"Profiling"
the Position --
The Validation Process
The
first step in creating your unique examination is the
validation process. This involves conducting a job task
analysis of role incumbents to obtain a “profile”
of the position being tested. Incumbents rate the frequency
with which they perform the tasks, as well as the comparative
criticality of the tasks they perform. This process leads
to the identification of the core tasks of the position.
In addition, supervisory/managerial dimensions important
for job success are surveyed.
Example
of Task Statements and Frequency/Seriousness Scale:
Management
of Subordinates
The following tasks are those that are performed by
law enforcement middle managers. On the answer sheet,
rate each statement according to the following scale:
Frequency and criticality of task performance by police
middle managers
-
I
rarely, if ever, perform this task.
-
This
task is performed by me daily and the consequences
of failing to perform it correctly are minimal.
-
This
task is performed by me at least monthly and the
consequences of failing to perform it correctly
are disastrous.
Task Statements
-
Communicate
orally with subordinates.
-
Counsel
subordinates for stress, alcohol/drug abuse, family,
or financial problems.
-
Invoke
department disciplinary rules.
Example
of Supervisory/Managerial Dimensions
(Example)
The following is a list of supervisory and managerial
attributes that might be important in performing your
job. For the rank and position you currently hold, select
twelve attributes which you believe are the most important
for successful performance of the position. Then, for
each of the marked dimensions, rank the twelve you selected
as to their relative importance for the successful performance
of the position. The most important position should
receive a “1,” the next most important a
“2,” and so on. Please rank only the twelve
dimensions you selected; leave the others blank.
Judgment – Developing alternative sources
of action and making decisions based on logical assumptions
that reflect factual information.
Problem Analysis – Ability to gather
relevant information and to correctly identify sources
of problems and relationships among problem elements
through conceptualization skills and logical thought.
(and
so on for 25 total dimensions)
The
Job Task Analysis
