FSI - Language Tester II - Yorktown Systems Group

Summary:

Language Tester II for The School of Language Studies (SLS) at the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) Foreign Service Institute (FSI) provides language training and testing to DOS employees and other government agencies in over 70 foreign languages. Enrollments in the School surpass 2000 students annually including up to 1000 distance learning enrollments.

General Requirements, but are not limited to:

• Serve as tester for language proficiency examinations, interacting with the examinee in the tester's native language or a language in which the tester has near-native proficiency. Proficiency tests may be face-to-face or by telephone or other technology-based medium (such as recorded audio, recorded video, live videoconferencing). The FSI language proficiency test rates the examinee's skills in reading and speaking. The tester provides information to an examiner about the examinee's performance on various parts of the test and about the content of the texts used in the test, and assists with the selection and/or preparation of reading test materials.

• Shall be required to become a certified tester by FSI LTU. Duties of the tester are defined by documentation in the LTU (provided post-award). FSI/SLS/LTU provides all training required for attaining FSI Tester certification. The training process takes approximately one year to complete and includes a 40-hour introductory workshop, approximately 25 hours of review classes and mentoring meetings with a Testing Mentor, a written assessment on testing processes, observations of at least three official exams, conducting mock practice exams, and conducting official exams observed by the Testing Mentor or LTU Operations Manager to complete certification.

• May be requested to conduct end of training tests at one of FSI's field schools overseas.

• Lead the creation and testing of new reading kits to be used in face-to-face, telephone or field-testing.

• Lead the production of audio or video materials for use in conjunction with LTU testing training.

• Collaborate with COR, ACOR, or GTM and others, to lead the reviewing and editing of foreign language and/ or English in testing materials.

• Adhere to all copyright guidelines and restrictions and follow FSI and SLS procedures regarding copyright.

• Adhere to all guidelines and follow all procedures regarding testing material security and safeguarding test score data.

Required Qualifications:

• Foreign Language Proficiency: Candidates provided by the Contractor Company must be educated native or near-native speakers of the language (preferably Level 4 or higher on the ILR proficiency scale). The Contractor Company must submit documentation that describes the candidates' ability to speak and teach the specific foreign language. Documentation shall include the candidate’s current resume and a written interview summary from the Contractor Company confirming that the candidate’s ability to speak and teach the foreign language has been verified and meets the level specified in the respective CLIN the candidate is being proposed for.

• English Proficiency: English proficiency at the 3-level or higher (ILR scale) in speaking and reading.

   

• Cultural Background: Candidates must possess the cultural background of the specific country or geographical region required by submitting proof of being raised or educated in said country, by living in a cultural enclave or heritage community in another country, or by demonstrating through work experience or academic preparation a deep understanding of the region. It is desired, but not required, that contractors should have spent their formal educational (secondary school and beyond) years in the cultural environment and have been schooled there through the equivalent of American secondary school.

• Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Companies can go to http://www.naces.org/members.htm to identify institutions recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience conducting proficiency-based tests in one or more foreign languages tested at FSI.

   

• English proficiency at the 3-level or higher (ILR scale) in speaking and reading.

• Be eligible to work in the United States and must have a minimum of one year remaining in U.S. employment eligibility.

• Follow all policies of the Language Section, the Administrative Unit, SLS, FSI, and DOS.

• Follow the guidance provided in the FSI Language and Culture Instructor Guide.

• Follow all administrative processes and procedures as detailed in the SLS Guide to FSI Administrative Procedures.

• Work in a harmonious and professional manner with colleagues who represent cultures from around the world.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• BA/BS, MA/MS, or Ph.D., or foreign equivalent degree in educational assessment, testing, and measurement fields valued.

   

• Experience designing and/or selecting testing materials valued.

   

• Experience with online delivery systems used to administer proficiency-based exams valued

Clearance:  National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI), background check

Location:  The School of Language Studies (SLS) at the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Arlington, Virginia

Travel:  Some Travel will be required