Specialist, Certification Exam Developer

Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP); Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) seeks a Certification Exam Developer Specialist to lead the development, maintenance, and monitoring of AMPP certification examinations, ensuring they reflect actual job roles.

You will facilitate in-person and virtual SME meetings, manage item writing and review, and prepare exam materials for production while upholding exam security and defensibility.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in psychometrics or related field with relevant experience.
• 1–3 years professional test development experience.
• Experience with job task analysis or credentialing processes is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products and data tools.

Responsibilities

• Organize and facilitate SME workshops (in-person or remote).
• Oversee item writing, review, and bank maintenance.
• Coordinate exam blueprints and test form preparation.
• Ensure legal defensibility and policy compliance of exams.
• Manage vendor and SME relationships and project schedules.
• Support translation and security measures for exams.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Microsoft Office

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree in Psychometrics, Educational Psychology, Psychology or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database software

Job description

JOB TITLE: Certification Exam Developer Specialist

DIVISION: AMPP

DEPARTMENT(S): Certification

REPORTS TO: Sr. Director, Credentialing & Sr. Director Operations

FLSA STATUS: Exempt REVISION

SUMMARY

The Certification Exam Developer position is responsible for the development, maintenance, and performance monitoring of AMPP certification examinations including exam updates. In addition, the role will be required to perform facilitation of in-person and virtual meetings with subject matter experts to ensure that the end-result is based on actual job role requirements. Examples of tasks include exam development, item writing, item referencing, item bank maintenance, preparation of materials for item review and preparation of exam forms for Test Production. This individual will also ensure that all exams meet or exceed legal defensibility process and policy requirements as stipulated by the AMPP Certification program office. Detailed focus on items quality and exam security is central to this role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Competency Model Facilitation: Organize and assist in the facilitation of face-to-face competency modeling workshops. Keep current the competency model that delineates performance and knowledge/skills used as the basis for development of exams. Frequency and criticality of tasks performed is collected so that the objectives are prioritized and weighted. Breakdown tasks that make up a specific role, based on input by subject matter experts (SMEs) who are currently performing that function. All high-stakes certification exams are based on the competency model through the blueprint process
• Blueprint Utilization: After the objectives are prioritized and weighted, the number of exam items is determined.
• Exam Quality Process: Organize and conduct face-to-face or remote item development workshops. Manage vendor-produced exam development work, activities, and deliverables. Train subject matter experts and vendors on writing technically sound exam items. Create items (questions) to ensure test takers meet a defined level of performance and knowledge/skills. Oversee item review for technical content, validity, items standards, and grammatical. Prepare the item bank for final exam publishing and ensure there is a complete Exam Preparation Guide (EPG).
• Standard Setting Methodology: Organize and assist in the facilitation of standard setting workshops: Manage SMEs recruiting, scheduling, set up and administration of exam and ratings in Exam Developer.
• Exam Performance: Given data analysis monitor the continued validity and reliability of exams during the period in which they are active. Track the performance of exams and items; when necessary, revise and/or remove items. Verify that the exams meet the target audience and program needs.
• Project Management: Manage development of certification exams. Organize and facilitate project meetings, develop status reports, manage schedules and deadlines, initiate and maintain strategic relationships and partnerships. Assure quality of deliverables
• Support team members: Collaborate with Exam development coordinator when responding to Certification Exam mailbox, posting volunteer opportunities, and workshop logistics.
• Translations: Implement appropriate methods for translating exams to maintain test security, reduce bias and improve quality.
• Board Liaison: work with the Boards to recruit SMEs, program changes and initiatives

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Some travel is expected for this role and passport is required.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Masters degree in Psychometrics, Educational Psychology, Psychology or equivalent experience
• 1-3 years professional test development experience
• 1-3 years' Job Task Analysis experience, highly preferred
• Strong knowledge of all Microsoft Office products
• A background in the testing and assessment industry is strongly preferred. Item and Test Development experience is required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, members, employees of the organization, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to calculate figures and perform item analysis using test development psychometrics. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to develop and interpret business graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Project management
• Statistical Item analysis (not required / nice to have - will be required to learn)
• Communication and presentation
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office products and database software
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to think globally
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work under pressure and meet exacting deadlines
• Proven dependability and high regard for security
• Negotiating with vendors
• Working within the budget and tracking expensesStrong facilitation skills
• Strong editorial skills
• Global business and member driven \ association experience a plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.