Job Details

NAEP 2026 - Assessment Coordinator

Westat is currently seeking motivated individuals committed to excellence and experienced in working with primary and secondary school students to work as Assessment Coordinators for the 2026 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) study. NAEP stands as the nation's most comprehensive, ongoing measure of student knowledge and skills, providing nationally representative insights into what U.S. students know and can achieve across a range of subject areas. The primary role of the NAEP 2026 Assessment Coordinator (AC) is to coordinate assessment logistics with school representatives and oversee assessment teams to administer digitally based assessments for grades 4, 8, and 12 in public and private schools. ACs will be conducting assessments using school devices and are responsible for ensuring the smooth administration of the assessment process. This includes working with schools to install the NAEP application on school devices and troubleshooting any technical issues that may arise. Success in this role requires strong technical, organizational, and interpersonal skills to effectively manage and operate the various types of devices used in administering assessments. The ability to troubleshoot, configure, and adapt to different technologies is critical to ensuring a seamless assessment process.

Basic Qualifications

• Be 18 or older (or an emancipated minor) with the ability to enter binding confidentiality agreements to protect project information.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Successfully complete online training modules between November 2025 and December 2025.
• Be available to attend and successfully complete a 2-day preassessment training for your area's assigned window in mid-November 2025.
• Be available to attend and successfully complete a 2-day assessment training for your area's assigned window in early December 2025.
• Be available January 2026 to conduct a 1-day, virtual meeting with AAs.
• Training dates may be subject to changes.

Minimum Requirements

• Be available to work for the specified field period of October 27, 2025, to March 27, 2026.
• Be available to work up to 40 hours per week, when work is available.
• Be willing to travel regionally and on overnight assignments for project work, as needed.
• Be responsible for the transportation of technical equipment to and from schools. This includes a field staff device (tablet) and two monitoring devices (Chromebooks).
• Be able to meet the physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodations:
• Lift up to 15 lbs. of project equipment/materials in and out of a vehicle to and from the testing location.
• Climb flights of stairs while carrying project equipment/materials.
• Bend down to set up computers and tablets, plug and unplug devices to outlets, and lay gaffers' tape over floor cords for safety.
• Move around a testing location in order to monitor assessment activities and to respond to student questions.
• Stand for up to 2 hours at a time while monitoring assessments.
• Have regular and reliable access to telephone service with a long-distance calling feature, either landline or cellular.
• Have regular and reliable access to a secure, high-speed internet connection to complete training modules over several consecutive hours, including the ability to access audio files either through speakers or a headset.
• Have consistent access to a fully insured, reliable vehicle or have reliable transportation to ensure on-time arrival at the assigned schools (for certain approved metropolitan areas only).
• Have a current and valid driver's license that is not under suspension (except in certain metropolitan areas).

Preferred Criteria

• Have experience working with children or in a school environment.
• Have the ability to adapt quickly to new software systems and technologies with training.
• Have the technical ability to set up equipment and troubleshoot technical issues by following step-by-step procedures.
• Have experience using Microsoft Excel for data tracking and reporting.
• Have experience with email management and calendar scheduling.
• Have experience using video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Teams).
• Be able to demonstrate patience and professionalism in addressing issues in a school setting.
• Possess strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Have experience in coaching, mentoring, and supervising others.
• Have the capability to work independently and collaboratively in team settings, including schools with students across multiple grade levels.
• Have effective communication skills, particularly with school staff regarding technical requirements and assessment logistics.

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Mileage is reimbursed at the current government rate. This is a part-time, variable hour, non-exempt position. This position is not initially eligible for health insurance or a health savings account (HSA). To be eligible for health insurance and an HSA, you must work 1560 hours from September through September of the following year with coverage beginning January 1 of the year after eligibility is satisfied. All field positions accrue sick leave (based on hours worked) and are eligible to participate in the 401(k) program (employer matching is dependent on hours worked and disbursement is subject to program rules). This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 7 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be eligible for consideration for reassignment on other Westat field data collection projects if they become available. Working on this study can be a fascinating, rewarding experience. If you are a reliable self-starter, this position may be right for you. Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law.