Testing Specialist (Temp Non-Exempt Staff

Department:
Urban Education Salary:
Commensurate with Experience/Education Description Position Summary

The Testing Specialist oversees the certification examination pathway for candidates enrolled in the Alternative Intensive Certification Program (AICP). This role monitors each candidate's progress toward Texas Educator Certification, ensuring the timely completion of all required examinations while delivering holistic, individualized mentorship and scaffolded academic support. The Testing Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for candidates navigating the certification testing process and works closely with program faculty and staff to remove barriers to on-time completion.

• Guide candidates through the full sequence of required certification examinations (e.g., content pedagogy, PPR, and certification-area content exams) for both the Bilingual Education (EC-6) and Special Education (EC-12) tracks
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of TEA testing requirements, registration windows, score reporting timelines, and certification rules, and communicate changes promptly to candidates and staff
• Develop and maintain individualized testing plans and timelines for each candidate, aligned to program milestones and certification deadlines

• Track candidate testing status, attempts, and outcomes using program data systems; flag candidates at risk of delay or non-completion
• Maintain accurate, current records of exam registration, completion, and pass rates for internal reporting and funder deliverables
• Provide regular progress updates to the Principal Investigator and instructional team to support cohort-level planning

• Provide one-on-one and small-group mentorship addressing test anxiety, study planning, and content-area gaps
• Coordinate and/or deliver targeted test-preparation resources, practice assessments, and study sessions tailored to individual candidate needs
• Connect candidates with additional academic, financial, or personal supports as needed, referring to program leadership or campus resources when appropriate
• Foster a supportive, culturally responsive environment that reflects the program's commitment to serving candidates from diverse linguistic and educational backgrounds

• Partner with AICP faculty, field supervisors, and recruitment staff to ensure alignment between coursework, field experiences, and testing readiness
• Contribute testing-outcome data and narrative updates to grant progress reports for the Houston Endowment
• Participate in program meetings, professional development, and continuous improvement efforts

• Bachelor's degree required
• Valid Texas teaching certificate and/or direct experience with the Texas educator certification process (TExES exams)
• Experience working with adult learners, career-changers, or alternative certification candidates
• Strong organizational skills and experience managing multiple candidate timelines simultaneously
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to mentor and motivate adult learners

• Experience with Bilingual Education (EC-6) and/or Special Education (EC-12) certification content
• Familiarity with TEA certification systems (e.g., ECOS) and testing vendor platforms (e.g., Pearson/NES)
• Experience with grant-funded or federally funded education programs

• Working knowledge of Texas educator certification requirements and testing structures
• Ability to interpret exam score reports and translate them into actionable study plans
• Data management skills sufficient to track candidate progress and support program reporting
  
  Cultural competence and demonstrated commitment to equity in teacher preparation
• Experience with the needs of non-traditional students learning styles

This position description reflects the general nature and scope of work performed and is subject to revision as program needs evolve.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.