Test Developer, ARCA

Department

HUM Staff: CLC - Office of Language Assessment

About the Department

The Chicago Language Center (CLC) is a vibrant hub for innovative language pedagogy, providing professional development and support to language instructors and students at all levels of the over 50 languages taught each year at the University of Chicago. The Office of Language Assessment (OLA) is an integral component of all these undertakings and plays a critical role across all languages taught on the UChicago campus, as well as providing English language assessment services.

Job Information

Job Summary:

The Office of Language Assessment (OLA) in the Division of Arts and Humanities at the University of Chicago has test developer opportunities for the Academic Reading Comprehension Assessment (ARCA™). The ARCA is an innovative test of reading comprehension skills for graduate students working with scholarly texts. Test developers develop, review and grade tests used to assess test-takers’ academic reading comprehension proficiency in multiple foreign languages. Test developers work remotely and are trained in all aspects of ARCA development and grading.

Current needs include the languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew (modern), Italian, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Persian.

This position is part-time, benefits in-eligible, seasonal, remote, and based on demand. Hours will never reach or exceed 20/week.

Candidates, please upload all required documents (resume, cover letter, and references) to be considered.

Responsibilities:

• Close coordination with the OLA in ARCA test development and grading.
• Attend test development and rater training sessions and demonstrate evidence of accurate and consistent grading.
• Coordinate with other testers and OLA staff in reviewing ARCAs during the development stage.
• Report ARCA results to the OLA in a timely fashion.
• Participate in regular norming (compensated) sessions and other professional development workshops.

Competencies:

• ACTFL Advanced High or Superior language proficiency (or the equivalent), or native speaker proficiency in the language of the test.
• Excellent communications skills, especially writing skills.
• Use one’s own personal computer to develop and review tests.
• Possess work authorization for employment in the United States without sponsorship.
• Demonstrated experience working with secondary literature in research or other scholarly contexts.
• Meet deadlines.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, or Certifications

Education:

• Bachelors degree required.
• PhD in pertinent fields are preferred.

Experience:

• Background working in higher education.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs and multimedia.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Work takes place in home environment.
• Some evening and weekend work.
• Sit at a computer for 2-4 hours.

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter including your interest in this position
• Three References Contact Information

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Temporary Staff

Scheduled Weekly Hours

20

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Pay Frequency

Hourly

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$20.00 - $40.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

This position is not eligible for benefits.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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