Assistant Director - Testing Services

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26455 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Mary Kate McCarney

marykate.mccarney@montana.edu

406-994-6984

Classification Title Program Mgr Working Title Assistant Director - Testing Services Brief Position Overview

University Testing Services administers a wide range of academic and professional certification exams for MSU students and the public, supporting 4,000 examinees and 400 faculty members each year. The Assistant Director exercises independent authority and judgment to provide test center leadership, staff supervision, and problem solving in a dynamic, high-stakes environment. This unique role offers many meaningful opportunities to make immediate positive impact in our community by facilitating assessments that advance careers, support student success, and uphold the university’s mission of academic excellence and access.

Position Number 4M1354 Department University Testing Services Division Office of Academic Affairs Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary range of $28.38 to $30.48 hourly, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

University Testing Services is a very interactive, high traffic, client-oriented service unit that requires staff supervision for all exam events. The Assistant Director plays a leadership role within a small, versatile team and must be dependable, resourceful and able to closely collaborate to ensure continuity and quality of services.

Reporting to and working as a collaborative leader with the Director, the Assistant Director will:

• Supervise and support permanent and student staff
• Provide direct service for students, faculty, companion units (e.g., disability services, exam companies), and the public
• Ensure compliance with secure and unbiased test site protocol, developing and sharing expertise on all services and functions
• Serve as the escalation point and respond effectively to conflicts/crises/irregularities
• Complete business management, communications, outreach, and administrative tasks
• Use technology assets extensively and expertly
• Engage in strategic and capacity planning with campus-wide impact.
  
  

In the Director’s absence, the Assistant Director acts as the Chief Examiner and will obtain and maintain all certifications required to supervise and administer exams.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Humanize the testing experience for a range of examinees by respecting confidentiality, providing service excellence, and adhering to high quality standards established by the National College Testing Association
• Oversee daily test center operations and staff coverage, serving as the primary “front-of-house” supervisor and escalation point
• Troubleshoot, problem solve and make decisions; issues are often highly time-sensitive and carry significant consequences
• Hire, schedule, on/off-board, conduct performance management, goal setting, task delegation, etc. for permanent and student employees
• Manage complex logistics, calendaring, and communication channels to ensure smooth scheduling, administration and monitoring of exams
• Collaborate intentionally with Disability Services and MSU faculty around best practices for disability accommodations and academic testing
• Ensure institutional compliance with secure test site protocol and be prepared for random site audits by professional licensure/certification organizations and exam vendors
• Obtain and maintain certification to supervise and administer national testing programs
• Assist with facility and operations management tasks such as procurement, budgeting and work control and use academic advising (Degreeworks, NavMSU) and IT tools
• Develop procedures, communications, training tools and documentation
• Collect, compile, analyze and maintain data and actively participate in annual program assessment and reporting activities
• Identify and pursue professional development opportunities for self and for staff
  
  

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Successful experience supporting and supervising staff in a customer-oriented environment
• Experience collecting, reporting, and interpreting data using strong analytical skills
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience learning and adapting to new technologies quickly and confidently
• Experience developing, interpreting, explaining, and applying policies and procedures to a varied group of individuals and in novel situations
  
  

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree
• Knowledge of exam programs and procedures
• Experience working with people with disabilities
• Experience providing student and/or faculty support in a higher education setting
• A record of progressively responsible work experience as a program, operations, information technology, or business manager
  
  

The Successful Candidate Will

• Provide evidence of strong decision-making skills and initiative in a leadership role with personal energy, integrity and vision.
• Exercise effective leadership to mentor staff success in a vibrant and demanding environment.
• Provide exceptional client service in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with frequent interruptions while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrate excellent situational awareness, focus and observational skills.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and interact in a positive and confident manner with a variety of groups including students, faculty, vendors and staff.
• Demonstrate competence in developing, interpreting, applying, and effectively communicating detailed information, policies and procedures, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of individuals in a diplomatic and consistent manner while maintaining confidentiality, compliance, and kindness.
• Promote calm and confidence in high-stakes situations demonstrating the ability to work well under pressure and respond to potential conflicts/crises with sound judgement.
• Be a creative problem solver who can also handle practical details and respond constructively to coaching from coworkers, supervisors, and external auditors.
• Use technology assets extensively and expertly.
• Independently organize and prioritize multiple work priorities for self and staff.
• Foster a workplace culture of assessment and continual improvement.
  
  

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

• Certification to administer some tests is required; periodic re-certification is necessary. Training and support will be provided.
• Coverage for evening and/or weekend test administration or preparation activities may be required on a limited basis and will be scheduled in advance. Non-standard work hours are shared among staff and will be discussed and determined in advance.
  
  

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

This position is located indoors in a busy, often fast-paced, and occasionally unpredictable office environment. Need the ability to work for long periods of time in an open/shared space with many interruptions including unexpected noises and people. Extensive computer and telephone use required. Extensive in-person interaction with the public required. Will use household-grade cleaning supplies with optional PPE provided.

The test center and its location in Renne Library are ADA accessible. A public elevator is located in the lobby. Accessible and single-user restrooms are nearby on the same floor or in the same building. This is a fragrance-free office, and we follow casual, but neat and non-distracting, dress code. Testing Services staff will abide public health and safety requirements as set by the university.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed in this description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

Posting Detail Information

Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be

Screening of applications will begin on July 8th; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
  
  

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).