National Assessment Governing Board:
Assistant Director for Reporting and Analysis (Job #AD-0301-00)
This job closes on September 12, 2014
INTRODUCTION
In 1988, Congress created the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) to set policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)[1]. In creating an independent Governing Board, Congress provided for a broadly representative, twenty-six member body comprised of state and local officials, educators, business representatives, and members of the general public. The Board's responsibilities include: selecting subject areas to be assessed, developing assessment frameworks and specifications, developing appropriate student achievement levels for each grade and subject tested, developing standards and procedures for interstate and national comparisons, developing guidelines for reporting and disseminating results, and releasing initial NAEP results to the public. The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB or Board) is established under section 302 of the NAEP Authorization Act.
The Assistant Director for Reporting and Analysis serves as the Board's principal advisor on reporting and analysis. The incumbent is primarily responsible for providing program support in the areas of NAEP reporting and analysis of NAEP data as it relates to the congressional responsibilities of the Governing Board. The incumbent plans and coordinates work with other technical staff, and works closely with the Governing Board's Public Affairs Specialist and staff of the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) to ensure that the reporting and analysis are effectively coordinated with NAEP. The Assistant Director of Reporting and Analysis serves at the pleasure of the Board.
This position is of a confidential, policy-determining or policy advocating character and is an excepted position from the competitive service by statute (5CFR213;Civil Service Rule VI, Sec. 6.1).
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Assistant Director for Reporting and Analysis shall:
• Provide overall direction and supervision of the Board's reporting and analysis work.
• Direct cross functional teams and supervise the work of team members to ensure that the Board's reporting, dissemination and analysis work is implemented in a timely and thorough manner.
• Supervise and provide direction for the preparation of written documents to disseminate information about the Board's policy work including white papers, press releases, focused reports, and other publications of the Board to include:
o Determining the most appropriate responses for the Board on policy initiatives.
o Developing public statements about the Board, public policy statements, press releases, as well as reviewing and approving written messages prepared by direct reports and other staff on behalf of the Board.
o Reviewing and approving responses to queries from all public audiences including reporters, editorial writers, representatives of public policy organizations, as well as general inquiries from members of the public.
o Providing information to education researchers, government officials, professional organizations and associations, members of the media, and others interested in the development and conduct and reporting of NAEP results and NAGB matters.
• Develop and maintain contact with internal and external partners, including persons and organizations interested in the development, conduct, and results of the NAEP and identify needs for additional information about NAEP via these contacts to include:
o Conducting briefings on the work of the Board and/or the results of NAEP for individuals and organizations with a need to know about the Board's work or results of NAEP.
o Organizing forums, hearings, and briefings on issues before the Board
o Keeping abreast of major developments in educational assessment, research, analysis, and reporting to inform the work of the Board and its staff
o Developing and maintaining relationships with strategic partners for communicating the work of the Board and NAEP results.
o Fostering collaboration with staff of the NCES, the Institute of Education Sciences; the Department of Education, and other federal/non-federal entities and organizations to ensure that all parties are appropriately informed on the status of NAGB projects, issues, and key decisions on NAEP matters.
• Advise and assist the NAGB leadership in developing and preparing policy recommendations and resolutions for work that falls under the responsibilities of the Board, specifically relating to policies that govern the release and dissemination of NAEP data and report; and preparing oral and written presentations such as speeches, press briefings, talking points, correspondence, and letters to Board members and members of the public as needed.
• Serve as lead staff member in support of the Board's Reporting and Analysis Committee to include:
o Developing policies on reporting and analysis of NAEP data that enables the Board to fulfill its statutory obligations;
o Coordinating with other staff and direct reports about topics needed at regular and specially called meetings
o Providing advice on the selection of background items for NAEP;
o Proposing studies that will inform the Board's work and improve the analysis, reporting, and dissemination of NAEP;
o Developing materials, agendas, summaries, and other documents as needed for Board meetings, as well as other meetings of the Board;
o Providing staff support and direction to outside panels of experts in support of the Board's mission and work;
o Informing Board members about staff, contractor, consultant ,and NCES activities.
• Determine direction for and develop Requests for Proposals pertaining to the Governing Board's reporting and dissemination matters to include:
o Managing and reviewing proposal submissions, and making recommendations on contract awards.
o Ensuring that NAGB contractors and consultants under the oversight of the incumbent perform work in accordance with NAGB policies and standards, and Department regulations;
• Provide direction for and coordinate work performed by other members of the Board staff and outside experts and organizations, as directed by the NAGB leadership.
