Description

Company Background

Industrial/Organizational Solutions (IOS) is a human resources consulting firm and test publisher headquartered in Oak Brook, IL (the western suburbs of Chicago).  IOS specializes in designing personnel selection tests/assessments and operates predominantly in the public safety market (fire, police, corrections).  We work with six of the ten largest cities in the country and with half of the top 50.  IOS consultants assist clients in highly litigious environments and routinely work with the US Department of Justice.  IOS is well-respected as a leading authority in the area of public safety testing.

Our consulting division specializes in the development, validation and implementation of assessment centers, job knowledge examinations, cognitive assessments, personality measures, situational judgment tests, performance evaluations systems, etc.

IOS is a fast-growing consulting firm that currently employs over 70 individuals who work out of our Oak Brook office.  We have a vibrant corporate culture that emphasizes camaraderie, fun and hard work, while encouraging a healthy work-family balance.

 We pride ourselves on our expertise, ingenuity, responsiveness to client needs and our hard-earned-reputation in the public-safety testing market.  We strive for professional excellence in our client work.  We are looking for intelligent, creative and highly-motivated professionals who want to be part of an energetic team that is involved in highly meaningful and rewarding work.

Position Description

The Associate Consultant position is responsible for a variety of duties within our consulting team.  This individual will report to a consulting team lead and will work with several primary consultants to assist on technical steps related to assessment development, validation, and implementation. While the primary consultant retains responsibility for the entirety of the client work, the specialist works alongside the consultant to conduct job analysis, plan, and implement the project, conduct content validation, develop tests and assessments, implement tests and assessments, prepare final data for client viewing and to complete client technical documentation.  Our Associate Consultants are also charged with managing limited scope projects as the primary contact.  

 This is a client-facing role, that has the potential for a consulting career path, based on the individual’s technical skill set and job performance.  Currently, our existing Associate Consultants conduct approximately 30% out-of-state travel.  You might expect more travel in the early stages of your employment.  

 If interested in this position, please carefully review the duties, job requirements, knowledge, and skill/ability requirements to determine if this is a good fit for you!

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Project Planning & Coordination:  Assist primary consultant in project scheduling and coordinate aspects of project regarding assessor selection/arrangements, site procurement, role-player selection/training, assessment center scheduling, etc.
• Job Analysis:  Conduct job analyses to include interviews, observations, JAQ development/analysis and job-analysis documentation—manage job analysis portion of an assessment development and validation project
• Test Development:  Work with technical writing team to develop written examination content.  Develop SJTs.  Manage client item review meetings, evaluate data from meetings and work with technical writing team members to finalize examination content
• Assessment Development:  Assist in developing structured interviews and assessment centers exercises in accordance with company protocols, client demands and industry guidelines; Develop assessment center/structured interview training and conduct training with large groups of assessors
• Assessment Implementation:  Coordinate the implementation of examinations and assessments; maintain test security and integrity—Implement assessments/tests either independently or with consulting staff members
• Data Analysis:  Analyze psychometric properties of tests and assessments; conduct complex data analysis on job analysis questionnaires, assessment instruments, etc.  Use SPSS and Excel to evaluate descriptive statistics, correlations, conduct item analyses, conduct adverse impact analyses, regression analyses and other more advanced analyses, on occasion.  Collect and evaluate content validity evidence to determine support for an assessment process. Ensure assessment data has been entered, proofed and make all relevant computations to finalize assessment data and make results ready for client needs
• Written Communication: Write technical documentation sufficient for legal inquiries and in accordance with the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures under the direction of a primary consultant
• Project Management:  Independently and simultaneously manage multiple small-scope test development and validation projects (after initial training period)
• Client Facing Responsibilities:  Assist a primary consultant with project contact/client liaison responsibilities—provide excellent customer service to meet and maintain all client needs.  Coordinate with client regarding steps in projects, as directed by the primary consultant.  Present before small and large groups (client meetings, orientations, appeal sessions, assessment administrations, etc.)
• Travel: Assist consultants with projects; travel as necessary to aid in the administration of assessment center.
• Meet the general demands of clients in a service-friendly manner, while delivering exceptional products in an error-free environment!

Requirements

Job Requirements

• A Master’s degree (at the time of application) in Industrial/Organizational Psychology is required.  
• One year of full-time work experience in a related function is highly desired (receiving preference), though not required for application purposes.
•  Experience in selection/assessment (managing and implementing selection and assessment projects—working on selection tools, process, design, validation and implementation) is strongly preferred as this is a technical and client-facing position requiring advanced knowledge and/or experience with testing & assessments!
• Ability to travel domestically (continental US) approximately 30% of the time, based on business and client needs.
• Working from our Oak Brook, IL office full-time for a minimum of 6 months. Then, a transition into a hybrid role (2 days in the office, 3 days working from home) is available at management's discretion. 

KSAs Required to Succeed

•  Advanced understanding of current I-O methods, principles, guidelines and legal principles, with a special emphasis on selection, assessment, test development, test validation, and psychometrics.
• Knowledge of job analysis, competency model development, test development, validation, and adverse impact analyses; Solid understanding of professional, ethical, and legal standards in employment testing, measurement, and selection (SIOP, APA Standards, AERA, Uniform Guidelines, OFCCP, etc.)
• Thorough understanding of statistics and psychometrics; Working knowledge of SPSS code and practical experience evaluating assessment data in SPSS
• Strong knowledge of specific target areas to include content validation methods, structured interviews and assessment centers
• Client Skills including:  Excellent interpersonal skills; Professional presence and demeanor with a strong customer service orientation; Strong oral communication skills and client presentation skills; Sales orientation
• Project Management, including:  Strong project management skill set including organization skills, planning, self-motivation, working autonomously, responsiveness to clients, etc.
• Written Skills:  Strong written communication skills needed to develop technical documentation, assessment exercises, supporting assessment documents, etc.
• Problem Solving Skills:  Highly analytical, with excellent problem solving and decision-making skills; Able to apply knowledge and expertise to client situations; Able to apply strong problem-solving skills to unique situations and evaluate potential outcomes, pitfalls, potential for problems, etc.
• Detail Orientation:  Maintain a meticulous and uncompromising attention to detail in an environment where the consequence of error is great; Ability to create processes that minimize the potential for error and evaluate existing methods and work to ensure no errors are made
• Personal Characteristics, including:  Willingness to actively shape your training, learn and grow; Highly motivated, with a desire to exceed all expectations, sustain focus and work hard; High level of responsibility over work; Thick skinned in working in highly scrutinized client testing environments; Autonomous, yet willing to fit into an existing culture/team; Humility in working on critical technical tasks, while also handling other functions expected within a small company environment.