King County Sheriff’s Office Candidate Orientation for the 2013 Captain Promotional Exam Donnoe & Associates, Inc

King County Sheriff’s OfficeCandidate Orientation for the 2013 Captain Promotional Exam

Donnoe & Associates, Inc.


• Donnoe & Associates, Inc. has been hired by King County to develop and administer the upcoming Captain promotional exam.

• Our company recently provided last two Captain promotional exams for the King County Sheriff’s Office. We also completed the last two Sergeant promotional exam processes for King County.

• We have been in business since 1987. We work exclusively with public agencies, developing and administering examinations.

Donnoe & Associates, Inc.4720 Duckhorn Drive

Sacramento, CA 95834

(916) 928-4911

(877) 22-EXAMS

www.donnoe.com

[email protected]


Official Information


This informational meeting, and description of the upcoming examination process, is general in nature. Any information published by King County, such as the exam-related GIBs are the only official information.

Donnoe & Associates’ Staff

Michael Donnoe

•Principal Consultant, Donnoe & Associates, Inc.•17 years of experience in personnel selection consulting.•Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling Psychology, University of San Francisco.•Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Organizational Behavior, University of San Francisco .

Dr. William Donnoe

•Industrial Psychologist & Company President. •40 years of experience in personnel selection.•Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership, University of San Francisco.•Master of Arts (M.A.) & Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), California State University, Sacramento.•Licensed Industrial Psychologist •Qualified as an expert witness in Federal Court.


Donnoe & Associates’ Role in this Exam• In this exam, we will be responsible for:

• Analysis of the job.• Development of the exam.

• Our staff develops all exam materials.• Subject matter experts from the King County Sheriff’s Office will

review and approve all exam materials – validating the exam for the Captain job.

• Rater training.• Exam administration.• Facilitation of exams conducted by panels of raters.• Data analysis / score tabulation.• Preparation of the score reports.


Questions?

Are there any questions about this presentation, or the exam process?


Job Analysis

Job Duties

1. Supervision and Leadership Tasks

2. Problem Solving Tasks3. Relationship, Coordination and

Liaison Tasks4. Fiscal Management, Resource

Management and Budgeting Tasks

5. Program Management Tasks6. Operational Tasks7. Related Peace Officer Duties.

These are fully described on the Captain promotional job bulletin.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills

1. Agency and Program Management Skills

2. Communication Skills

3. Decision Making Skills

4. Problem Analysis Skills

5. Leadership and People Management Skills

6. Analytical Skills

7. Interpersonal Skills

8. Technical Knowledge.

These are fully described on the Captain promotional job bulletin.


Exam Development• Donnoe & Associates’ staff has met with King County

subject matter experts to review the job analysis, and plan the 2013 exam process.

• Our staff has developed all questions, problem sets, and exam exercises based on 1) the job analysis, and 2) the input from these subject matter experts.

• After we develop draft exam materials, the subject matter experts assist by editing our work, selecting the best questions and problems to match the needs of the job, and providing final input on all grading criteria.

• This exam is developed and validated for this job.

Exam Outline• This promotional process will be based solely upon merit, efficiency, and

fitness; and is being conducted under the authority of the King County Civil Service Rules, and in accordance with RCW 41.14.080, as amended.

• The exam will include such elements / parts as:• Structured oral exam:

• You will respond to direct questions from raters regarding the role of a Captain in the King County Sheriff’s Office.

• You will present your qualifications for this promotional opportunity.• You can expect situational questions (i.e., how you would react to a

problem), and experiential questions which draw upon your past achievements (i.e., how you have responded to issues in the past).

• Two or more assessment exercises:• These will reflect critical skill sets necessary for the job of Captain.• These will be multi-faceted, complex problem sets.


Exam Format• Be prepared for any or all of the following formats in the

exam process:• Straightforward questions and answers.• Study of a question or problem, followed by your presentation of

your solution to raters.• A dynamic situation or problem is presented. Next you respond

with your immediate actions, decisions, and problem analysis. Then, the raters add more information and ask for your continued reaction.

• Written response to a problem or situation.• Formal oral presentation to a group of raters.• Role play with one or more people (i.e., with role players and/or

raters).• Combinations of the above, within a single exercise or problem

(e.g., present a solution orally and in writing, and answer direct questions about your approach).


Questions?


Rater Training

• Donnoe & Associates will train the raters for this exam process.

• We will remind raters to maintain professional image.

• Raters will be managed by Donnoe & Associates’ staff.

