Curriculum, Testing, and Certification Specialist - Fire Service Institute
University of Illinois

Curriculum, Testing, and Certification Specialist - Fire Service Institute

Illinois Fire Service Institute
The University of Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. As the statutory fire academy for Illinois, the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) serves firefighters throughout Illinois and the world. World-class instructors deliver more than 14,000 class hours to students online, on campus and at regional training centers throughout the state. IFSI is operated as a continuing education and public service activity by the University of Illinois.

PRIMARY POSITION FUNCTION/SUMMARY:

The Curriculum, Testing, and Certification (CTC) Specialist provides support, both technical and administrative, in the areas of curriculum development, curriculum modification, test bank management, exam development, analysis & maintenance, and/or program accreditation and certification for the Illinois Fire Service Institute, Statutory State Fire Academy for Illinois. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, deadline-driven, and able to prioritize quickly and flexibly. Must be able to work collaboratively with others. This position reports to the Curriculum, Testing, and Certification Director.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
CURRICULUM:
Curriculum Development and Modification.
Collaborate with Program Managers (PMs), Program Directors (PDs), and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in developing training programs following established curriculum development best practices.
Advise, assist, and support PMs, PDs, and SMEs during curriculum modification projects and as needed /directed for the life of the exam.
Proofread instructional materials for grammatical and typographical errors.
Format instructional materials for standardization and consistency.
Standardize curriculum to ensure quality content and pedagogy are covered.
Oversee the completion of curriculum modification projects.

TESTING:
Exam Administration
Securely create, store, ship, and receive exam kits and grade exams as needed.
Work with individual students promptly to administer re-takes of exams.
Assist in the training, education, and audit of proctors and evaluators; proctor written/CBT exams, as needed.
Utilize testing software.
Prioritize, assign tasks, and supervise part-time staff.
Exam Bank Management
Guide the validation process of exam bank questions, ensuring question references are to an NFPA JPR, course objective, and course textbook.
Ensure completion of the program exam blueprint during each validation.
Complete pre- and post-validation checklists.
Exam Development
Develop examinations utilizing exam software according to blueprints developed during the exam validation.Exam policy aims to develop two tests (A & B) per discipline.
Test Analysis & Maintenance
Review exam banks every 30 months or when NFPA standards change to ensure accreditation compliance deadlines are met.
Analyze the statistical data of the exam questions for the first four administrations of a newly created exam and as needed/directed for the life of the exam.
Evaluate questions that show reliability concerns. Questions falling outside the identified criterion are re-examined against the course materials, confirming their validity. Questions failing to meet the validity test will be reviewed with program staff and the Curriculum, Testing, and Certification Director if changes are deemed necessary.
Analyze questions listed on the Student Feedback Form for errors in language, logic, grammar, or factual mistakes and report feedback to program staff.
Identify patterns of comments collected by an exam proctor and review the question's statistical data reporting feedback to program staff.

CERTIFICATION:
Program Accreditation / Certification
Oversee the development and validation of assessment tools by subject matter experts (SMEs).
Ensure components of NFPA standards are evaluated in-depth by course assessment tools.
Review assessment tools when NFPA standards change to ensure they are updated.
Assist with completing matrices/correlation sheets for national certification banks.
Field certification questions and certificate issues.
Assist with site visit preparation, planning, and execution when necessary.

OTHER DUTIES:
Perform other duties as required and participate in special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:

1. Bachelor's Degree.
2. Two years of professional experience.
3. Computer literacy with Microsoft Office programs and use of relational databases.
4. Preference will be given to candidates with proven knowledge of Fire Service education practices.
5. Preference will be given to candidates with proven knowledge and understanding of state and national certification agencies.
6. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge and understanding of NFPA standards.
7. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in curriculum development, written and practical testing development.

Preferred:

1. Experience with firefighting and technical rescue training programs is strongly preferred.
2. Familiarity with the latest Fire Research, which could be incorporated into IFSI course material.
3. Familiarity with IFSI and its programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat to produce instructional materials.
2. Demonstrated a high level of organizational skills.
3. Must possess excellent attention to detail.
4. Familiarity with current curriculum development and design methods.
5. Experience working in a fast-paced hierarchical office environment.
6. Ability to supervise, organize and coordinate the work of others.
7. Self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and achieve work goals.
8. Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and networking skills with large groups and individuals.
9. Ability to be self-supervising and anticipate recurring demands on one's time.
10. Ability to consistently exercise sound independent judgment.
11. Ability to manage conflicting demands on time and multiple tasks involving multiple co-workers; maintain and exhibit flexibility; work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
12. Ability to understand and accurately follow oral and written instructions.
13. Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted to perform required duties.
14. Provide effective customer service to both internal and external customers.
15. Perform effectively both independently and as part of a team.
16. Sustain a positive, "can-do" attitude and commitment to customer service for internal and external customers.
17. Respond immediately to changes, demands, and workloads in a positive and pleasant manner.
18. In all circumstances, perform duties professionally, individually, and as a team member.
19. Employs strategies and approaches to ensure and improve inclusion, diversity, and equity-based outcomes within the organization and across IFSI policies, programs, and services.
20. Establish and maintain effective work relationships with staff to perform required duties.
21. Interpret and apply IFSI policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, and regulations.
22. Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for a diverse number of projects and complete them promptly with limited supervision.
23. Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.
24. Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after January 16, 2025. The salary range for this role is $55,000 - 65,000.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on December 15, 2024. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Keri Borchers, kerib@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal , or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu .

Requisition ID: 1027270
Job Category: Education & Student Services
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

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