WHO WE ARE:
New Meridian is a non-profit, assessment design and development organization. We provide states with technical expertise and the highest quality, research-validated test content that is uniquely focused on critical thinking, reasoning, and communication skills — the capabilities all students will need to thrive in the future.
Our mission is to advance the quality of public education for all students
by designing assessments that focus on the skills that matter.
Founded with the goal of enabling all states to be able to afford high quality assessments, New Meridian has created new assessment models and products to achieve that goal and continues to innovate to enable states to develop 21st century assessment systems that provide timely and actionable data that can drive improvements in the instructional core.
Our team is marked by our willingness to go the extra mile for our customers, our operational excellence, our deep expertise in assessments, and our enjoyment of and ability to solve complex problems.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
SUMMARY: Candidates interested in this position will have a strong working knowledge of and interest in K-12 education, a collaborative working style, and expertise in psychometrics, data analysis and programming, data file management and cleaning, and applied research methods.
Successful New Meridian employees possess the following traits:
- An ability to get things done: You are results-driven, resourceful, action oriented, and persistent. You consistently look ahead and anticipate needs before they arise.
- Analytical: You have strong analytical skills and are comfortable reviewing quantitative data to inform your understanding of the market and customer needs and issues.
- Creative mindset: You can quickly adapt and develop creative solutions to challenges. You deeply understand product management principles and can apply them to synthesize information and recommend a plan of action.
- Emotional intelligence: You are highly self-aware and perceptive to the dynamics of key relationships. You are positive, empathetic, flexible, and curious. You naturally gain the respect of your colleagues through your authenticity, warmth, and competence.
- Trustworthy: You are highly ethical, principled, and mission-driven. You operate with integrity and garner the trust of others. You exemplify the values of the organization.
EXPECTED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
PSYCHOMETRICS & ASSESSEMENT DESIGN
- Assumes primary responsibility for reviewing and updating specification documents for all psychometric phases of the asset development cycle.
- Assumes primary responsibility in designing psychometric, statistical, and data analysis plans in support of operational activities including replication studies, item calibrations, equating and scaling, item and test analyses, DIF, and test construction
- Generates technical documentation and white papers suitable as contract deliverables.
- Serve as lead psychometric consultant to the business development team in support of new assessment solution designs
- Demonstrates leadership in applying and developing psychometric and statistical solutions to non-standard assessment challenges.
- Adheres to the principles of the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing.
RESEARCH
- Design and contribute to the New Meridian research agenda that aligns to organizational goals.
- Design and/or manager complex research projects to support New Meridian’s assessments or contracted assessment programs.
- Conduct or oversee empirical analyses in support of research projects.
- Established publication record resulting in technical memos, technical reports, book chapters, and/or journal articles as primary or secondary author.
- Established record of presenting research at professional organizations.
PROGRAMMING & STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
- Coordinate and support junior staff in performing in-depth quality checks on data sets and analysis code for psychometric and/or research analyses.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION
- Works collaboratively with internal team and partners and follows established protocols to fulfill tasks accurately and on time.
- Skilled in building and documenting internal psychometric procedures, document organization, naming conventions, etc.
- Strong oral and written communication skills to both internal and external clients.
- Provide psychometric training to internal staff and external clients as needed to ensure they understand the deliverables.
- Ability to identify project-related issues and risks and create mitigation plans.
- Design and contribute to the New Meridian research agenda that aligns to organizational goals.
- Design and/or manager complex research projects to support New Meridian’s assessments or contracted assessment programs.
- Conduct or oversee empirical analyses in support of research projects.
- Established publication record resulting in technical memos, technical reports, book chapters, and/or journal articles as primary or secondary author.
- Established record of presenting research at professional organizations.
REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Ph.D. in Educational Measurement, Psychometrics, Research Methodology, or a related field
- At least five years of operational experience developing and implementing practical solutions to applied educational assessment problems and working as a Research Scientist/Psychometrician on large-scale assessment programs
- Experience with computer software packages commonly used in psychometric work and research (e.g., FlexMIRT, SAS, R, WINSTEPS, IRTPRO, MPLUS, MS Excel).
- Demonstrated record of advancing the field of educational measurement, psychometrics, and/or research methodology through presentations at professional conferences and publications in professional journals or equivalent.
- Preferred location for this position is Austin, Texas. Telecommuting may be considered for candidates with proven experience working remotely.
- Travel to meetings and conferences as needed (less than 25%).
New Meridian Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals of all backgrounds and identities to apply. We are excited to receive applications from persons in occupations.