Assessment Director
State of Vermont, Montpelier, VT, United States
The Assessment Director leads Vermont’s statewide assessment program to ensure assessments inform instruction, support accountability, drive continuous improvement, accelerate student learning, and meet federal and state requirements. This role ensures compliance with regulations, provides technical assistance to districts, analyzes data to support school improvement, and maintains secure testing practices.
The Director supervises assessment program leaders, manages the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and represents Vermont in national assessment forums. This position also leads efforts to redesign the State Report Card and refine the ESSA State Plan to ensure timely, relevant data as Vermont advances a more transparent and improvement-focused accountability system.
Responsibilities
Statewide Assessment Leadership
Oversee design, implementation, and continuous improvement of statewide assessments, including VTCAP, MSAA, WIDA ACCESS, and NAEP. Manage assessment contracts, procurement, and vendor relationships. Ensure smooth administration, scoring, reporting, and data processes, including operational oversight during testing windows.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Collect, analyze, and report student performance and accountability data. Partner with Curriculum & Instruction to align reporting with instructional improvement and student outcomes.
Supervision and Staff Leadership
Supervise assessment program leads across major testing areas. Build team capacity and foster a collaborative, high-performing environment.
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
Establish and manage the TAC to strengthen the technical quality of Vermont’s assessment system. Maintain its charter, membership, and work plan aligned with agency priorities and ESSA updates. Facilitate meetings and support public engagement to enhance transparency and rigor.
Technical Assistance and Communication
Develop and deliver training on assessment administration, data use, and interpretation. Lead development of policies and guidance. Ensure clear, accurate communication with educators, families, and stakeholders, and respond to inquiries on assessment practices.
Assessment Strategy and Innovation
Lead improvements to Vermont’s assessment and reporting systems to provide more timely, transparent, and actionable data. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to evaluate and implement innovations.
Serve as the primary contact with federal partners and national organizations, ensuring alignment with evolving assessment practices.
Who May Apply This position,
Assessment Director (Job Requisition #54593) , is open to all State employees and external applicants. If you would like more information about this position, please contact Maureen Gaidys at maureen.gaidys@vermont.gov . Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.
Normal office working conditions generally prevail. Incumbent must be able to interact, work, supervise, and coordinate with Agency staff, educators, state, federal, and local officials, and the general public. Evening and weekend work may be required. Some travel is necessary for which private means of transportation must be available.
Minimum Qualifications Master's degree in data science, statistics, psychometrics, quantitative psychology, or other related social scientific area AND three (3) or more years in assessment, psychometrics, measurement, social science research methods, and/or evaluation.
OR
Bachelor’s degree or higher in data science, statistics, psychometrics, quantitative psychology, or other related social scientific area AND five (5) or more years in assessment, psychometrics, measurement, social science research methods, and/or evaluation.
Preferred Qualifications A doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in relevant field.
Experience in operational management of teams, evaluation and or measurement systems, and strong skills in leadership.
Experience with LEAN/Continuous Improvement and/or Agile approaches to workflow management.
Total Compensation As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:
80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
Low cost group life insurance
Incentive-based Wellness Program
Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.
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The Director supervises assessment program leaders, manages the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and represents Vermont in national assessment forums. This position also leads efforts to redesign the State Report Card and refine the ESSA State Plan to ensure timely, relevant data as Vermont advances a more transparent and improvement-focused accountability system.
Responsibilities
Statewide Assessment Leadership
Oversee design, implementation, and continuous improvement of statewide assessments, including VTCAP, MSAA, WIDA ACCESS, and NAEP. Manage assessment contracts, procurement, and vendor relationships. Ensure smooth administration, scoring, reporting, and data processes, including operational oversight during testing windows.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Collect, analyze, and report student performance and accountability data. Partner with Curriculum & Instruction to align reporting with instructional improvement and student outcomes.
Supervision and Staff Leadership
Supervise assessment program leads across major testing areas. Build team capacity and foster a collaborative, high-performing environment.
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
Establish and manage the TAC to strengthen the technical quality of Vermont’s assessment system. Maintain its charter, membership, and work plan aligned with agency priorities and ESSA updates. Facilitate meetings and support public engagement to enhance transparency and rigor.
Technical Assistance and Communication
Develop and deliver training on assessment administration, data use, and interpretation. Lead development of policies and guidance. Ensure clear, accurate communication with educators, families, and stakeholders, and respond to inquiries on assessment practices.
Assessment Strategy and Innovation
Lead improvements to Vermont’s assessment and reporting systems to provide more timely, transparent, and actionable data. Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to evaluate and implement innovations.
Serve as the primary contact with federal partners and national organizations, ensuring alignment with evolving assessment practices.
Who May Apply This position,
Assessment Director (Job Requisition #54593) , is open to all State employees and external applicants. If you would like more information about this position, please contact Maureen Gaidys at maureen.gaidys@vermont.gov . Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.
Normal office working conditions generally prevail. Incumbent must be able to interact, work, supervise, and coordinate with Agency staff, educators, state, federal, and local officials, and the general public. Evening and weekend work may be required. Some travel is necessary for which private means of transportation must be available.
Minimum Qualifications Master's degree in data science, statistics, psychometrics, quantitative psychology, or other related social scientific area AND three (3) or more years in assessment, psychometrics, measurement, social science research methods, and/or evaluation.
OR
Bachelor’s degree or higher in data science, statistics, psychometrics, quantitative psychology, or other related social scientific area AND five (5) or more years in assessment, psychometrics, measurement, social science research methods, and/or evaluation.
Preferred Qualifications A doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in relevant field.
Experience in operational management of teams, evaluation and or measurement systems, and strong skills in leadership.
Experience with LEAN/Continuous Improvement and/or Agile approaches to workflow management.
Total Compensation As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:
80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
Tuition Reimbursement
Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
Low cost group life insurance
Incentive-based Wellness Program
Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State’s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.
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