K-12 Assessment Program Lead, Science

Job Purpose

The K-12 Assessment Program Lead, Science leads the development, alignment, and quality assurance of high-quality K–12 science assessment content—specifically benchmark assessments. This role requires deep subject-matter expertise, strong knowledge of state-specific standards and assessment programs, and the ability to manage complex development workflows across staff and contractor teams, which in turn deliver high-quality benchmark assessments against a firm schedule based on K-12 high-stakes testing windows. The Assessment Program Lead plays a critical role in ensuring that benchmark assessments accurately reflect state requirements and support educators' instructional decision-making.

This is a hybrid role that combines hands-on assessment development with program leadership, requiring both individual contribution and accountability for outcomes across a team. This position reports to the Assessment Content Director.

Key Responsibilities

Content Leadership & State Alignment

• Maintain deep expertise in K–12 science content, instructional approaches, and state-specific academic standards and assessments


• Interpret state blueprints, test specifications, and guidance documents to ensure assessments accurately reflect state requirements


• Monitor and incorporate updates to state standards, testing programs, and related initiatives


• Identify and prioritize content gaps and collaborate with leadership to develop content roadmaps and enhancement plans

Assessment Development & Review

• Develop, align, and review assessment items and assessments (hands-on development approximately 20–40% of time, depending on development cycle needs)


• Oversee and enforce multi-layered quality review processes to maintain high standards across all deliverables


• Ensure assessment content is pedagogically sound, standards-aligned, and instructionally relevant


• Conduct senior-level reviews of items and assessments developed by team members to ensure content accuracy, alignment, and instructional quality

Project & Team Management

• Plan, assign, and manage the work of staff and contractor subject-matter experts across item writing, alignment, assessment development, and review activities


• Manage development schedules and timelines to ensure on-time delivery of assessments and content updates against a firm schedule based on K-12 high-stakes testing windows


• Develop and deliver subject- and state-specific training and guidance for staff and contractors


• Serve as the science content lead on cross-functional initiatives supporting assessment product development (e.g., input to the assessment software development team)

Process Improvement & Documentation

• Evaluate and refine content development and review processes to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability


• Develop and maintain clear documentation, guidelines, and best practices for assessment development


• Leverage collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Trello, proprietary software) to support workflows (e.g., item development and alignment, assessment development and reviews) and documentation

Customer & Stakeholder Support

• Coordinate responses to specific customer inquiries related to content, alignment, and assessment design


• Support issue resolution by partnering with Customer Success, Services, Product, and Data teams as needed

Required Skills & Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or Science Education; a Master’s degree is preferred


• Significant professional experience in K–12 science assessment design and development, with either an assessment vendor or a public school district curriculum department, is required; experience solely in postsecondary, corporate, or other non–K–12 assessment settings will not be considered


• Experience teaching science in a public K–12 school setting; high school science preferred


• Deep science content knowledge and understanding of K–12 learning standards at all grade levels; high school-level knowledge is necessary


• Deep knowledge of NGSS learning standards and instruction, and a proven ability to design and develop NGSS-aligned assessment content are necessary


• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage staff and contractor teams


• Strong customer focus, with the ability to incorporate educator and district needs into decisions and deliverables


• Strong ability to quantify, manage, and report on budget, labor costs, and resource utilization


• Collaborative mindset with experience working cross-functionally


• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and annual cycles of firm testing deadlines simultaneously, with flexibility to adapt to interruptions and shifting priorities to meet the needs of the business


• Ability to adapt and embrace change, and support new strategies that drive program growth and improvement


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills


• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail


• Significant experience with K–12 assessment delivery platforms and content management systems


• Significant experience with Google Workspace and Kanban-style productivity tools (e.g., Trello)