This position is with the Language Testing and Assessment Division (LTA), School of Language Studies (SLS), Foreign Service Institute (FSI). The incumbent provides authoritative consultative services relating to language proficiency testing and assessments, validity, reliability, and fairness of test score interpretations. Incumbent coordinates & conducts testing training and/or test design and quality assurance (QA) activities, including with respect to DEIA principles.

Duties

Coordinates and conducts language testing and assessment programs and activities, including advising testing staff. Guides language testing operations, training, quality assurance, and/or test development initiatives, including with respect to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) principles. Coordinates design, development and review of language testing program content, training course design, materials development, test data analysis and reports, and/or logistical arrangements. Organizes language testing program evaluation and performance measurement activities that support strategic School of Language Studies (SLS) and Foreign Service Institute (FSI) program requirements for language testing. Maintains contacts with professional organizations engaged in language testing theory and the design, delivery, and evaluation of language testing programs.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements described below by the closing date of this announcement. If you are qualifying based on education OR if there are mandatory education requirements listed below, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcript with your application.  To qualify for this position, applicants MUST meet the required basic entry qualification requirements described below: Basic Requirements: Degree: that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. The course work must have included study in at least four (4) of the following five (5) areas: Learning theory, psychology of learning, educational psychology: Study of learning theories as they relate to the systematic design, development, and validation of instructional material. Instructional design practices: Study of the principles and techniques used in designing training programs, developing design strategy and models, and applying design methods to the improvement of instructional effectiveness. Educational evaluation: Study of the techniques for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional/educational programs, including developing written and performance tests and survey instruments, and determining reliability and validity of evaluation instruments. Instructional product development: Study of the techniques appropriate for developing training materials, including identifying learner characteristics, specifying objectives, applying training strategy, validating training materials, and evaluating training. Computers in education and training: Study of the application of computers in education and training, including selecting appropriate computer software. Note: Some positions in this series may specialize in one or two functional areas, where more specific academic preparation may be necessary. For such positions, it may require course work in the applicable functional area(s) as part of the above-required 24 semester hours. For positions that require this additional academic preparation, it will be noted in the Qualifications section of the vacancy announcement. Note: All applicants are REQUIRED to submit transcripts of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. You MUST (1) submit a copy of your college transcript(s) with your application, and if selected, an official college transcript(s) will be required to verify education prior to employment; (2) transcripts MUST be legible AND include your name, major, school name/location, course title/number, date completed, grade, and number of credits earned; (3) if you attended more than one college you MUST submit a transcript from each institution if you wish your education to be considered in qualifying you for this position; (4) all college coursework that may be pertinent to qualifying you for the position MUST be included on the transcripts. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position. IN ADDITION to meeting the ONE of basic entry qualifications requirements listed above, the applicant MUST have at least one year of specialized experience that has equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.  This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Qualifying specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Experience in advising and/or facilitating the work of a diverse team of direct-hire and/or contract subject matter experts specialized in language testing. Experience in organizing and/or guiding activities in language testing programs, including testing operations, testing training, and/or quality assurance. Experience in developing and/or evaluating language testing programs, including investigating test score validity, reliability, and fairness with respect to DEIA principles. Note: All applicants ARE required to submit transcripts as verification of educational requirement by the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to provide requested information, or the information you submit is insufficient to verify your eligibility, you WILL lose consideration for this position. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-13 position.

Education

See the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement for education requirements.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials, visit: www.naces.org/members.php.

Contacts

• Address U.S. Department of State 4000 Arlington Blvd. Attn: FSI/EX/HRD Arlington, Virginia 22204 United States
• Name: Analiza Rush
• Phone: 771-205-5212
• Email: [email protected]