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LOCAL GOVERNMENT/AGENCY
FAQ'S -- Frequently Asked Questions
- What tests do you use and are they valid?
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PublicSafetyTesting.com only uses validated tests that meet or exceed industry standards. Our written tests are developed by Industrial/Organizational Solutions, Inc. and are state-of-the art, job-related, validated, provide no evidence of adverse impact, meet all federal, state and local guidelines and have high content, criterion and predictive validity. Our physical ability tests for law enforcement and corrections are those tests required by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission & Idaho POST, and for firefighters, the IAFF/IAFC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is administered. Our test administrators are experienced and our proctors are trained. Your agency officials are welcome to visit any testing site to observe testing procedures and methods.
- Does your service supplant civil service authority?
- No. Our service does not replace or supplant Civil Service Commissions or HR authority. We are merely an independent testing service for you. We provide you the raw scores related to the written and physical ability examinations. You then process those applicants and certify eligibility lists as you currently do. We have, free of charge, model civil service rules available that your Commission can adopt.
- Is this a statewide list?
- No. Applicants designate which subscribing agencies that they wish to apply to. Your agency will only receive the names (and raw scores) of those applicants that want to work for your agency and that have passed the written and physical ability examinations. No longer will you have to deal with those that fail to show for the testing, those that fail the written or physical, etc. - we do it for you!
- How often will you test?
- We test on a regular basis at locations throughout the Pacific Northwest - usually a few times each month. In essence, your testing efforts will be taken on the road across the region and on a frequent basis. Please click here to view our testing schedule.
- When does the eligibility list expire?
- The eligibility list itself does not expire. You will maintain a continuous list and we can provide you a model civil service rule (at no charge) to adopt this method. Individual candidate names on the list expire after 12 months on your eligibility list or 15 months from the date that we certify them, whichever occurs first. This provision was provided so that you do not have to (unless you want to) administer oral boards every time we send you the names/scores of new candidates, but can do so, for example, quarterly.
- Are you testing solely for my agency?
- No. Applicants decide what subscribing agency or agencies that they are applying to. One applicant could be testing solely for your agency, yet another could be testing for your agency plus a number of others.
- When will you send our agency the scores?
- As soon as we have verified and certified the scores and are certain that all records are accurate, we will electronically send your agency the biographical data and scores of the applicants that not only want to work for your agency, but that have passed the written and physical agility tests. You should receive the names/scores in less than 5 days following the test.
- What if our agency has special requirements, such as a college degree?
- Applicants have the opportunity to view information about each subscribing agency, including department information, community information, salary and benefit information, etc., and any special requirements your agency may have. So, for example, if your agency requires a 2-year college degree, the applicant will have to indicate that they meet that requirement during their on-line application process. We are able to accommodate any special requirements you may have.
- What kind of advertising will you do?
- We advertise in most major newspapers in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, we frequently participate in job fairs, distribute flyers to colleges and military bases, and pursue other marketing opportunities. We sponser a Spring and Fall Public Safety Career Fair as well. Subscribing agencies are provided "business cards" that can be distributed (in lieu of extensive application packets, etc.) by HR personnel, line-employees and others to prospective applicants - an effective and convenient recruiting tool! We will provide a link to your agency on our website and ask that you provide our link on yours as well. We have learned that this is where many applicants apply from.
- Is it expensive for applicants?
- As is common in many professions, we charge the applicant a testing fee for the convenience and flexibility of our services. We spoke with many applicants in the development of our service and learned of the inconvenience of having to test for every single agency where they want to work - applicants often have to take time off of work, travel hundreds of miles, pay agency testing fees, pay for hotel rooms, etc. - and they do this for each test. Agencies also often test on the same dates and applicants must choose which agency they are going to test for. Applicants indicated their willingness to pay for the flexibility and convenience that we offer - and the ability to apply to multiple agencies and take only one written exam and one physical ability test.
- How much will it cost our agency and what will we get in return?
- For a fraction of what you spend now to advertise, recruit, process applications, conduct tests, etc., Public Safety Testing will do it for you. Not only will your agency spend much less, you will have a better - and frequently updated - candidate pool! Annual fees are based on the size of the agency - call or email for details.
- PublicSafetyTesting.com will:
- · Advertise - you get exposure statewide, region wide, and on the worldwide web.
- · Market via colleges, military bases, minority newspapers, attend job fairs, etc.
- · Sponser a Spring and Fall Career Fair.
- · Process applications - we handle the paperwork!
- · Administer the written exam.
- · Administer the physical agility exam.
- · Provide you the names of candidates that have passed the written and physical agility exams and that want to work for your agency.
- · Provide other needed services such as background investigations, promotional exams, assessment centers, customized consulting, training, etc.
- What are subscribing agency representatives saying about your services?
- We constantly seek out feedback from agencies and applicants. We are in continuous communication with our agency representatives and conduct annual all-agency meetings with subscribing police, sheriff, fire and correction's agency representatives.
- The following question (responses follow) was asked of the local government agency representatives at these meetings:
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PublicSafetyTesting.com's SERVICES?
- Cost effective, convenient and good candidates.
- Use of validated tests.
- Better applicant pool in all respects.
- The ability to have good candidates without need for us to conduct written and physical tests.
- The multiple dates and test locations are great for candidates.
- That you are responsive to the needs of applicants and agencies.
- It outsources the entry level testing allowing more time for staff to do other tasks.
- Continually refreshed list; doesn't grow stale.
- Drawing applicants from a much larger geographical area.
- Diversity, dynamic list updates.
- That you do all the various testing and send us the results of the qualified applicants.
- Easier for applicants to find convenient times to test.
- Regular intervals upon which we receive new candidates.
- It has saved many hours of work I have had to do to prepare applications, send letters, and arrange facilities to do the testing. Plus, I feel it will save the city money in the long run, and we always have a current list.
- Broader applicant pool than what we've had before.
- Have received good candidate feedback.
- Will you make a presentation to our Civil Service Commission?
- Yes. Please call our office at 1.866.HIRE-911 or email your detailed request to
info@publicsafetytesting.com.
- We are from another region in the US and are interested in your services here - how do we do that?
- PST is very interested in working in other regions - just call toll free 1.866.HIRE-911 or email jon@publicsafetytesting.com and we will promptly follow-up with you..
- Do you offer other services?
- Yes. We offer a variety of customized consulting and HR services. These include comprehensive background investigations, promotional examinations, assessment centers, applicant personality testing, candidate integrity testing, CPAT validation studies, and others. Please click here for additional information.
- Public Safety Testing, Inc.
New System. Better Results. Total Package.
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