Director-Statewide Assessment; Administrator

JR Director-Statewide Assessment (Administrator) (Open)

Location:

Lincoln, NE
Hiring Agency:
Education - Agency 13
Hiring Rate: $44.632
Pay Grade 12: $92,834.59/year
Office

Location:

84th & O St, Lincoln, NE
Applications no longer accepted on: 02-26-2026

The Nebraska Department of Education is looking for a Director of Statewide Assessment to lead the development, implementation, and refinement of Nebraska’s Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) and ensure NSCAS supports teaching and learning, continuous school improvement, and professional learning systems. The hiring team is looking for candidates with district leadership experience, understanding of assessment or psychometric principles, and a dedication to customer service and strategic vision.

This is your opportunity to join a dynamic team with a strong social committee – this work is highly valued, and you’ll have an opportunity to be a leader in statewide assessment. Currently on a contract? We’ll wait for the right candidate to be released from their contract. The Nebraska Department of Education does not sponsor or transfer non-immigrant work visas for these positions.

• Directs the design, implementation, day‑to‑day oversight, and management of Nebraska’s Student‑Centered Assessment System (NSCAS).
• Recommends, implements, and administers methods and procedures to enhance the validity, reliability, scaling, usability, effectiveness, and efficiency of Nebraska’s Statewide Assessment System.
• Manages multiple contracts with vendors responsible for developing and administering the statewide assessments, maintaining vendor relationships to ensure program progress, quality and quantity of service, and compliance with laws, standards, and guidelines.
• Consults with and provides technical assistance on matters related to the development and implementation of NSCAS for the Department of Education, school districts, Educational Service Units (ESUs), administrators, teachers, and the general public.
• Facilitates communication and maintains strong relationships between Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) staff, contractors, and key stakeholders including schools, school districts, state agencies, ESUs, postsecondary education institutions, and other business and industry partners.
• Coordinates assessment taskforce groups (e.g., Governor’s Technical Advisory Committee, etc.) that serve as an advisory group related to the development, implementation, and refinement of Nebraska’s Student‑Centered Assessment System.
• Collaborates with and advises agency leadership on significant issues, program developments, and operations of the Statewide Assessment Section, maintaining an understanding of the programs, services, and operational functions and appropriately implementing policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Works collaboratively to complete annual and biennial budgets, ensuring the budget reflects major projects and initiatives, operational requirements, and changes in state and/or federal regulations.
• Provides leadership in hiring, supervision, and potential discipline of staff, conducting performance management activities including establishing annual goals, holding check‑in meetings, and completing performance appraisals; promotes a continuous learning environment and delegates work appropriately among staff.
• Maintains regular & reliable attendance, possesses a valid driver’s license and travels independently, and works in a variety of settings.

This position requires approximately 70% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 30% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as schools, educational service units, and other service agencies. There is also approximately eighteen days of overnight travel per year.

• Master’s degree in the field of education or related subject area, five years of experience related to the essential functions of the position to include leadership and/or managerial experience and preK‑12 teaching or school administration experience in an approved or accredited Nebraska school, or…