Operations Manager, Office of Language Assessment

Department
 

HUM Staff: CLC - Office of Language Assessment

About the Department
 

The Chicago Language Center (CLC) is a hub for professional development and support for language instructors and students at all levels of the over 50 languages that are taught each year at the University of Chicago. The Office of Language Assessment (OLA) has been established within the CLC and has centralized all language testing on campus, including, for example, placement and proficiency tests for foreign language learners, English tests for international students, and highly innovative tests designed to meet the needs of specific programs or requirements. This centralization ensures and maintains the quality, validity and reliability of all tests, and ensures that the administration of the tests is done professionally, fairly, and appropriately, and that tests are accessible to prospective and current students as needed. Along with the assessment expertise necessary to design, develop, and oversee the administration of these tests, there is a vast array of critical logistical and administrative duties.

Job Summary
 

The job provides specialized business support for academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Reporting to the Director of the Office of Language Assessment, the Operations Manager oversees logistical and operational support for all language testing conducted on the UChicago campus. The duties include outreach, registration, scheduling, managing results, preparing test materials, and managing the OLA accounts and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Manages test materials, including keeping track of updated test versions and solicits corrections, changes and other details, prepares test materials for distribution on test days.
• Schedules administration of all tests, including outreach and promotion of specific tests as needed, oversees and confirms registration, arranges for rooms and proctors for live tests and for proctors for online tests, proctors some tests, and provides tests to proctors as needed.
• Works effectively with test developers, graders and raters, including communication around new tests and/or updated test versions, distributes completed tests for grading and rating, collects grades and ratings, follows-up as necessary.
• Manages test results, including reporting to appropriate parties; providing test takers with grades, documentation or certifications; and keeping a database of test results for research and other purposes.
• Oversees accounts and budgets, including billing departments and programs for tests, tracking payments for test developers, raters and graders, and managing the OLA budget.
• Serves as a key point and source of communication to provide accurate, detailed messaging about all aspects of the OLA with departments, programs, deans, deans of students, testers, graders, and test takers; updating the OLA’s websites and other messaging.
• Coordinates quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• May interact with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in operations management, communication, or business administration.

Experience:

• Background working in administration and operations in a rapidly growing program.
• Familiarity working in academic contexts.
• Working knowledge with budgets and managing finances.
• Skilled at managing communications initiatives.
• Expertise working with multimedia and/or data management.
• Employment history in higher education or a similar environment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of computers and relevant software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) guidelines and OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) testing; willingness to be ACTFL trained.
• Knowledge of assessment methodologies.
• Develop demonstrations and/or manuals.
• Work with graphic design programs to edit or proofread various types of communication pieces.

Preferred Competencies

• Native speaker of English or equivalent.
• Knowledge of at least one foreign language.
• Effectively communicate with faculty, students, faculty and various administrative offices at all levels within the University.
• Edit and proofread documents in English at an advanced level.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Scrupulous attention to detail.
• Organizational skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Facility and experience with social media for multiple purposes, including digital content creation.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Take initiative; work independently and as part of a team.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Multitask and complete work on time.
• Train others.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Interdisciplinary outlook.

​

­Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Lift up to 25 lbs.
• Walk to various parts of campus.
• Work evenings or weekends as necessary.

​

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Letter of Interest in this position (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)
• Response to the question - How do you approach the management of multi-point, complex operations, often under time constraints, while still maintaining quality and attention to details? (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Applicant Inquiry Form. <span>Applicant Inquiry Form</span> The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Department
 

HUM Staff: CLC - Office of Language Assessment

About the Department
 

The Chicago Language Center (CLC) is a hub for professional development and support for language instructors and students at all levels of the over 50 languages that are taught each year at the University of Chicago. The Office of Language Assessment (OLA) has been established within the CLC and has centralized all language testing on campus, including, for example, placement and proficiency tests for foreign language learners, English tests for international students, and highly innovative tests designed to meet the needs of specific programs or requirements. This centralization ensures and maintains the quality, validity and reliability of all tests, and ensures that the administration of the tests is done professionally, fairly, and appropriately, and that tests are accessible to prospective and current students as needed. Along with the assessment expertise necessary to design, develop, and oversee the administration of these tests, there is a vast array of critical logistical and administrative duties.

Job Summary
 

The job provides specialized business support for academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.
Reporting to the Director of the Office of Language Assessment, the Operations Manager oversees logistical and operational support for all language testing conducted on the UChicago campus. The duties include outreach, registration, scheduling, managing results, preparing test materials, and managing the OLA accounts and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Manages test materials, including keeping track of updated test versions and solicits corrections, changes and other details, prepares test materials for distribution on test days.
• Schedules administration of all tests, including outreach and promotion of specific tests as needed, oversees and confirms registration, arranges for rooms and proctors for live tests and for proctors for online tests, proctors some tests, and provides tests to proctors as needed.
• Works effectively with test developers, graders and raters, including communication around new tests and/or updated test versions, distributes completed tests for grading and rating, collects grades and ratings, follows-up as necessary.
• Manages test results, including reporting to appropriate parties; providing test takers with grades, documentation or certifications; and keeping a database of test results for research and other purposes.
• Oversees accounts and budgets, including billing departments and programs for tests, tracking payments for test developers, raters and graders, and managing the OLA budget.
• Serves as a key point and source of communication to provide accurate, detailed messaging about all aspects of the OLA with departments, programs, deans, deans of students, testers, graders, and test takers; updating the OLA’s websites and other messaging.
• Coordinates quality assurance reviews and recommends changes as appropriate.
• May interact with faculty, researchers and staff for committee work or information.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

---
Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in operations management, communication, or business administration.

Experience:

• Background working in administration and operations in a rapidly growing program.
• Familiarity working in academic contexts.
• Working knowledge with budgets and managing finances.
• Skilled at managing communications initiatives.
• Expertise working with multimedia and/or data management.
• Employment history in higher education or a similar environment.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of computers and relevant software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) guidelines and OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) testing; willingness to be ACTFL trained.
• Knowledge of assessment methodologies.
• Develop demonstrations and/or manuals.
• Work with graphic design programs to edit or proofread various types of communication pieces.

Preferred Competencies

• Native speaker of English or equivalent.
• Knowledge of at least one foreign language.
• Effectively communicate with faculty, students, faculty and various administrative offices at all levels within the University.
• Edit and proofread documents in English at an advanced level.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Scrupulous attention to detail.
• Organizational skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Problem solving skills.
• Facility and experience with social media for multiple purposes, including digital content creation.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Take initiative; work independently and as part of a team.
• Work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Multitask and complete work on time.
• Train others.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Interdisciplinary outlook.

​

­Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Lift up to 25 lbs.
• Walk to various parts of campus.
• Work evenings or weekends as necessary.

​

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Letter of Interest in this position (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)
• Response to the question - How do you approach the management of multi-point, complex operations, often under time constraints, while still maintaining quality and attention to details? (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Administration & Management

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Applicant Inquiry Form. <span>Applicant Inquiry Form</span> The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity /Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.