Fire Exams Analyst, Senior

City of Seattle•Seattle, WA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Civil Service Department believes that every employee plays a vital role in shaping the future of our city. Our mission is to create an equitable and engaging work environment where employees can thrive while making a real difference in the communities we serve. We provide high-quality services to City employees and departments and work closely with leaders to align policies and programs that promote workforce equity and excellence. Within this mission, the Public Safety Exams Unit plays a crucial role in ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process for public safety positions. We develop and administer merit-based entry-level and promotional exams for the Seattle Fire and Police Departments under the direction of the Public Safety Civil Service Commission (PSCSC). We aim to ensure that these exams are equitable, legally compliant, and accessible to all qualified candidates. We are looking for a Senior Fire Exams Analyst to co-lead the entry-level and promotional fire exam processes, managing all aspects of administration and continuous improvement. This role will help shape how the Seattle Fire Department selects future firefighters and fire officers. You will also support Seattle’s police civil service exam processes, collaborate with police and fire leadership, and work with a team of experts to enhance assessment and hiring outcomes. As one of two lead analysts for our fire exam processes, you will play a key role in ensuring its success and integrity. In this position, you will also contribute to improving public safety assessment processes - helping the Seattle Civil Service Department become the gold standard in public safety assessment and selection. This team includes four Public Safety Senior Analysts and two Public Safety Analysts. We work collaboratively to develop and administer civil service exams for eleven positions in the Seattle Police and Fire Departments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human resource management, business or public administration, social sciences, or another relevant field; AND Three years of professional experience in human resources, personnel administration, developing public safety or other civil service exams, or similar work OR Associate degree in human resource management, business or public administration, social sciences, or another relevant field; AND Four years of professional experience in human resources, personnel administration, developing public safety or other civil service exams, or similar work OR Five years of professional experience in human resources, personnel administration, developing public safety or other civil service exams, or similar work
A valid driver’s license
Ability to pass a criminal background check

Nice To Haves

Full-cycle project management
Leading and executing exams that directly impact public safety selection processes
Being a strong, dependable member of a team, whether leading an exam process or providing essential exam support
Applying a race and social justice lens to making testing processes more effective and equitable
Solving complex problems while balancing legal, ethical, and operational requirements
Communicating technical exam-related concepts in clear, accessible ways
Learning new things and being informed about emerging practices and developments in the profession
Maintaining ethics, integrity, and diplomacy, with the ability to remain steady in high-stress environments
Ensuring fairness, transparency, and accessibility in public safety hiring
Providing exceptional and welcoming customer service to fire and police candidates
Direct and implement large-scale projects, particularly related to hiring and promotional exams
Coordinate and be the point person for complex exam events involving up to thousands of candidates with a high rate of accuracy
Facilitate meetings with team members, subject matter experts, and stakeholders
Maintain flexibility and readiness to work onsite in the Seattle area during exam-related activities, including extended days and weekend activities
Strategically manage stakeholder relationships alongside department leadership
Work effectively with police and fire leadership, civil service and human resources staff, commissioners, and consultants
Exercise sound judgment when navigating complex problems and questions
Handle sensitive subjects with professionalism and discretion
Research, recommend, and implement exam process improvements
Defend exam processes and decisions in public hearings
Maintain confidentiality, security, neutrality, professionalism, and fairness for all candidates
Managing large-scale projects
Developing, coordinating, and administering employment-related exams—especially for public safety or civil service roles
Public speaking in small to large group settings
Training small to large groups
Facilitating virtual and in-person meetings
Working with public safety professionals, particularly police and fire departments
Human resources work related to merit-based selection
Operating effectively in a matrixed organization
Applying industrial/organizational psychology principles and personnel selection methods
Researching and explaining policies, laws, and hiring regulations
Managing contracts, budgets, and project logistics
Making sound decisions in high-pressure situations that may be subject to public scrutiny

Responsibilities

Lead civil service exam development and administration for public safety entry and promotional ranks, with a primary focus on fire service classifications
Serve as a primary subject matter expert, applying expertise in personnel assessment, exam design, and validation methods
Research, analyze, and evaluate exam administration practices, historical decisions, and industry best practices; develop recommendations and implement updates as needed
Standardize, document, and improve systems to ensure consistency, equity, and operational efficiency
Support and participate in exam administrations led by other examiners
Oversee the security and transport of exam materials
Plan, coordinate, and track exam-related tasks to ensure all activities are organized, clearly mapped out, and on schedule
Delegate exam development and administration tasks to Fire Exams Analyst, as appropriate
Manage exam-related data, documentation, and information throughout the testing lifecycle
Oversee and manage budgets, contracts, and invoices associated with exam development and administration
Operate effectively within all relevant electronic and data management systems
Help coordinate and respond to relevant public disclosure requests in accordance with applicable laws and policies
Serve as a backup to other team members for exam events and activities, as needed
Recruit, coordinate, and lead teams of subject matter experts for all phases of exam development and administration
Recruit and select assessors to serve as panelists for oral boards/assessment exercises
Train, supervise, and direct the work of subject matter experts serving as exam development committee members and assessors
Coordinate the transportation of assessors (including driving them) between hotels and exam sites as needed
Effectively communicate verbally at onsite or virtual meetings, trainings, and over the phone; and in writing in emails, memos and other documentation
Strategically engage with public safety departments, labor unions, and other partners to ensure and promote clarity, neutrality, and compliance with applicable rules and regulations
Provide excellent customer service to applicants and candidates while partnering effectively with department staff, consultants and industry subject matter experts
Ensure that exam processes adhere to federal, state, and local laws and administrative rules and civil service requirements
Anticipate, identify, and manage issues and challenges throughout the exam cycle
Document and clearly explain decisions as needed for stakeholders
Develop, maintain, and operate within standardized systems and workflows
Explain and clarify Seattle Public Safety Civil Service rules, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures for departments and other partners, providing guidance and education as needed.
Exercise sound judgment by determining when further information, consultation, or training is required and taking appropriate steps to obtain it.
Testify and explain examination work before administrative agencies and/or courts of law when required