Senior Human Resources Specialist (Classified Testing)

City of Houston, TX; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 53,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Houston, TX is seeking an Exam Development Specialist to support the Civil Service examination process for pre-employment and promotional testing. The role focuses on job analysis, assessment development, data analysis, and quality control in an onsite setting.

The position includes writing and reviewing examination materials, administering exams, and providing training on administration procedures. A bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 3 years of HR experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Minimum 3 years of professional HR experience is required; related experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Conducts job analyses to identify required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Exports and analyzes data to identify minimum eligibility requirements, core tasks, and knowledge areas.
• Writes, reviews, and revises examination questions and instructions; supports item analyses.
• Performs statistical analyses of psychometric properties for quality control and fairness.
• Administers pre-employment and promotional exams and conducts candidate orientations.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Social Science, Liberal Arts, or a related field

Job description

Under general supervision, this role supports the City of Houston’s Civil Service examination process for both pre-employment and promotional classified testing. The position focuses on developing exam projects through job analysis, assessment development, data analysis, and quality control.

Role Overview

This position develops and administers examination projects for City of Houston classified personnel. Core activities include job analysis, examination writing, data collection and analysis, and quality control. The role also supports related administrative duties as assigned.

Reporting Location: 611 Walker, 5th floor

Workdays & Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (subject to change)

Worksite: Houston, TX (onsite)

Applications Accepted From: All Persons Interested

Key Responsibilities

• Conducts job analyses by observing and investigating job activities, identifying required knowledge, skills, and abilities, and determining requirements for successful task completion.
• Exports, analyzes, reviews, and records data from sources such as job analysis questionnaires, rating forms, and historical databases to identify minimum eligibility requirements, core tasks, and knowledge areas for classified positions.
• Supports meetings and/or focus groups with subject matter experts to gather qualitative and quantitative job analysis data for identifying core tasks and knowledge areas.
• Writes, reviews, and modifies examination questions; reviews prior examination materials and item analyses; and prepares examination instructions.
• Performs statistical analyses to evaluate psychometric properties of examination items, including validity, reliability, item statistics, group mean differences, and adverse impact for quality control and examination fairness.
• Administers and/or proctors pre-employment and promotional examinations; conducts candidate orientations; and trains temporary personnel in examination administration procedures.
• Responds in writing or manages candidate appeals related to examination items in line with Commission Rules, policies, procedures, and decisions.
• Uses specialized software, websites, and databases to keep classified testing data current, accurate, and compliant with local codes, contracts, and federal laws.
• Answers candidate inquiries regarding City examination policies, administered examinations, and examination scores.
• Creates technical reports, summaries of findings, and recommendations related to examination development and validity.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Social Science, Liberal Arts, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of related professional experience in human resources. Pertinent professional-level experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology or a related field.
• Two years of experience designing, developing, and administering assessment exams in a business, non-profit, or municipal organization.
• Veterans’ preference: Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants when qualifications are met for competent discharge of the duties involved, when such persons are among the most qualified candidates, and all other factors are applied in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

Selection Process / Testing

• Skills assessment test: Department may administer a skills assessment test.

Working Conditions

The position is performed in an essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, and air conditions. There are no major sources of discomfort.

Safety Impact Position: YES X NO

Compensation

Salary Range: USD 53,430 - 73,484 per yearly

Pay Grade: 21

Salary offered is determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and the pay rates of other employees in this classification.