Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 38, September 20, 2024
7.1.
Competency tests are used to determine the qualifications of new applicants
seeking initial employment in a classification as either a regular or
substitute employee or an existing employee applying for employment in another
classification (W. Va. Code §
18A-4-8e).
These tests shall not be used to evaluate currently classified
employees.
7.2. The county must use
the state-approved competency test in its entirety with no additions to the
test. Counties are not permitted to require additional testing for
classifications or use county-developed tests. Counties may consider
job-related factors in addition to the statutory qualification, if necessary,
for the successful performance of the posted vacancy.
7.3. Competency tests are based on
classifications and include a combination of written and performance tests. The
written test provides the county with the applicant's knowledge of the
classification's job duties and responsibilities. The performance test
demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform tasks related to the
classification.
7.4. Competency
tests align with the classification definition in W. Va. Code §
18A-4-8
and section 5.
7.4.a. For multiclassified
positions, the applicant must be able to pass all relevant competency
tests.
7.4.b. CTE students who
complete a program of study that aligns to a service personnel classification
may take the competency test. The CTE administrator should schedule testing
with the county.
7.5. A
valid license/certificate from a reputable agency or institution is also
acceptable for certain classifications as found in the WVDE's Service Personnel
Manual located on the WVDE's website. Applicants holding a valid
license/certification in certain classifications are not required to take a
competency test.
7.6. Competency
Testing Process.
7.6.a. All counties and
multi-county CTE centers shall designate a person to fill this role. The test
administrator, designee, test reader, and/or the performance test evaluator
shall sign a test security agreement as indicated by the WVDE before testing
materials are released or testing can occur.
7.6.a.1. The county test administrator cannot
administer the performance test for bus operator classification. For
information on bus operator competency testing and/or professional learning,
see W. Va. 126CSR92, Policy 4336, West Virginia School Bus Transportation
Regulations, Procedures, and Specifications for The Design and Equipment of
School Buses.
7.6.b.
Competency tests shall be administered to all applicants who are interested in
the posted vacancy. Testing shall occur in a uniform manner under uniform
testing conditions. Counties shall notify all applicants of the date, time, and
location of the competency test. If the applicant is a county employee whose
schedule conflicts with the date and time of the test, then the applicant is
excused from work without loss of pay to test (W. Va. Code §
18A-4-8e).
A county may allow an alternative testing date which must be open to all
applicants.
7.6.c. Applicants must
provide documentation to prove their identity and that they meet W. Va. Code
§
18A-2-5
by either holding a high school diploma or equivalent or are enrolled in a
state-approved high school equivalency program by the date of employment.
Employment is contingent upon the applicant's continued enrollment or
successful completion of said program.
7.6.d. The written competency test will be
administered using an online testing platform.
7.6.e. If requested, an applicant may take
the written test orally. The testing platform will read the written competency
test to the applicant. Applicants will use the testing platform to record their
responses.
7.6.f. If applicants
have any disabilities that prevent them from taking the test in its original
format and setting, then reasonable accommodations should be made as long as
the integrity of the test is maintained. Refer to the WVDE's Service Personnel
Manual located on the WVDE's website for guidance on reasonable
accommodations.
7.6.g. The test
administrator shall maintain a record of what test was administered; who
administered the test; the location, date, and time of the test; and the name,
address, and phone number of each tested applicant.
7.6.h. The written competency tests will be
scored by the testing platform.
7.6.i. If the test administrator is not
qualified to evaluate the performance competency test, then the test
administrator will appoint an evaluator. The performance test evaluator must be
a qualified county employee who has signed a test security agreement. The
performance test evaluator or test administrator shall enter the performance
test results into the testing platform.
7.6.j. Applicants will receive their scores
from each written and/or performance test completed.
7.6.j.1. Achieving a passing score shall
conclusively demonstrate the qualifications of an applicant for a
classification title. Once an applicant has passed the competency test for a
classification title, that applicant maintains the classification title.
7.6.j.1.A. Applicants will receive a
certificate verifying that they completed and passed the classification
competency test. If the applicant is hired, then a copy of the certificate
should be maintained in the employee's personnel file.
7.6.j.2. If an applicant does not achieve a
passing score, then the applicant shall be given every opportunity to pass the
competency test when applying for each posted vacancy within the
classification. If the applicant previously passed the written and/or portions
of the performance test, then the applicant is only required to take the
portion of the test not passed.
7.6.j.2.A. No
specific test questions may be shared, but applicants may be told that they did
not pass the written test. If there is a performance test, then the applicant
may be told what section of the performance test was not passed.
7.6.k. In the event an
applicant has already completed/passed a competency test, the applicant must
provide a copy of the certificate and the county shall verify the
certificate.
