The Placement Exchange Job Board

Department: AccessibleNU
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Testing Services is a new position on campus that reports to the Associate Dean of Students and Director of AccessibleNU (ANU). Testing Services operates as a functional area under AccessibleNU and reports to the Division of Student Affairs under the Dean of Students Office. Testing Services provides proctored exams and quizzes to the Evanston campus community for disabled students who have approved exam related accommodations. It is estimated that Testing Services will proctor approximately 2,500 exams and quizzes in the 2023-2024 academic year. With Testing Services working to expand the number of seats available for test proctoring, the number of tests proctored will continue to increase.

This position is responsible for and has oversight of Testing Services, including the supervision of staff, coordination of exams, database management, budgeting, scheduling of professional staff and student proctors, arranging for the alternate format of exams, Testing Services technology, and the proctoring of exams in Testing Services spaces and other locations on campus. This position also ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and strictly abides by and enforces the Northwestern University Honor Code.

Please note: Potential shared office space. Due to the nature of this work assignment, this position is required to work in the office. Work from home arrangements may be available June-August. Some evenings or weekends will be required.

Specific Responsibilities:

Administrative Functions

Accountability for day-to-day administrative functions of Testing Services:

• Create Testing Services assessments; organize data and track trends; plan for future trends of Testing Services based on data and trends
• Fiscal duties, including budget tracking, budget projections, office supply orders, and purchase card responsibility
• Preparation and submission of annual budget, usage reports, and evaluation of services
• Work with Testing Services staff to create, update, and ensure consistency of departmental policies, internal forms, and database management
• Provide exemplary customer service skills for high volume communications including answering phones, responding to emails, handling faculty and student inquiries as they arise
• Direct oversight of Testing Services databases; Work directly with NUIT personnel to ensure Testing Services computers and software are updated and fully functional for students prior to test administration
• Determine and coordinate staffing needs within budget for exam coverage and reception area, including opening and closing coverage
• Collaborate with AccessibleNU staff in problem solving to ensure testing accommodations are implemented
• Take lead in expanding testing services offerings, including space and academic department outreach and partnership building
• Work with Facilities and building staff to create evacuation plans, ensure lights, HVAC, and building access are in working order for test administration hours

Supervision Exercised and Received

• Provides direct supervision, coaching, and performance planning to 2-3 professional staff members and oversight of 9-15 student proctors
• Train, evaluate, supervise, and professionally develop staff in the performance of their duties; ensure quality and consistency of email, phone, and in-person communications, data entry, and record keeping through regular observations and database review
• Provide guidance to Testing Services staff with higher level communications, difficult situations with NU community, heightened students, and other unusual occurrences
• Manages the hiring process, timesheets, and payroll issues for Testing Services
• This position serves as a leader within the unit, reports directly to the Associate Dean, and has independent decision-making abilities. Supervision will be given in cases of difficult-to- determine situations and those that are escalated for a variety of reasons.

Direct Service
Accountability for day-to-day direct service functions of Testing Services and direct implementation (as needed):

• Responsible for high volume communications with faculty regarding all testing issues including pick-up, delivery, formatting, materials that go with test, specific instructions for test administration, testing procedures, and general testing coordination 
• Prepare and organize tests for individual students, including the delivery and pick-up of tests across campus as needed; verify identity via photo ID of pick-up
• Create and implement training, presentations, policy and procedure updates, test administration issues, and system concerns
• Maintain exam database; quality assurance of database entry and usage; schedule exams in database, coordinate space on campus to administer exams, schedule proctors for exams, and record and maintain all student exam interactions in database
• Check students in for tests, including verifying student identity via photo ID, providing a place for students to place belongings during the exam; seating students, and ensuring students have the appropriate exam and exam materials

Special Projects

• Leads departmental meetings, functional area meetings, departmental trainings, functional area trainings, University trainings, strategic planning and goal implementation, and leads and contributes to office functions
• Serve on committees geared towards providing resources to faculty, staff, and students
• Attend local conferences, workshops, seminars, training sessions, and/or professional organizational meetings. Stay abreast of current research on students with disabilities, testing administration, standard operating practices at peer institutions; serve as a resource of knowledge for the office and University.
• Performs back-up functions such as ANU front desk duties
• Provide in-person representation at Dean of Students and divisional functions, including team building events, commencement, Dillo Day, knocks and talks, etc.
• Complete additional projects as assigned by supervisor

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Master’s Degree in higher education administration, business management, operations management, or related degree
• 2 years of demonstrated job duty experience in a higher education, operations management, or testing services setting
• Supervisory experience with professional staff in complex organizations
• Excellent attendance and punctuality in previous positions

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Work effectively in a high-volume and repetitious environment 
• Detail-oriented
• Work independently and in a team setting
• Solve problems individually and quickly 
• Communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours
• Advanced communication (writing, speaking), conflict management, and negotiation skills
• Advanced computer skills, including working with databases, spreadsheets, scheduling software, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project management education and/or experience
• Previous professional experience working with adult students with disabilities 
• Previous professional experience working in a high-capacity testing environment
• 3 years of supervision experience

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Knowledge of disability laws and regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
• Assistive technology for people with disabilities

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

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