• Raters will learn:• How to fairly and impartially

administer the exam.• How to score the exam.• What questions they can and cannot

ask.• How to interact with candidates

during the process.• Latitude that they may have to ask for

clarification of a response.• How to document and validate their

ratings.


Exam Schedule• The exam process is scheduled for July 30 and 31, 2013.• Expect to be on-site for approximately 4 to 5 hours.• Candidates will be scheduled in either a morning group or an afternoon

group:– Morning group: Exam start time is 7:30 am; finish time is approximately

12:30 pm.– Afternoon group: Exam start time is 12:30 pm; finish time is

approximately 5:30 pm.– Arrive early enough to check-in, take a seat, and become familiar with your

work station for the day. • During the 4 to 5 hours, you will complete the entire exam process, and be

examined by three panels of raters.


Arrival at the Exam

• Do not bring cell phones, iPods, PDAs, laptop computers, books or notes, or resumes to the exam site – If you need something for the exam, either you will be instructed to bring it, or we will provide it for you.

• You may bring food and drinks.

CHECK-IN•There will be a formal check in process as you arrive at the exam; HRD staff will conduct check-in.


Exam Administration

• Donnoe & Associates’ staff will be present during the entire exam to work with raters and candidates.

• Our role is to ensure that the examination process is administered fairly.

• We will not hesitate to confront and dismiss from the assessment center anyone who displays inappropriate behavior, actions and demeanor.


At the ExamPREP ROOM RULES•Written directives will be posted on a bulletin board.•The “prep room” will be an all quiet room, in order to provide an environment in which each candidate can prepare, as needed, without distraction. In this regard, there will be clear rules for:

• Asking questions or the proctor.• Sign in / out of the prep room.• Taking breaks.• The exam schedule, including when time starts and stops for each part.• What you can and cannot have on your work space in the prep room.• What to do if your computer has technical problems.

•You will receive written instructions, and you will acknowledge receiving this by recording your ID Number. •We will go over the rules with you as each of the three scheduled groups begin the exam.


At the Exam, continuedEXAM ROOMS•HRD staffing will be in the testing rooms during all candidate exercises.•Donnoe & Associates’ staff will not be in the exam rooms during all candidate exercises; we will periodically check-in on the raters to determine if they need additional time, materials, or instructions.

EXAM TIMING•Clocks and/or stop watches will be used in the prep room and in each of the exam rooms for time consistency.

COMPUTER•Before the exam begins, you will have an opportunity to check your assigned computer and ensure that it is working.•You will have written directions for saving and printing documents. •HRD will create a cheat sheet for computer usage, and will assist candidates with computer problems. •HRD will ensure IT staff are available.


Exam Scoring• Donnoe & Associates will not be scoring any part of this

exam. • Raters will score all parts of the exam, including any

presentations, performances, question-and-answer sessions, and written work completed by candidates.

• Each exercise or problem set is independently scored.• The scoring criteria are validated for the Captain job in the

King County Sheriff’s Office.• This validated scoring model is called a criterion

referenced scoring process – in which each candidate is compared to the requirements of the job.

• With this scoring model, candidates are compared to job standards, but not to each other.


Preparing for the Exam• Get ready for the job, not the test!• While responding to questions, problem sets, and role-

play exercises – put yourself in the context of the job and act like a Captain! If you respond from the perspective of a Sergeant you will not score as well.

• Read important policies and procedures.• Learn what you can about the Captain job, and what

KCSO management expects of Captains.• You should be very familiar with how the job is used

throughout the King County Sheriff’s Office.


During the Exam• Carefully read all materials presented to you, including instructions

and questions.• Take the instructions and questions at face value – stick to the

question or problem and don’t make-up facts.• Monitor your use of time.• If you have a question about the process, please ask – we are here to

help you to demonstrate your qualifications for promotion.• If you have a concern or a complaint you should bring this to our

attention during the process. If there is a problem, let us know about it so it can be evaluated and possibly fixed.


Confidentiality

• All exam materials are confidential.• By participating in the exam, you are agreeing to help keep the process confidential.

• Do not tell others about your experience in the exam until all candidates have completed the entire process.


Final Questions?


Final Items• We know that this is an

important time for you. Our promise is to treat you with respect and dignity, and help you to demonstrate your qualifications.

• Good luck in the exam process.


Documents

King County Sheriff’s Office Candidate Orientation for the 2013 Captain Promotional Exam Donnoe & Associates, Inc