Examination administrators and examiners, either full–time or ad hoc, are referred to as examiners.
The examination administrator (EA) is the individual responsible for administering all examinations at an examination center. Examination administrators are the primary examiners for conducting tests and are certified by NTAC. Examination administrators are accountable for all restricted test material charged to the examination center. Additionally, the administrator ensures that any employee placed in charge of an examination as an examiner is qualified, properly trained, and certified by NTAC.
The examiner serves in the absence of the administrator or provides assistance to the administrator during high–volume testing and at other times. Examiners administer and monitor exams and are accountable for restricted materials charged to them for a specific test session. These employees must successfully complete examiner training (see 315.61, Examiner Training). Before examiners can conduct examinations, NTAC must certify and issue them an examiner’s certificate.
Monitors assist examiners before, during, and after the administration of an examination. Monitors do not administer examinations. Monitors are used solely to help set up the examination room, admit applicants, check gridding, hand out test materials during the examination, etc. These employees must successfully complete examination procedures training given by examination administrators (see 315.62, Monitor Training) before serving as a monitor. Since NTAC does not certify monitors, examination administrators should maintain a current listing of trained monitors to assist in examinations as necessary.
Examiners report functionally to NTAC, from which they receive technical directions and guidance for Postal Service examining processes. Examiners are administratively responsible to their respective installation head or designee. This includes proper execution of directives issued by NTAC.
At least one examiner must be present at all times during test administration. It is advisable to have another examiner readily available and on call for any emergency that may arise. In most instances, the following ratio of examiner to monitors should be observed to minimize the possibility of test compromise.
There may be times when, due to the facilities used or other unusual circumstances, this ratio may not be practical. Examiners must use their own judgment as to the number of monitors needed during testing. There must always be enough monitors to constantly observe all applicants.
Examiners, monitors, and Automotive Mechanic Performance Test examiners must meet the following training requirements.
Examiners must meet the following training requirements:
- Examiners are required to be thoroughly familiar with the instructions in this chapter as well as Chapter 3 of Handbook EL–307, Reasonable Accommodation, An Interactive Process, and they must complete Examinations Self–Instructional Guide, course #21560–02, available from NTAC.
- Inexperienced examiners must serve as assistants (monitors) until the examiner is satisfied that they are ready to assume the full range of examination duties. Examiners should rotate personnel in conducting exams so that all personnel will be fully knowledgeable.
Monitors must meet the following requirements:
- Monitors are required to be thoroughly familiar with sections 325, Admission to Examination Room, and 325, Admission to Examination Room, of this chapter, and should complete portions of course #21560–02 according to instructions from the examination administrator.
- The examination administrator is responsible for ensuring that monitors are thoroughly trained.
Only those examiners with the requisite automotive mechanical background and who have been trained and certified to conduct this particular performance test may administer the Automotive Mechanic Performance Test.
Bargaining examiner positions are filled on the basis of senior qualified as specified in the National Agreement. Examination administrators are selected in accordance with procedures (see 74, Nonbargaining Positions). Districts nominate successful examiner applicants to NTAC for certification. NTAC only issues certificates to those employees who meet the requirements. Only those examiners certified by NTAC may administer an examination.
The examination center’s manager must ensure that a sufficient number of trained examiners and monitors are available to meet testing needs. The primary examiner must consult with the human resources manager before an examination is scheduled to allow time to properly plan and coordinate preliminary arrangements. If applicable, the examination center manager must make arrangements for examination personnel replacements or for rearranging work assignments.
The following restrictions on the use of examination personnel apply:
- No examiner or monitor may take part in any examination in which a relative is scheduled to take the examination. To avoid any criticism, the examination administrator must carefully check with the other personnel assigned to examine or monitor an examination to ensure that this rule is observed.
- Examiners or monitors can administer inservice as well as entrance examinations, as long as they are not and will not become eligible or have need to take the examination (see 33, Inservice Examination Process).
- Examiners must not participate in workshops that familiarize applicants with taking a postal examination.
