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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00277244 |
Description Activated On: 1/20/2026 10:51:05 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Under direct supervision of the Fire Services Education Specialist Supervisor (Certification Program Manager) and general supervisor of the Assistant Fire Academy Training Services Administrator (Asst. Administrator) of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy (PSFA), this position will work with test sites to ensure compliance with testing policies and procedures and will plan, research, validate and verify results utilizing current policies and industry standards. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Evaluator Program: Provides technical advice to certification program manager when new evaluator applications are received, and during evaluator investigations. Works with the clerical assistant in maintaining an accurate electronic list of evaluators utilizing the State Fire Academy’s recognized records management system including approved levels for each evaluator, and annual renewals. Support both the new evaluator training program, as well as the annual evaluator updates by arranging necessary logistical support, application processing, and development of a presentation based on the delivery modality and assist in the delivery of training content. Field Test Site/Delegated Authority Program Support: Receives and evaluates the application of an entity to become a credentialed field test site or delegated authority. Arranges visit with the applicant to review appropriate test site security procedures, test site equipment and logistical support for test site candidate routing procedures. Reviews field test site or delegated authority annual submission of reports including site certification process, policy updates, and site certification budgetary reports. Advises certification program manager of compliance with PSFA policies. Reviews field test site or delegated authority application requesting a new level of certification. Advises certification program manager for approval or denial. Provides quality assurance checks with field test site locations and delegated authorities through coordinated site visits. Completes necessary reports and advises certification program manager of result(s). Identifies, investigates, and recommends disciplinary actions to the certification program manager for test sites who have violated PSFA Certification Program Policies or have not met performance standards. Assists with preparation of reports and presentations for the test site coordinator meeting(s) held throughout the year. Testing: Review and validate test bank questions to current job performance standards (JPRs) in multiple disciplines and advises certification program manager regarding testing mechanisms for new or revised level(s) of certifications. Provides ongoing validation of program documentation including administration manuals, candidate and evaluator handbooks, psychomotor skills sheets, and multiple cognitive test mechanisms. Coordinates and oversees certification tests that may be conducted as part of the PSFA programs including Resident Program, Academy on the Road (AOTR) Program, Alternative Energy Emergency Response (AEER) Program, and the local level training program. Reviews and processes candidate test submissions as received from field test site locations in a secure environment while maintaining all Certification Department policies and procedures including accuracy, pre-requisite fulfillment, scoring of cognitive and psychomotor tests (written test and skills sheets), prepares test result statistics, candidate pass/fail determinations, advises Certification Department Program Analyst of testing results, and reports any anomalies identified to the certification program manager. Provides technical oversight of all levels of accreditation and ensures testing procedures and processes are in compliance with national standards as required through the 5-year cyclical inspection with Pro-Board National Board on Fire Services Professional Qualifications (NBFSPQ) and the 3-year cyclical inspection with International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). Advises or seeks advice from the Fire Service Certification Advisory Committee (FSCAC) on relevant updates or questions during the committee’s meeting. Certification Process: Under the direction of the certification program manager, coordinates/facilitates subcommittees for work projects pertaining to certification competencies, testing process validity, and maintaining relevant testing materials. Coordinates, assists, and provides technical advice to the Certification Department clerical assistant regarding issues that may arise during normal workflow activities. Advises certification program manager on needs of the certification department including but not limited to equipment purchases/updates, test bank purchases, standards, and guideline publications to support technical reviews. Responsible for, or assist in, the Participating Department Program including review of new applicants, review of renewals and advise certification program manager of approval/denial recommendations. Provides technical advice to the certification program manager when requests for reciprocity or equivalency are submitted. Each request may involve technical research in industry standards, contacting other certifying entities, and comparing submission to the PSFA Certification Department policies and procedures. Provides or assists in providing certification reports as requested by management staff at all levels and locations within the organization, elected officials, governmental agencies, and non-governmental agencies. Provides technical advice while representing the PSFA Certification Department and/or the Office of the State Fire Commissioner while attending planning meetings for new course development, standards committees, conferences, seminars, and research assignments at other entities. Receives, assesses, and researches appeal requests including test results, field test site complaints, evaluator/proctor complaints, or certification process failures as directed by the certification program manager. Advises certification program manager of results, provides a suggested course of action, and assists in implementation. Receives, assesses, and researches candidate accommodation requests. Provides recommendations to the certification program manager regarding these requests. Assists or provides technical advice for PSFA projects as assigned. Performs other related duties as assigned. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. Position responsibilities and duties are carried out in accordance with established Commonwealth and Agency policies, practices, and procedures. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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