Public Safety Exams Analyst, Senior

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 Public Safety Exams Analyst to take the lead in managing the annual firefighter exam process, managing all aspects of administration and continuous improvement. This role will help shape how the Seattle Fire Department selects future firefighters. You will also support Seattle’s other police and fire civil service exam processes, collaborate with police and fire leadership, and work with a team of experts to enhance assessment and hiring outcomes.

As the lead analyst for the annual firefighter exam process, you will play a key role 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 Examiners 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. 

The three main focus areas for this role include:

Administration & Process Improvement of Annual Firefighter Exam: 

• Owning the primary responsibility for Seattle’s annual firefighter exam, leading all aspects of its planning, execution, and refinement
• Ensuring the exam meets legal standards and best practices for personnel assessment and selection, and equity goals
• Collaborating with colleagues, fire department Human Resources staff, exam consultants/vendors, incumbent subject matter experts, and other partners to develop and administer exams
• Recruiting and training assessors
• Implementing improvements across all public safety exams by integrating data and feedback
• Meeting frequently with exam development consultants and development committee members throughout the year
• Acting as the primary point of contact for applicants, responding to questions by telephone and email, as well as managing applicant records 

Supporting Civil Service Exam Development and Administration: 

• Collaborating with team members on all aspects of exam development and administration, including entry-level and promotional exams for police and fire
• Supporting exam development and administration, including:

Managing Projects: 

• Maintaining and analyzing information and data related to civil service candidates and exams
• Preparing initial responses to data requests and working on special projects related to applications and testing
• Using data insights to support decision-making and ensure fair, transparent hiring processes 

You will be most successful in this role with a combination of the following:

A passion for:

• Leading projects that directly impact public safety hiring
• Using data and analysis to make hiring processes more effective and equitable
• Solving complex problems while balancing legal, ethical, and operational requirements 
• Communicating technical exam-related concepts in a way that’s easy to understand 
• Ensuring fairness, transparency, and accessibility in public safety hiring 
• Providing exceptional and welcoming customer service to firefighter and police candidates?

Skills in:

• Leading large-scale projects, particularly related to hiring exams
• Coordinating large-scale exam events with up to thousands of applicants with a high rate of accuracy

• Working collaboratively with police and fire leadership, human resources staff, civil service commissioners, and hiring experts
• Researching and implementing process improvements in firefighter and police testing

• Defending exam processes and decisions in public hearings
• Maintaining confidentiality, neutrality, and fairness for all candidates

Experience in:

• Developing, coordinating, and administering employment-related exams—especially for public safety or civil service roles in a team setting
• Industrial/organizational psychology and personnel selection
• Researching and interpreting policies, laws, and hiring regulations
• Managing contracts, budgets, and project logistics
• Making decisions in high-pressure situations that may receive public scrutiny

In addition to the qualities mentioned above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education, training or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class):

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Resource Management, Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Three years of professional experience in human resources, personnel administration, developing public safety or other civil service exams, or other related experience

OR

• Associate Degree in Human Resource Management, Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Four years of professional experience in human resources, personnel administration, developing public safety or other civil service exams, or other related experience

OR

• Five years of professional experience in human resources, personnel administration, developing public safety or other civil service exams, or other related experience

As well as:

• A valid driver’s license
• Ability to pass a criminal background check

This civil-service position is eligible for overtime and is classified as a Personnel Analyst, Senior. This position reports to the Public Safety Exams Manager. The full pay range for this step-progression position is $53.27 - $62.02 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $53.27 hourly. Current City employees’ starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

First round interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 7 and/or Thursday, May 8, 2025. Second interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2024.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

The work associated with this position will require the ability to lift 30 pounds and work overtime, evenings, and weekends. This position supports a flexible work arrangement. While certain job functions require on-site presence, other tasks may be completed remotely. The balance between remote and in-person work will be determined in coordination with the supervisor based on operational needs.  

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please submit your application at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. To be considered for this position, in addition to completing your application fully, please attach:

• A PDF of your current resume which illustrates your related skills, experience, and abilities
• Cover Letter explaining your interest in this opportunity with the City of Seattle and identify specifically how the combination of your knowledge, skills, and interests align with our business needs and will contribute to your success in this role.

This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Lindsey King at Lindsey.King@seattle.gov. 

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Salary : $53 - $62