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Temporary Bilingual Test Administrator

University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This temporary role administers assessments to elementary school children for a behavioral research study. What experience do you have working with young children?

What they are checking: Whether they are comfortable and patient with young children, because a nervous or bored child produces assessment results that mean little.

How would you build enough rapport with a child in a few minutes that they give you their real effort?

What they are checking: Whether they can quickly put a child at ease and keep them engaged, since tired or shy children underperform and distort the results.

What would you do

A child becomes upset partway through an assessment. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they put the child's wellbeing ahead of finishing the assessment, which matters for ethics and for the family's trust in the study.

You would be working in schools around teachers and staff. How do you work in someone else's classroom without disrupting it?

What they are checking: Whether they can work quietly as a guest in someone else's school, because teachers who feel disrupted may stop cooperating with the study.

You would see children's assessment results. What can you tell a parent or a teacher, and what can you not?

What they are checking: Whether they understand research confidentiality and will refer questions to the study team, since sharing results improperly can harm families and the project.

What would you do if you realized you had administered something incorrectly?

What they are checking: Whether they would report their own mistake right away, because a hidden administration error corrupts data that researchers will rely on.

The study runs from September 2026 to June 2027 with two assessment periods of three to four weeks each. Does that pattern work around whatever else you are doing?

What they are checking: Whether the intermittent schedule genuinely fits their life, because a temporary assessor who drops out mid-period leaves the study short-handed.

About the work

This position is bilingual. Which languages do you work in, and how comfortable are you assessing a child in each?

What they are checking: Whether they can truly assess children in both languages, since uneven fluency would skew results for the children the study needs most.

Assessments have to be administered the same way every time for the data to mean anything. How would you keep to a script with a child who is not cooperating?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay on the standard script while gently managing a restless child, because any deviation makes the research data unusable.

The posting requires background checks and medical paperwork for interaction with children before the first assessment period. Are you able to complete those?

What they are checking: Whether they can complete the required clearances in time, since no one can work with children until that paperwork is done.

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The full job description

As published by University of Chicago.

Department Harris BIP Lab Students and Temp About the Department Job Information Job Summary: The Behavioral Insights and Parenting (BIP) Lab at the University of Chicago is conducting a large-scale research study at multiple elementary schools within the (Rowan-Salisbury/ Lafayette/Coachella) public school system. As part of the study, the language skills of pre-k and kindergarten children will be assessed at multiple points. We seek individuals who can travel to sites to administer language assessments to pre-k and kindergarten children in English and Spanish. The study begins in September 2026 and will conclude in June 2027. Each assessment period will last 3-4 weeks. There will be 2 assessment periods in the course of the study. We anticipate that these will be in October and May. During the assessment periods, staff will work full work weeks, Monday through Friday, largely during standard school day hours. We seek candidates who are available full-time for these 3-4-week stretches. While it is not a requirement that assessors work in between each of the assessment periods, strong preference will be given to candidates who commit to working throughout the study. Background checks and medical paperwork required for interaction with children must be completed before the first assessment period. Must be available for in-person training in Chicago in September 2026. Note that individuals will be hired on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Transportation costs to assessment sites and to trainings will be compensated. Responsibilities: • Participate in training on the administration of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-V), Woodcock Johnson IV oral comprehension subtests, and a custom curiosity assessment. This training is planned to be in Chicago • Demonstrate mastery of testing materials and administration before administering the assessments • Complete paperwork, background checks, and medical immunizations as required by partner school districts, the University of Chicago, and the State of Illinois • Travel to partner schools throughout the region to administer assessments to pre-k and kindergarten-age children • Score assessments and deliver completed materials in accordance with established protocols • Protect research participant confidentiality and data in accordance with BIP Lab protocol, The University of Chicago Institutional Review Board guidelines, and partner district requirements • Represent the BIP Lab at partner sites, interacting with faculty, staff, and children participating in the study • Work with BIP Lab research staff to coordinate assessment schedules • Assist in helping to refine assessment protocol in communicating observations and experiences in the field ​ Competencies: • High-level reading, writing and speaking proficiency in both English and Spanish languages • Strong organizational and interpersonal skills Additional Responsibilities Education, Experience or Certifications: Education: • High school diploma from an accredited institution or a GED certificate required • Bachelor’s degree in an educational field (e.g. education, psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, etc.) preferred Experience: • Experience working with preschool and kindergarten-age children, required. Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: • Able and willing to travel to research sites • Valid state driver’s license. Vehicle for transportation to/from testing locations strongly preferred • Locations include: NC: Rowan-Salisbury area, LA: Lafayette, CA: Coachella. Additional locations may be added Required Documents: • Resume The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Temporary Staff Scheduled Weekly Hours 35 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required No Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Frequency Pay Rate Type Hourly ​ FLSA Status Non-Exempt ​ Pay Range The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible This position is not eligible for benefits. Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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