Testing Specialist

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); Hempfield Township (Westmoreland County); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority seeks a Testing Specialist to develop, administer, and validate exams supporting employee selection and promotions. You will partner with stakeholders across the agency, including business units, Labor, Legal and Diversity, and the broader People team.

You will conduct job analyses at least every five years, document data, and update exams with approval from the Talent Assessment Manager as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Industrial Psychology, Human Resources, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum 2 years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in management/methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; or in personnel/public administration, recruitment, classification, labor relations, etc.
• A master’s degree in psychology or a related field may substitute for two years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Create selection and promotion assessments: written, practical skills, physical abilities, interviews, etc., to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Manage physical administration of examinations; coordinate practical exams with departments.
• Analyze test statistics, validate tests, deliver post-testing notifications, and maintain testing records.
• Plan, develop, and implement testing strategies with Talent Assessment Senior Manager and units to meet hiring goals.
• Conduct job analyses and provide guidance on identifying critical competencies; document validation studies and reflect current duties.
• Foster a professional, inclusive environment aligning with MTA policies and programs.

Skills

Test development

Test validation

Statistical analysis

Communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

MS Office

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

BA/BS in Industrial Psychology or related field

Master’s degree substitute for 2 years experience

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Hours Of Work

7:30 am – 4:00 pm (7.5 hours/day, or as required)

Full/Part-Time

FULL

Description

JOB TITLE: Testing Specialist

Dept/Div

144-41 94th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11435

Supervisor

Senior Manager Talent Assessment

Work Location

144-41 94th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11435

Salary Range

$65,000 - $72,926

Deadline

Until filled

Telework Eligibility

This position is eligible for telework, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Opening

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Job Summary

The Testing Specialist is a member of the People Team responsible for developing, administering, and validating exams to support the selection and promotion of employees. They will partner with stakeholders across the agency, including business unit management, Labor, Legal, and Diversity, as well as the broader People team. The Testing Specialist will conduct job analyses for all titles no later than every 5 years, document and store the data, and update the exams, with the approval of the Talent Assessment Manager, as needed.

Responsibilities

• Creation of selection and promotion assessments, including written, practical skills, physical abilities, managerial pre-screening, computer skills, structured interviews, etc., to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities. Develops procedures and standardizes criteria for such activities. Works with departments to develop assessments for job titles that are in line with the needs of the department and organization. Works with OHS to create physical abilities tests.
• Responsible for the physical administration of small- and large-scale examinations. Works with departments to administer practical exams.
• Conducts post-testing processes including analyzing test statistics, test validation, post-conditional test notifications and confirmation of results, and maintenance of testing records.
• Collaborates with Talent Assessment Senior Manager and business units to plan, develop, and implement testing strategies to improve current processes in order to ensure hiring goals are met, and positions are filled with the best possible talent. Analyzes trends in testing and provides innovative ideas. Researches, implements, and adheres to industry best practices.
• Conducts job analyses and provides guidance on how to best identify critical work competencies. Provides information to the Talent Assessment Senior Manager to implement testing analysis by performing and documenting validation studies. Works with the Talent Assessment Senior Manager and the departments to analyze the effectiveness of current exams and ensures that they reflect the current job duties, responsibilities, etc. Assists in making changes as necessary.
• Creates and maintains a professional working environment that respects individual differences, enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential, and fosters a positive employee relations climate that ensures MTA principles, policies, and programs are consistently practiced.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of test development and administration, including test question design and validation and statistical analysis, such as standard deviation and correlations to performance and content validity.
• Analytical skills necessary for performing detailed job analyses and the creation of test questions.
• Proficiency in communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in organizational and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in working with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Proficiency in communicating and interacting well with external agencies.
• Proficiency in completing short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Proficiency in analytical and/or quantitative skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite or comparable applications, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people to creatively develop assessments.

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Industrial Psychology, Human Resources, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum 2 years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following areas: working in management or methods analysis, operations research, organizational research or program evaluation; or in personnel or public administration, recruitment, position classification, personnel relations, labor relations, employee benefits, staff development, employment program planning/administration, labor market research, economic planning, social services program planning/evaluation, or fiscal management. A master’s degree in psychology or a related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for two years of experience.

The Following Is/are Preferred

• Courses in tests and measurement, statistics, research, personnel psychology, and computers.

Other Information

May need to work outside of normal work hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)

Travel may be required to other MTA locations or other external sites.

According to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including those concerning veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.