Lead Examiner - BTEC Firsts Health and Social Care - Unit 1 Human Lifespan Development

This job is closed and is displayed for reference only. 

Reference:LE/BTECF/HS 

Closing date:29 September 2019 at midnight 

We are currently recruiting a Lead Examiner for BTEC Firsts- Health and Social Care- Unit 1 Human Lifespan Development. 

A BTEC Lead Examiner will be the responsible and accountable subject expert for externally assessed units - in terms of specification interpretation, and the accuracy and correctness of assessment items.

The Lead Examiner will:·  

  • Lead and support the development, production, review and amendment of externally assessed items for the area of subject responsibility
  • Lead a team of examiners
  • Lead on the awarding of assessment outcomes
  • Keep up to date with changes in the sector
  • Have a detailed and up to date knowledge and understanding of the range of external assessment methodologies to be deployed
  • Report to and update the Senior Examining and Standards Verifier on a regular basis
  • Produce an end of year report within the parameters of a defined template in order to comment on nationals standards
  • Report back to Pearson within agreed service-level agreements
  • Contribute to Pearson’s ‘Ask the Expert’ service
  • Represent Vocational Assessment or Pearson as required
  • Undertake any other duties appropriate to the work of Vocational Assessment in relation to this role.

The Assessment Development Process

For the development of external assessments, the Lead Examiner will: 

  • Write new external assessment instruments in line with SAMs for a given unit
  • Be responsible for the quality of all items deployed for external assessment
  • Assist with the statistical analysis of external assessment data
  • Advise Pearson of any changes which could have an impact on items
  • Ensure all items provide a valid and fair test of achievement
  • Check the sense and meaning of items
  • Input and lead on the training for item writing as required
  • Lead on the standardisation of item writers as required
  • Attend QPEC meeting(s) to finalise external assessment instruments
  • Review amended external assessment instruments as necessary
  • Sign off content or amend when requested to do so
  • Respond to Pearson staff queries concerning technical issues with items. 


For the delivery of external assessments, the Lead Examiner will:

  • Lead on the pre-standardisation of the senior team
  • Lead on the training and standardisation of Examiners
  • Lead on the monitoring of Examiners during the marking period
  • Be responsible for the awarding of external assessment outcomes.
  • Have UK school-based teaching experience, in the relevant subject and qualification.
  • Have the right to work in the UK and a UK bank account. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Previous Work Experience

Essential

  • Substantial subject knowledge and expertise within the sector
  • Significant experience in delivering and assessing vocational qualifications
  • Experience in the production of external assessments within the sector
  • Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in the field of assessment of vocational qualifications
  • Leading a team

Desirable

  • Experience of advising and supporting others in the production of external assessment within the sector.
  • Experience of marking and results delivery, to include the examination process, pre-standardisation and standardisation activities, and awarding
  • Experience of teaching or assessing general qualifications
  • Experience of analysing statistical data in relation to performance of tested items.

 

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • A clear understanding of the educational landscape and regulatory requirements for qualifications within the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF)
  • Detailed knowledge of the specifications that comprise the area of expertise for the role
  • Excellent report writing skills
  • Ability to edit materials to ensure they are grammatically correct and fit for purpose
  • Excellent communication, written, verbal, IT and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to understand the implications of decisions taken on Pearson’s behalf and not to operate outside the sphere of responsibility defined within this job description
  • Demonstrable people management skills

Desirable       

  • Intermediate to advanced level skills in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel

Requirements

Any associate undertaking this role must:

  • Have personal IT equipment capable of running Pearson required software
  • Have a suitable internet connection
  • Have a personal and secure email account
  • Have a postal address in the United Kingdom or Republic or Ireland
  • Declare any conflicts of interest that could impact on the role
  • Have availability of a minimum of 10 days, depending upon the requirements and workload for the sector, in any given year
  • Abide by the terms of conditions as stated in the contract for work

Additional Information