Principal Consultant - Psychometrics

Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE895823

This is a permanent full-time position commencing July 2024

As the Principal Consultant - Psychometrics, you will undertake measurement analysis of moderation instruments for a range of reporting requirements, including national reports, internal system-level reports, school reports and reporting to parents.

You will undertake equating analysis and assist in all aspects of the evaluation of ATAR course examinations and delivery of moderation instruments as required by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority). You will provide advice on issues in relation to reporting of student performance to ensure that the information instrumental to monitoring this performance is accurately produced at the highest standard. You will also support the Manager Psychometrics and officers of the Authority in the development and review of assessments and analysing results, and provide quality advice on psychometric issues and provide customised data sets based on student performance data.

The Role and our Branch

The Examinations, Certification and Testing (ECT) Directorate is responsible for:

• implementing the logistics for the delivery of Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) course examinations
• implementing the logistics for the delivery of Externally Set Tasks (EST)
• developing and maintaining strategies to acknowledge student performance including the development of online exam structures
• designing, implementing and evaluating educational measurement activities in Years 11 and 12, including the moderation of external assessment activities
• implementing the logistics for the delivery of National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) across Western Australia
• designing, developing and analysing tests, and implementing the logistics for the delivery of the literacy and numeracy assessments of the Online Literacy Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) ensuring that data is of the highest integrity and that it is collected, assured, analysed and reported within all required timelines
• ensuring that there is a strong interface between schools and the Authority for the purpose of data transferal
• managing all reporting requirements for the Authority and assuring the efficacy of any data reported to stakeholders.

We encourage all applicants with diverse professional experiences to apply.

Cultural Diversity

The Department is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and persons from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply.

Your written application will be assessed against the following Selection Criteria:

1. Demonstrated high-level understanding of psychometrics in construction and validation of assessments and in ethics policy development and implementation, including data security management.
2. Experience in statistical analyses using RUMM2030 software and excellent working knowledge in advanced MS Excel (including writing macros) and other databases (preferably SQL) to extract and analyse data from the Authority’s database.
3. Demonstrated high level understanding of contemporary issues related to the assessment, measurement and reporting of student performance.

Shortlisted applicants will have their skills and experiences in relation to the remaining selection criteria assessed in the further stages of the recruitment process. Remaining selection criteria can be found on the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For a full outline of the role responsibilities and selection criteria, please refer to the JDF.

It is recommended that you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information before applying for the vacancy.

All inquiries are welcomed

Please contact Gabby Raggio, Director, Logistics, Testing and Planning by telephoning (08) 9273 67***or emailing ************@scsa.wa.edu.au  

Application Instructions

All applications are submitted online. Select “Apply for Job”, at either the top or bottom of this screen and follow all instructions. It is recommended you have relevant documents completed and ready to attach with your online application. Please allow enough time to complete this process as applications must be received prior to the closing date and time.

Your application should include:

• A three (3) page statement addressing the selection criteria listed above, in context of the role and business needs of the branch
• A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
• The contact details for two (2) work related referees who can attest to the claims made in your written application, preferably one being your current line manager.

After you have submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming lodgement. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please phone (08) 9264 4***.

If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please phone (08) 9264 86***for assistance.

Eligibility and Training Requirements

Employees will be required to:

• hold a relevant tertiary qualification preferably in the Mathematics
• provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia for the term of the vacancy;
• complete the Department’s induction program within three months of commencement
• complete the Department’s training in Accountable and Ethical Decision-Making within six months of appointment and every three years thereafter.
• complete the Department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness online course within 3 months of commencement; and
• complete any training specific to this role required by Departmental policy
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit prior to commencement of employment
• obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check if required

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications must be submitted before 4.30pm (WST) on Monday, 3 June 2024.

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions at, or after, 4:30pm will not be accepted.   

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE

PROFORMA, FAXED, HAND DELIVERED, POSTED, EMAILED AND LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED

This selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy. Applicants assessed as suitable during this selection process may be considered for other similar vacancies that occur throughout our division for up to 12 months following this initial appointment. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.