[Dwopcert] ABC seeking Job Task Analysis Survery Volunteers

Wed Dec 8 16:36:15 MST 2010

  <http://r20.rs6.net/on.jsp?llr=noe9fycab&t=1103963658973.0.1102470517197.28&ts=S0562&o=http://ui.constantcontact.com/images/p1x1.gif> 

Dear ABC Members, Stakeholders & Volunteers: 

The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) is requesting your assistance with the 2010 Job Task Analysis (JTA) surveys for Water Treatment, Distribution, Wastewater Treatment and Collection Operators. The JTA surveys are a critical step in developing new and legally validated standardized certification exams that will be released for use by ABC's Testing Clients in 2011. Broad participation is needed from all stakeholders including operators, regulators, utility managers, certification board members, municipal managers, and retired personnel.

The JTA survey provides a unique opportunity for first-hand participation in determining the subject matter that will be included in ABC's certification exams. Your participation is critical to the success of the exam development process and the ongoing sustainability of a competent work force. Over the past months we have underscored to ABC's members and stakeholders the need for involvement from diverse participants, specifically line-level operators. 

This JTA survey will establish the foundation of a new exam blueprint for ABC's next generation of standardized certification exams that will be in full compliance with the ANSI/ISO 17024 standard. ABC's Board and staff are dedicated to committing whatever resources are necessary to provide its Testing Clients with certification exams that are held to the highest industry standards. This is impossible to accomplish without broad participation in the JTA survey and ABC is looking to you, not only as a participant but also by passing this along to operators and others within your field of influence.

To further encourage participation, ABC is offering two hours of Continuing Education credit for each participant who completes the JTA survey. The JTA surveys can be accessed directly at the following links: 

Water Treatment: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ABCwto <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=noe9fycab&et=1103963658973&s=28&e=001TrslvXz__v-iv_XjMGoqHtgMEcSPnAnlx_K07uMGr1Z8IZtr0RyeNDH2JbIY1M1Eb33LWDKkWV1bDRB06HpiMLD6Il5KAg9S7A7Vn-Wsogx-H4jFinxLUyLZD4AFtUbi> 

Distribution: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ABCwdo <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=noe9fycab&et=1103963658973&s=28&e=001TrslvXz__v9m7dG31Q3FFF72a65yAdjxO6thNZjSV9Er_PKUbjt-D_U7ReZb_mt7dsDWcDC1DJ0openUwaNnLfi5YISUDA25SYzFugAwJGcgBWD4K9XfjOAJK45UeGFJ> 

Wastewater Treatment: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ABCwwto <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=noe9fycab&et=1103963658973&s=28&e=001TrslvXz__v_mcc4UxxXruo3LGys8YYF2knRYuZRqLbpfdzoK0vcPZ6OvwbyhiCwHANwSgy8e_6pfbSp2EXgRsqSu5Htfav4F2EhyiatcSo6pHMjV4ksJ5h2pinhUKI1D> 

Collection:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ABCwwco <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=noe9fycab&et=1103963658973&s=28&e=001TrslvXz__v_Xit2t6k3E-o0bMXNUygyP4sIbGAtOPJPPqDkrfs2mD-brgJy6ywfxVzyT8EzgOiKyTYBV9Lz8y6xRHasRlCJp2deExonhLJTxlYVRc9Q0pD2dmpXgK4Ys>  

The surveys will remain open until Dec. 23, 2010. We thank you for your time and consideration of our request and look forward to working with you to better the environmental profession. The following Q&A discusses upcoming steps of ABC's continued focus on its Testing Services. 

Why is this so important?

These reviews and the creation of accredited certification programs and exams will enable our members and testing clients to have direct participation and continued confidence in the services and products offered by ABC. The psychometric enhancements being phased in to ABC's Testing Service and the development of member-driven industry best practices not only strengthen ABC, but more importantly the programs of our members.   

How can I participate in the JTA's?

To view more information on the surveys, visit www.abccert.org <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=noe9fycab&et=1103963658973&s=28&e=001TrslvXz__v9Wi6kwjLxlRpijkfWQtjcrerBk0ND3TVDAsE7X-K7W_g9w57ZwAfHA9fH3CskiniIzT4EpA3_7K3WurNnWRxMrofmFvo21M6qL1btNVupqiwE2k7M6Nflm> , or click on the links found above. The surveys will remain open until Dec. 23, 2010.  The survey is open to all stakeholders, including operators, engineers, regulators, utility managers, certification board members, municipal managers, and retired personnel. 

Why are we conducting revalidation surveys? 

After the Board of Directors reviewed the results of a spring 2010 third-party psychometric audit, it was determined that revalidation surveys will strengthen our testing service and ultimately better prepare us to obtain accreditation in compliance with the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 certification standard. (To learn more about the ANSI certification standard, see the Exam Development Series in the December Certifier being released on December 15th). 

The Job Task Analyses used to develop ABC's Need-to-Know Criteria  and exam blueprint serve as the foundation for the ABC standardized exams, and our staff partnership with Professional Testing's lead psychometricians raises the bar for ABC's exam development process and ensures  ABC is offering our members the best possible product. 

Who developed the JTA surveys and how were they developed?  

The JTA surveys were developed by ABC's Validation & Examination (V&E) Committees in partnership with Professional Testing, Inc. The purpose of the revalidation is in first part to make sure that the exam blueprint reflect what stakeholders have indicated, and in second part, to create a documentation trail to show where the foundation for the examinations came from. 

A definite ANSI requirement, in order to support the validity of the examinations, ABC must be able to clearly demonstrate the link between what Operators are reporting in the JTA and the exam content. Revalidation is a typical process for mature certification programs. 

When the JTAs are returned, how are the NTK and exam specifications (or exam blueprint) developed? 

The exam blueprint is developed based on the results of the survey process. In the survey, job incumbents are asked how often they perform each task and how important the task is. The ratings are combined mathematically to calculate a "criticality index" which is typically based on multiplying the frequency and importance ratings. 

Once the index is developed, weights will be recommended for each of the content areas on the exam, usually based on proportionally distributing the criticality. These weights are recommendations from Professional Testing, which will be presented to the V&E committees who will be asked to evaluate whether they are reasonable or whether adjustments are needed. 

What is the process model that the V&E committees will be using in January for exam development?

Following an exam development orientation, Professional Testing will work with each V&E committee to review draft forms selected from the existing item banks. As the committees review each exam form, they will be asked to verify the correct classification of the items - based on the new blueprint requirements. Combining high-level psychometric expertise with input from ABC's subject matter experts who represent the full breadth and scope of the industry is another critical factor in meeting ANSI requirements. 

<http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=0015pJ4gwr1mRzUWm3z8F5m6w%3D%3D&se=001GUUlH_2FTBo%3D&t=001X7JPGI2Vb76AvMrzAvOwUg%3D%3D&l=001FCSs65SMrsI%3D&llr=noe9fycab>  	 <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=custom01>  	

**********************************************************************
NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.azdeq.gov/pipermail/dwopcert/attachments/20101208/a28f6d06/attachment.html>