Job Information
MTA Senior Manager Talent Assessment in New York, New York
Senior Manager Talent Assessment
Job ID: 7896
Business Unit: MTA Headquarters
Location: New York, NY, United States
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Department: Workforce Testing
Date Posted: Jul 1, 2024
Description
JOB TITLE : Senior Manager, Talent Assessment
SALARY RANGE : $100,000 to $108,003
HAY POINTS : 634
DEPT/DIV: PEOPLE
SUPERVISOR : Deputy Chief, Policy, and Special Projects
LOCATION : Graybar Building - 420 Lexington Avenue
HOURS OF WORK : 9:00 am - 5:00pm
This position is eligible for telework which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.
SUMMARY : The Senior Manager of Talent Assessment is a member of the People Team responsible for managing a Testing agenda that supports the selection and promotion of employees.
The incumbent will oversee a team tasked with developing, validating, administering, and evaluating diverse pre-employment testing programs to fulfill the organization's requirements. Collaborating with stakeholders across the agency, including business unit management, Labor, Legal, Diversity, and the broader People team, this role will ensure alignment with organizational objectives. Additionally, the position entails identifying best practices and implementing standardized procedures across all agencies.
RESPONSIBILITIES :
Test Development and Standardization: Manages a team of test development specialists in the creation of selection and promotion assessments, including written, practical skills, physical abilities, managerial pre-screening, computer skills, structured interviews, etc., to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities. Develops procedures and standardizes criteria for such activities.
Leadership in Test Development: Oversees test development at both Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Railroad. Works with departments to develop exams for job titles that are in line with the needs of the department and the operation. Implements selection and promotion exams to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities. Develops and administers surveys and analyzes resulting survey data. Develops and implements assessment techniques for management including written tests, practical tests, Education & Experience tests, computer skill and software knowledge testing, English language assessments, etc.
Strategic Planning and Project Management: Collaborates with Agency partners, business units, and Talent Acquisition groups to devise and execute testing strategies aimed at enhancing current processes. Analyzes trends in testing, offering innovative ideas to improve testing methodologies. Implements industry best practices to optimize testing procedures.
Electronic Testing Oversight: Manages the seamless transition of exam administration from traditional pencil-and-paper methods to electronic platforms, overseeing the implementation and management of electronic exams. Leads efforts to automate diverse exam formats and structured interviews.
Vendor Management: Drives comprehensive vendor management strategies, procuring advanced electronic testing solutions while prioritizing confidentiality. Establishes centralized database systems for efficient data management and retrieval. Optimizes scheduling processes to improve overall efficiency within the testing environment.
Technical Expertise and Training: Provides psychometrics and exam development expertise to organizational teams. Conducts training sessions for staff on job analyses, surveys, and test administration. Offers specialized training on electronic testing methodologies.
Test Administration Management: Manages the physical administration of small- and large-scale examinations, including applicant qualification, application review, and coordination of testing fees. Ensures adherence to testing protocols and standards.
Legal Compliance and Review: Collaborates with legal teams to develop operational procedures and memos, ensuring alignment with legal standards. Contributes to continuous improvement through thorough legal review and insights.
Post-Testing Processes: Manages post-testing procedures, including test statistics analysis, validation, notifications, and maintenance of records. Evaluates appeals and institutes necessary changes based on performance analysis.
Operational Management: Oversees the testing department's operation, budget, and staff. Upholds agency principles, policies, and programs.
Training and Development Responsibilities: Facilitate comprehensive training sessions for staff to impart the necessary skills and knowledge on conducting meticulous job analyses, surveys, and proficient test administration. Additionally, provide specialized training to Employment Testing Unit, equipping them with best practices for the seamless implementation of electronic testing methodologies, ensuring efficiency and accuracy across testing processes.
Performance Management and Development: Engages in the development and motivation of team members, fostering career growth opportunities and providing prompt, effective coaching, and counseling as needed. Conducts regular performance reviews to assess staff progress and ensure alignment with organizational objectives. Cultivates a professional environment that values individual differences, enabling all employees to thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.
Employee Relations: Creates and maintains a professional working environment that respects individual differences, enables all employees to develop and contribute to their full potential, and fosters a positive employee relations climate that ensures MTA principles, policies and programs are consistently practiced.
Other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Ensuring that examinations and job analyses are developed to accurately reflect the relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities to maintain an effective and competent workforce.
Developing and administering written, practical, and physical abilities tests under tight deadlines for critical and, at times, hard to fill operating titles with limited resources.
Maintaining processes that ensure tests are fair, valid, and reliable.
Has moderate level of authority for the decision making, staffing, and budget for their functional area of responsibility, subject to approval regarding the most significant Business and Policy issues by the Chief / Senior Management. Decision-making authority over their functional area of responsibility is somewhat defined with the freedom to determine how to accomplish work goals. Guided by substantially diversified procedures and specialized standards.
Makes recommendations for policy and procedural changes with final approval from departmental management and supports implementation of such changes.
Provides input into overall strategy and approach in consultation with departmental management and/or HQ Senior Management.
INTERNAL – Deputy Chief, Policy and Special Projects, Agency HR Partners, Training, Budget, operating departments, OHS, Labor Relations, Legal, IT, and other areas within the People organization .
EXTERNAL –
Various City and State Agencies, vendors, and contractors
COMPETENCIES:
- Strong knowledge of test development and administration including test question design & validation and statistical analysis, such as standard deviation and correlations to performance and content validity.
• Strong analytical skills necessary for performing detailed job analyses and the creation of test questions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with all internal levels within a given organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact well with external agencies. External agencies may include the Governor’s Office for New York State, New York City government, elected and other public officials, as well as any staff located at other federal or state agencies or authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-profile, high-pressure environment effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key internal and/or external stakeholders.
• Must have strong managerial skills to effectively direct a staff of professional and technical employees in implementing the short- and long-term goals and direction for the area of responsibility.
• Strong project management skills. Demonstrated ability to complete short- and long-term projects effectively and as efficiently as possible.
• Demonstrated analytical capabilities and quantitative skills.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE : REQUIRED:Bachelor’s degree in industrial & organizational psychology, Human Resources Psychometrics or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from an accredited college may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Minimum 8 years related experience, including at least 4 years in a managerial and/or leadership role in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization or governmental body preferred.
PREFERRED:Master’s degree in a related field.
Prior experience working in a large, multi-faceted, fast-paced organization or governmental body.
Familiarity with the MTA’s policies and procedures.
Familiarity with the MTA’s collective bargaining procedures.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).
Equal Employment Opportunity
MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.
The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.