Test Development Research Assistant (English reading)

(HPTO)

Two years fixed term contract (with the potential to be made permanent)

Established within the Department for Education, the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) is responsible for the delivery of tests and assessments.

Within STA, the Test Development Division develops and produces tests to meet the purposes set out by the Department for Education and statutory legislation, including the national curriculum tests. STA sets and maintains standards of the tests that they develop in a rigorous and transparent way. The Division is made up of three units: test development research; psychometrics and assessment and support and delivery.

A career within STA offers the opportunity to work in a high-profile operational delivery area of education, which is of great interest to the education sector and general public alike. STA is seeking skilled, passionate and professional people who can respond to the challenges of working in a busy central government department.

The successful applicant for this post will have experience in teaching literacy / reading in a school context and knowledge of the national curriculum at key stages 1 and 2. Some experience of the theories and techniques of assessment gained through classroom practice, marking tests or test development will be considered favourably.

As a Test Development Research Assistant, you will be responsible for supporting the development and delivery of English reading test instruments. You will be working within a larger team, which includes test developers, psychometricians, project managers and other support staff. You will report to the Senior Test Development Researcher responsible for the English reading tests. Staff in the reading test development team are all based in London.

To find out more about these roles and how to apply please visit the Civil Service Jobs Online http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs/index.aspx and use exercise reference number 1463091.

The successful person may work in either Coventry or London and London rates of pay would apply if working in London. Regular travel between the two sites may be required as well as travel to external suppliers’ offices. We would be interested in applications from people considering a job share arrangement.

Closing date: 19th August 2015

Standards and Testing Agency
An executive agency of the Department for Education