Summary

　　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

　　Conditions of Employment 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.

　　Additional information For reasonable accommodation at the U.S. Department of State, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations at (202) 663-3474 or [email protected]. If eligible, telework agreements may be permitted with supervisory approval. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. If eligible, applicants to this announcement may be referred to other similar positions in other Bureaus/Offices in the Department for up to 240 days. Telework eligibility and security clearance requirements may vary for such similar positions. Benefits

　　A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.

　　Review our benefits

　　Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered. How You Will Be Evaluated

　　You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

　　Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume will be conducted and compared against your responses to the assessment questions to determine if you are qualified for this job. Note: Responses to questions that are not fully supported by the information in your resume may result in adjustments to your rating.

　　Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements, as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement, will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate a basic level of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position. Well Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in some but not all of the required competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) for the position. Highly Qualified - In addition to meeting minimum qualifications, applicants must fully demonstrate proficiency in all of the required competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) for the position. Highly Qualified applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies: Knowledge of principles of language testing and assessment. Skill in leading linguistically and culturally diverse teams. Ability to analyze and interpret language testing program data quantitatively and qualitatively. Ability to apply knowledge and skill in course design, program development, and adult learning theory and practice to language testing contexts. Knowledge of educational technology and its use in language testing. Skill in communicating orally and in writing. Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the Highly Qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. This position is considered scientific/professional. Other 10-point preference eligible and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligible applicants within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference on OPM's Fed Hire Vets website.

　　Agency and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP and ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never been a Federal employee, you are not CTAP or ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must be rated in the Well-Qualified category for this position and submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement to receive consideration for selection priority.

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