Accessibility and Inclusion Assessment Specialist

This position works remotely, requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 05-14-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 (states and territories). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.

Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed, regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.

UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demand of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit, and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.

More information can be found at https://smarterbalanced.org

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Accessibility and Inclusion in Assessment, this position plays a vital role in ensuring equity across K-12 summative and interim assessments. The incumbent will apply specialized A&I principles to the design, review, and implementation of content, ensuring that all students have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge.

Beyond content creation, this position will collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams to innovate and upgrade functional assessment features for better usability.

This work requires an eye for detail necessary for navigating existing quality-control frameworks to resolve complex issues within item pools and resource delivery.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $35.01 - $37.38/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 006149 (INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER 2) - Grade 20

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

45% - Accessibility Resource Development and Implementation

• Applies Accessibility and Inclusion (A&I) principles when reviewing test content, ensuring assessments are designed to support all learners.
• Assists in developing accessibility resources for summative and interim assessments, as well as ancillary materials.
• Conducts reviews to ensure test content meets high-quality standards.
• Maintains clear documentation of the resource creation processes to support consistency and reproducibility over time.
• Collaborates effectively with cross-functional teams, consortium members, and external service providers.

30% - Technical Support and Program Strategy

• Serves as a technical resource for A&I educational research, policy, and practice within the team.
• Partners with the Product Management team to support the design and upgrade of assessment features and functional accessibility.
• Assists with developing guidelines and recommendations to support the A&I Director.
• Works with Content teams to resolve specific issues impacting accessibility resources and item pools.
• Supports the implementation of the Usability, Accessibility, and Accommodations Guidelines across consortium members.
• Keeps abreast of emerging innovations in educational technology and assessment to identify opportunities for enhancing accessibility.
• Leverages AI, automation strategies, and various assistive technologies to streamline workflows and enhance the development of accessible assessment features.

25% - Operations and Quality Assurance

• Uses project management strategies to prioritize tasks and meet demanding timeframes for resource delivery.
• Works with project management staff and external vendors to ensure timely deliverables.
• Performs quality control checks on newly developed accessibility resources within an established timeframe.
• Communicates with external vendors to resolve quality-control issues identified during the QC checks.
• Collaborates with the Test Production and Psychometrics teams to quickly and effectively resolve quality flags raised by the gap analysis.
• Facilitates member discussion of new strategies for the development of accessibility resources.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Professional experience in A&I within the K-12 assessment industry.
• Experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote collaboration among staff.
• Knowledge of best practices in pedagogy for special populations, including the development of instructional materials and assessment protocols.
• Understanding of current advancements and innovations in developing and implementing accessibility resources for assessments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing tasks.
• Strong verbal communication skills to effectively collaborate with and influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written communication skills, including proficiency in grammar, spelling, and formatting.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to identify inconsistencies and maintain high standards of quality.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience supporting or instructing students with disabilities or other special populations in K-12 classrooms.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work overtime including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays to meet operational needs, and work an alternate work schedule shift as required.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.