• Perform other duties as required.
To apply all applications will be sent to the following address:
Dr. Mary Crovo
Deputy Executive Director
National Assessment Governing Board
800 North Capitol Street NW, Suite 825
Washington DC 20002
Attention: Assistant Director, Reporting and Analysis
or
Mary.Crovo@ed.gov
QUALIFICATIONS
The Assistant Director for Reporting and Analysis shall have a thorough understanding of communications and dissemination, particularly in relation to America's education system and the nature and complexity of large-scale assessments such as the NAEP. In particular, this includes reporting and analytical methods for examining results and trends in student performance, as well as expert skill in written and verbal communication. Experience working in teams and supervising others also is necessary for this position.
Factor 1: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required by the Position
• Mastery of education systems policies, practices, and audiences including U.S. public/private educational system, its structure, functions, and relevant subdivisions ;
• Extensive knowledge of and familiarity with large-scale data collection/assessment projects, and contemporary issues related to assessment, especially for the NAEP;
• Extensive knowledge of extant education organizations and target audiences for the Board's work;
• Skill in interacting effectively with specialists, experts, and decisions makers at the highest levels of Federal, State, and local government;
• Skill in applying contemporary theories and practices in the field and identifying appropriate vehicles and mechanisms for reaching contemporary audiences;
• Skill in organizing highly complex material and issues for understanding by lay persons;
• Ability to communicate proficiently orally and in writing with a wide range of target audiences;
• Skills in providing direct supervision of cross functional teams, and with review and monitoring responsibilities on a day to day basis;
• Ability to identify and develop appropriate reporting and dissemination vehicles and mechanisms for reaching a wide range of target audiences; and
• Ability to work effectively under the pressure of tight time-frames, rigid deadlines, and competing priorities.
Factor 2: Supervisory Controls
The incumbent takes direction from the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director in support of the Board. Duties are carried out without detailed supervision and with latitude allowed for independent judgment. The incumbent supervises the work of cross functional teams within and outside NAGB.
Factor 3: Guidelines
Guidelines for the work of the position include pertinent legislation on NAEP and NAGB, the Board's Memorandum of Understanding and delegations of authority from the Department of Education, and the NAGB policies and by-laws. Most of the position responsibilities which relate to studies, planning, and analysis for reporting and dissemination purposes are accomplished under very broad guidelines which leave latitude for professional judgment and creativity and, at times, necessitate the establishment of guidelines for performance of duties. Compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations is necessary for contract related duties.
Factor 4: Complexity
The incumbent must evaluate and interpret a broad range of public policy functions and processes affecting the relationship of government to education assessment. The incumbent's responsibilities are characterized by depth and intense effort and involve pursuing several phases of an activity concurrently and sequentially. The incumbent organizes and presents policy options and develops a workable range of options for the Board in perform its functions and responsibilities. The incumbent must integrate extensive knowledge of administrative and programmatic matters in addressing issues often involving Federal, State, and local interests, especially as these relate to reporting and analysis of NAEP achievement data.
Factor 5: Scope and Effect
As a recognized expert in communications, including reporting and analysis, the employee's efforts are directed to resolving critical problems and providing guidance on approaches and methods of communication that will have a significant impact on the reporting of the NAEP, which includes policies and decisions of the Board, the conduct of work performed by NCES staff and NAEP contractors, and on the education community and the general public.
Factor 6 & 7: Personal Contacts and Purpose of Contacts
Personal contacts are with key stakeholders who are generally high-ranking officials within and outside the Federal sector, as well as members of the media. The incumbent works with appropriate officials of the Department of Education and other policy making organizations as needed. The incumbent represents NAGB to national audiences in the release and dissemination of NAGB and NAEP information and matters. Personal contacts required extend beyond mere factual exchanges of information and involve complex situations and circumstances related to the overall goals and priorities of NAEP and NAGB. Most of these contacts occur in unstructured settings and utilize a variety of approaches and expert professional skills.
Factor 8: Physical Demands
The work is sedentary in nature. However, there is a need to travel periodically.
Factor 9: Work Environment
Work is performed in an office setting with telework flexibilities in accordance with Department of Education and NAGB guidelines.
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Lily Clark
Assistant Director for Policy and Research
National Assessment Governing Board
800 North Capitol St, NW, Suite 825
(202) 357-0392
