral, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills, time management skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects effectively.
• Ability to manage schedules and commitments.
• Problem Solving Skills: Investigates appropriate resources and involves partners when appropriate; future-oriented; assesses what will help/hinder achieving goals; focuses on what is important.
• Interpersonal Skills: Deals with others in a considerate, respectful, and unbiased manner; approaches conflict proactively; solicits and shares feedback openly; listens with empathy and maintains composure.
• Accuracy: Draws on factual information garnered from careful cultivation of a broad knowledge of WGU’s goals and processes; investigates beyond assumptions.
• Adaptability: Course corrects behaviors and communication style to meet the needs of a wide range of situations; tackles obstacles appropriately; is comfortable with ambiguity.
• Reliability: Accountable to others; does what it takes to get the job done; actions are consistent with words; follows through on commitments; exhibits exceptional integrity.
• Attitude: Displays commitment to the organization and to personal growth; self-motivated and able to motivate and inspire others; asserts self appropriately to champion ideas; tells the truth in a direct and constructive manner.
• Initiative: Self-directs with a strong bias for action; leads the way in improvement of performance or processes; displays keen interest in students and organization.

Job Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors degree and all applicable licenses or certifications. 3+ years of relevant professional experience. This role will serve as a demonstrated subject matter expert in job-relevant content or practice area.
• Preferred Qualifications: Project management experience (PMP certification preferred). Experience with both objective and performance assessment. Experience in online assessment and education. Experience managing vendor and external resources relationships. Strong experience with distance education and distance learning students. Terminal degree and all applicable licenses or certifications.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.

Additional Information

• Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.
• Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.
• Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.