Associate Psychometrician

This position works remotely, requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 1/22/2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 (states and territories). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.

Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed, regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.

UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demand of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit, and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.

More information can be found at https://smarterbalanced.org

JOB SUMMARY

The Associate Psychometrician role within Smarter Balanced involves conducting psychometric analysis, producing technical reports, preparing materials for, and facilitating data review meetings. The Associate Psychometrician is expected to work independently while collaborating with other staff across various offices within Smarter Balanced. Essential to this role is thorough and accurate documentation of business and functional requirements. In general, the Associate Psychometrician employs capabilities as a highly-skilled, experienced research professional with a full understanding of in-depth statistical analyses and/or research software programming techniques. This individual will have the opportunity to contribute to Smarter Balanced's assessment strategy in conducting analyses to support fair, accurate, and equitable assessment experiences for all learners.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $99,040 - $106,400/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 006257 (RSCH DATA ANL 3) - Grade 23

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

75% - Operational Support

• Assists with cyclical psychometric analysis and updates technical reports.
• Prepares reports of studies for internal validation and cross-validation studies.
• Develops systems for organizing data to analyze, validate results, identify, and report trends.
• Applies sufficient knowledge of statistical procedures, psychometric methods, and programming (e.g., R, Python, PARSCALE, IRTPRO, and flexMIRT) to work independently on most aspects of analysis work, while receiving instruction and guidance in other aspects.
• Conduct validation of the Consortium-wide embedded field testing calibration.
• Provides psychometric support to other functional groups as needed (e.g., provides psychometric review and feedback to the content team during test construction).

15% - Production Planning

• Under the guidance of more senior staff, conduct analyses and research in response to member requests.
• Delivers presentations at national conferences and, with guidance from senior staff, presents technical information to diverse audiences, including member groups and technical advisory committees.
• Plans long-term statistical studies, including the preparation of proposals, design of survey instruments, and determining sampling procedures.
• Manages database of research data for projects.
• Prepares data for presentation.

5% - Process Improvement

• Reviews new software instruments and potential effects on statistical testing. May make programming modifications.
• Participates in the development and implementation of data security policies and procedures.
• Keeps abreast of technical advances in educational measurement, including artificial intelligence-related advances.
• Participates in documentation and revision of current documentation related to psychometric operational activities and projects.

5% - Team Building/Support

• May supervise database management and research analysis of research data analysts on assigned projects.
• Implements related business processes.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in educational measurement, psychometrics, quantitative psychology, data science, statistics, or a closely related subject.
• 0 - 3 years of operational psychometric experience.
• Experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote collaboration among staff.
• Thorough knowledge of the research function.
• Familiarity with applied psychometric techniques, including classical test theory, item response theory, test equating, scaling, linking, and standard setting.
• Familiarity with software packages and programming languages commonly used in psychometric work (e.g., R, Python, SQL, flexMIRT).
• Thorough skills associated with data analysis and validation, and systems programming.
• Thorough skills in analysis and consultation.
• Strong oral communication skills to effectively interact with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong writing skills to document and communicate complex information.
• Skills in project management.
• Demonstrated research skills that enable the development of solutions and/or proposals to leadership, along with projected improvements/savings/benefits.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with modern assessment designs and practices such as computer adaptive testing and related parameter estimation methods, including but not limited to item response theory (IRT), adaptive item selection algorithms, calibration and scaling procedures, Bayesian and maximum-likelihood estimation methods, and the evaluation of test and item performance.
• Familiarity with K-12 education.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.