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Test Item Writer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Assessment Design Lead

$100K - $140K/yr

... tests to onboarding placement, all in service of understanding users' proficiency levels and ... an item writer can generate items against and an ML Engineer can build a grading model against.

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STORE/PRICE INTEGRITY LEAD CLERK

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$14.50 - $19.50/hr

Effective written and oral communication skills * Demonstrated aptitude to manage people and ... Check in and test scan all vendors * Maintain weekly ad item in scanning file * Provide ...

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Senior Packaging Engineer

Visalia, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

... of item, special handling, and safety requirements, and type of materials required for packaging ... Strong written and oral communication skills. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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Test Item Writer information

What is a test item writer?

Test item writers are professionals who design and develop questions or tasks (known as 'items') for assessments, such as standardized tests, certification exams, or classroom evaluations. Their responsibilities include creating questions that accurately measure the intended knowledge or skills, ensuring clarity and fairness, and aligning items with the test's objectives or curriculum standards. Test item writers often collaborate with subject matter experts and follow strict guidelines to maintain validity, reliability, and security in testing. They may specialize in particular subjects or grade levels and are essential to the assessment development process.

What does a test item writer do?

As a test item writer, you write questions and answers for use in various types of exams. This may involve creating multiple-choice questions, selecting content based on the expected educational attainment of test takers, or conforming to standardized test requirements for any given subject. Tests are particularly common in the educational industry but can also be used in situations like evaluating the skills of potential hires for a company. Most test item writers specialize in relevant areas, such as mathematics or biology. When questions do not have set answers, such as essay questions, this job usually involves creating a rubric for graders to reference when scoring.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a test item writer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Test Item Writer, you need a strong command of subject matter expertise, excellent writing skills, and a background in education or instructional design. Familiarity with assessment platforms, item banking software, and knowledge of standardized test frameworks is typically required. Attention to detail, creativity, and the ability to interpret testing standards help set outstanding writers apart. These skills ensure that assessment items are accurate, fair, and effective at measuring the intended knowledge or skills.

What are some common challenges test item writers face when developing assessment questions?

Test Item Writers often encounter challenges such as ensuring questions are fair, unbiased, and accurately aligned with learning objectives or standards. Balancing clarity with appropriate difficulty is crucial, as poorly worded or ambiguous items can confuse test-takers and compromise results. Additionally, writers must frequently collaborate with subject matter experts and editors to review and revise items, which requires strong communication and adaptability. Keeping up with evolving assessment best practices and maintaining the security and originality of test content are also ongoing responsibilities.
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Test Item Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Test Item Writer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Full Time, 33% Temporary, and 34% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Test Engineer (NH-0861-02T03)

Air Force Test Center

Edwards, CA • On-site

$47.49 - $161.31/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

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Job description

These listed job announcements are covered by Direct Hire Authorities (DHA), which are separate from the traditional recruitment job announcements found on USA Jobs.For more information on DHA, click the Air Force Civilian Serviceimage linkon the right side of the page (or scroll to the bottom of your mobile device) and click “Find a Job.” You can also click the USA Jobs image linkto view additional job announcements. For further assistance, please contact AFTC Enterprise Recruitment at AFTC.Enterprise.Recruiting@us.af.mil .

NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Test Engineer (NH-0861-02T03) to work at the 412 Test Wing, 412 Test Engineering Group, 773 Test Squadron, Performance and Flying Quality Flight A (773 TS/ENFA) at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

The primary purpose of this position is: to serve as a professional engineer responsible for test engineering in assigned programs/projects. Employee applies multidisciplinary engineering techniques and management principles to determine optimum test approaches and procedures for achieving program test and evaluation objectives, and/or to determine operational or technical adequacy of item or system requirements or specifications. Duties performed support the acquisition, development or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.

Announcement Closes: 31 Aug 2026.

Typical 2026 salary range: $47,490 - $161,313 per year (includes Locality)

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel

Areas of Consideration (AOC): Department – wide (DoD)

Incentives:

This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

Desired Skills:
  • 1 year of engineering experience in a flight test environment. Comfort and adaptability in a dynamic control room environment.
  • Eagerness to develop and implement new processes, techniques, and methodologies to advance flight test and analysis.
  • Experience with Python and/or Matlab programming desired.
Major Duties:
  • Performs a wide variety of professional engineering duties associated with administering test and evaluation (T&E) efforts for a specialized area within assigned projects/programs.
  • Plans and executes duties to provide a T&E Program which efficiently acquires decision quality test item performance data.
  • Ensures test data and information collected measures progress in systems and capability development.
  • Assesses, evaluates, and compares test data and results with modeling and simulation results, system performance and mission requirements, test plan and objectives and presents the outcome in the form of plots, tables, and other graphic representation.
  • Performs analysis and uses systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to implement, develop, and documents projects.
  • Evaluates and recommends procedures of innovative techniques and methods to achieve goals.
  • Participates in planning conferences, prepares management reports, and conducts technical presentations for planning, implementation, and corrective action.
  • Develops and maintains effective working relationships with all associated personnel.
Qualifications/Requirements:
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest
  • Obtain & maintain Security clearance
  • This is a designated Drug Testing Position
  • Ability to synthesize concepts, principles, and practices across technical and test engineering disciplines.
  • Knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, materials, and equipment to effectively apply multidisciplinary engineering theories, procedures, and techniques to test and evaluation activities.
  • Knowledge to perform the requirements planning, coordination, test direction, data collection, analysis, and reporting of results for a wide variety of test projects.
  • Skill in planning and organizing test activities, analyzing test data to verify item/system meets established performance requirements, and in providing thorough and precise information to management.
  • Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

POC Names & Emails: 412teng.cl.manpower@us.af.mil and reference PID# 26-146110037 in the subject line.

ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC STRATEGIC HIRING GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED
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