Executive Director, Office of Language Assessment
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Location: Chicago, IL
Time Type: Full time
Posted On: Posted 4 Days Ago
Time Left to Apply: End Date: March 18, 2025 (30+ days left to apply)
Job Requisition ID: JR27653
Department
HUM Staff: CLC Chicago Language Center
About the Department
The Chicago Language Center (CLC) is a hub for professional development for language instructors across all departments and programs at the University. It currently leads two grants, Mellon Foundation Transforming Language Instruction, and the UChicago-funded Language Pedagogy Innovation Initiative. The Office of Language Assessment (OLA) administers language testing for the entire University, including placement tests, English language tests for non-native speakers, and graduate reading exams, among others.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of the University of Chicago Language Center (CLC), the Executive Director of the Office of Language Assessment (OLA) works to establish and maintain the OLA and the University as innovative leaders in language assessment.
Responsibilities
- Produces and uses in-depth knowledge of current research to inform test design and development.
- Provides leadership within the OLA and across campus on all aspects of language assessment.
- Consults with departments about language testing needs and implementation.
- Oversees the development and updating of foreign language and ESL tests.
- Facilitates ESL testing across all divisions and units of the University.
- Ensures and maintains the validity and reliability of tests administered in the OLA.
- Designs and implements evaluative instruments to determine the validity of different tests.
- Investigates and implements multiple platforms for offering tests online.
- Serves as consultant to University offices to inform policy decisions.
- Plans strategically for all OLA hires.
- Oversees training of all OLA staff.
- Directs the seasonal hiring and training of internal testers, proctors, and graders.
- Organizes regular calibration/norming sessions for accurate scoring and rating.
- Leads and collaborates on research and publication initiatives.
- Designs and holds workshops related to assessment practices.
- Serves as adviser to instructors and graduate students for research projects.
- Stays up to date on research methods and theories related to language assessment.
- Presents at professional meetings or publishes in professional journals.
- Active in national and international assessment professional organizations.
- Articulates a vision for the OLA as a hub for language testing.
- Ensures the stability and growth of the OLA by focusing on strategic objectives.
- Collaborates with the Director of the CLC to establish new programs.
- Disseminates research and test products through scholarly publications.
- Manages multiple OLA budgets and oversees outreach on campus.
- Writes an annual report on the OLA for the CLC annual report.
- Manages academic and para-curricular programs.
- Executes foundation relations and fundraising strategy.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.
Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in language assessment or a related field.
- 5+ years experience in language teaching and testing at the post-secondary level.
- Background using multimedia for teaching and/or testing.
- Managing a variety of budgets such as payroll and operating budgets.
Application Documents
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page.
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