Job No: 538672
Work Type: Full-time
Location: PHOENIX
Categories: Education/Training
Arizona Department of Education The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.
DIRECTOR OF ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT
Job Location:
Assessment and NAEP Section
Phoenix Location
Posting Details:
Salary: $78,000 - $82,500
Grade: 22
Closing Date: 06/16/2026
Job Summary:
This position will assist in the establishment and implementation of a variety of committees that will help determine the technical adequacy of two Alternate Assessments. Item writing, standard setting, bias and content reviews and alignment will be addressed. It will have substantive input into the disposition of all confidential information pertaining to the alternate assessment(s). This input might pertain to appeals received from public education agencies (PEAs). There may also be procurement matters that the position will address. This position's responsibilities include assisting in developing, coordinating, and facilitating standard setting, alignment studies and other research-based activities that are valid and reliable for both of Arizona's Alternate Assessments based on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS).
Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel is required for this position.
Job Duties:
Serve as a contact person regarding state mandated Alternate Assessments, develop and prepare manuals, reports, and procedures for Alternate Assessment
Respond to calls, emails, letters from LEA test coordinators, superintendents/charter holders, educators, parents, students and the general public
Serve as the liaison between ADE support teams (IT) and vendors
Attend Exceptional Student Services staff meetings
Coordinate item development, content review, bias review, standard settings, alignment, and articulation meetings ensuring compliance with NCLB federal requirements
Provide ongoing support and assistance (technical and instructional) to the field
Develop presentation materials, give presentations, and conduct workshops on Alternate Assessment (s) test administration
Monitor the administration of the state mandated Alternate Assessment testing programs
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge in:
Arizona's Alternate Assessments based on Alternate Academic Achievement Standards (AA-AAAS), Norm Referenced Test concepts and Standards-based (Criterion) Referenced Test concepts
Knowledge and ability to understand the implementation of a systemic model of standards, assessment, and instruction
Standards based practice and data driven instruction
Program planning; leadership principles; learning theory; curriculum, instruction, assessment principles; professional development, and the Arizona Academic Content Standards
State and federal laws and implementing regulations in special education and assessment
The role of other state and private agencies in the provision of services to children with disabilities
Effective instructional strategies and curriculum for regular and special education
A Bachelor's degree in Education or related field or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree is required
Applicants must have experience in curriculum and assessment at the school and district level and experience in special education
Applicants must be certified in Special Education
Skills in:
Organizational management
Multi-tasking
Team building
Problem solving
Program planning, development, and execution
Communication, both verbal and written
Editing
Time management
Intermediate skill in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to:
Provide high quality customer services to various stakeholders
Assemble and oversee large groups of participants on assessment development projects
Communicate information, directions, and instructions regarding complex projects to all levels of personnel and the general public, using both written and verbal forms of communication, in a clear and precise manner for the target audience
Coordinate a variety of individuals from diverse professional backgrounds
Manage the development of instructional manuals, reports, and procedural documentation
Effectively collaborate with other staff members
Manage individuals, groups, and multiple projects
Apply learning theory and psychological principles when developing assessments
Implement the development of assessment in terms of grade level articulation, spiraling, content appropriateness, developmental appropriateness, and measurability of statements
Ability and skill to communicate standards and assessment issues to lay persons, teachers, and administrators in a simple, clear, and easy to understand format
Assist in the development and implementation of comprehensive plans for the state alternate testing program
Selective Preference(s):
Preference will be given to those applicants with:
An advanced degree and prior work experience with students with significant cognitive disabilities
Independent readings of federal and state laws and Arizona Administrative Code
Awareness of organizational structure through work experience within a school/local education agency by teaching or administration
Supervisory experience
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.
If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements. (https://publicstorage.dc4.pageuppeople.com/1045/ClientPublicFile/3601803f-02e5-4b70-b325-26c8ef309c1b.pdf)
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
Benefits:
The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
Ten paid holidays per year
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here (https://hr.az.gov/about/resources/family-leave-expansion) . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page (https://benefitoptions.az.gov/jobseekers)
Retirement :
You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.
Contact Us:
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
