Certification and Test Specialist - Illinois Fire Service Institute

Laseagrant; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Fire Service Institute in Champaign-Urbana is seeking a Certification and Test Specialist to provide technical and administrative support for certification, test bank management, and exam analysis. The role focuses on exam administration, bank validation, and compliance with NFPA standards.

The position is 100% full-time Civil Service, offering opportunities in exam development, student support, and test maintenance, with collaboration across program leads and proctors.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; 3 years of related experience (36 months) in education, behavioral or related fields.
• Course work in education, behavioral sciences, social sciences, business administration or related field as measured by conversion tables.
• 2+ years of work experience in test administration methods and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Exam Administration: securely create, store, ship, and receive paper and computer-based exam kits; proctor exams; manage testing software.
• Exam Bank Management: validate exam bank questions; ensure references to NFPA standards; manage inventories.
• Certification Management: coordinate with Accreditation Manager; maintain records for reaccreditation and compliance; verify candidate eligibility.
• Exam Development: develop exams using testing software; produce master binders; print and assemble exam booklets.
• Customer Service and Training: train and audit proctors and evaluators; respond to inquiries; manage testing office emails and calendar.
• Test Analysis & Maintenance: review exam banks every 30 months; analyze item statistics; address validity concerns.
• ADA Coordinator: review ADA requests; maintain secure database; coordinate with program managers for ADA requirements.

Skills

MS Office

Adobe Acrobat

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Exam software

Job description

Certification and Test Specialist - Illinois Fire Service Institute

Are you ready to support themission of Illinois’ premier fire training organization? The Illinois FireService Institute (IFSI) is seeking a Office Associate to join our team. As thestatutory State Fire Academy for Illinois and the oldest continuous firetraining institution in the United States, IFSI trains more than 60,000 firstresponders annually through hands‑on, innovative, and research‑driveneducation.

Position Summary

The position providestechnical and administrative support in certification, test bank management,and exam analysis & maintenance for the Illinois Fire Service Institute,Statutory State Fire Academy for Illinois.

Duties and Responsibilities

Exam Administration

• Securely create, store, ship, and receivepaper and computer-based exam kits.
• Grade exams as needed.
• Proctor written/CBT exams, as needed.
• Work with individual students in a timelymanner to administer re‑takes of exams.
• Manage and utilize testing software.
• Manage iPads for onsite and offsite CBT andcoordinate updates with IT.
• Manage availability of regional testinglocations, proctor availability, and preparation of exam materials for regionalexams.

Exam Bank Management

• Lead the validation process of exam bankquestions, ensuring question references are to NFPA Standard JPRs, courseobjectives, and course textbook.
• Ensure completion of program exam blueprintduring each validation.
• Complete pre- andpost-validation checklists.
• Import Exam banks into testing software.
• Manage test bank electronic and printedinventory.

Certification Management

• Coordinate with the Accreditation Manager oncertification submissions, reporting to accrediting entities and the IllinoisOffice of the State Fire Marshal.
• Maintain records required forreaccreditation and compliance reviews.
• Verify candidate student eligibility forcertification examinations and practical skill evaluations.

Exam Development

• Develop examinations utilizing exam softwareaccording to blueprints developed during the validation process. Exam policygoal is to develop two tests (A & B) per discipline.
• Create Master Test Binder and completeapproval process.
• Print new exams, check, and prepare exambooklets for initial implementation.
• Retire/Archive old exams.

Customer Service and Training

• Responsible for the training, education, andauditing proctors and evaluators.
• Answer phone calls and respond to emailsfrom fire departments, program leadership, etc.
• Manage the testing office email and proctorcalendar.
• Exam Vault work – updating documents,maintaining exam vault supplies, etc.
• Coordinate the standards of practice andprovide training to other CTC Specialists to support testing tasks.

Test Analysis &Maintenance

• Review exam banks every 30 months or whenNFPA standards change to ensure accreditation compliance deadlines are met.
• Analyze question statistical data for thefirst four administrations of a newly created exam.
• Evaluate questions which show reliabilityconcerns. Questions falling outside the identified criterion are re-examinedagainst the course materials to confirm their validity. Questions that fail thevalidity test will be reviewed with program staff and, if changes are deemednecessary, the Director of Curriculum, Testing, and Certification.
• Analyze questions listed on the StudentFeedback Form for errors in language, logic, grammar, or factual mistakes andreport feedback to program staff.
• Identifypatterns of comments collected by the proctor of an exam and review thequestion’s statistical data, reporting feedback to program staff.

ADA Coordinator

• Review ADA requests, provide forms, andreview submitted documentation.
• Maintain secure database for ADAcommunication and files.
• Coordinate with Program Managers/Proctorsfor IFSI students with ADA requirements.

Qualifications

Required Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Any one or any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the following categories:
• Course work in education, behavioral sciences, social sciences, business administration or a closely related field, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
• 2. Work experience in test administration methods and techniques.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Three to five years of exambank management and test implementation.
• Experience with firefightingand technical rescue training programs is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with IFSI and its programs

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word,Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat for the creation of instructionalmaterials.
• Ability to learn new softwareand adapt to the use and implementation of new technology.
• High level of organizationalskills and great attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask andprioritize daily tasks and long-term testing projects.
• Ability to establish effectiveworking relationships with students and program leads.
• Familiarity with currentcurriculum development and testing methods.
• Ability to resolve problemsand answer questions in a prompt and tactful manner.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced hierarchical office environment.
• Ability to maintain accuraterecords (i.e., test results, answer sheets scanned, testing softwaremanagement).

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service Test Specialist position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after November 1, 2026. The salary range for this position is $55,000-65,000. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.
For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .