SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL

PURPOSE:

To define the County's guidelines for the administration of examinations. These guidelines were created to 1) ensure the standardization of exam administration; 2) promote and ensure test security; 3) allow for testing environments free from distraction; and 4) promote positive public relations. 

LEGAL BASIS:

County Code Chapter 3.03.024 Merit Principles; which assures fair treatment of all applicants for positions in the classified service.

Civil Service Rules Section V.A. Purpose of Examinations; which mandates that examinations be used to determine minimum qualifications and relative ranking of candidates.

Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (1978) and Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration (1979); federal law which defines standards under which processes resulting in employee selection are made.

POLICY:

1. It is the policy of the County of Santa Cruz to administer examinations consistent with the standards of the profession. To attain this goal, the County Personnel Department has developed a Test Administration Manual (PER35) which covers the following topics:

   Test Administration Principles

   • Standardization
   • Test Security
   • Freedom from Distraction
   • Public Relations
   
   Test Administration Procedures
   • Preparation
   • Candidate Check-in/Seating
   • Leaving the room
   • Timing
   • Proctor Script
   • Appeal Procedures
   • Monitoring During the Exam
   • Candidate Check-out
   • Testing Disabled Candidates
   
   Test Security
   • Storage
   • Printing
   • Destruction of Materials
   • Applicant Review

   Proctor Training

   Proctor/Examinee Ratios

   Test Facilities/Sites

   Test Administration Problems

   • Talking
   • Cheating
   • Impersonation
   • Late Candidates
   • Theft
   • Incomplete/incorrect test materials
   • Other emergencies

2. The County has developed a job class of Proctor. Persons appointed to this extra-help class, receive training and are used to supplement regular staff to efficiently run the County's testing program. 

The procedure for test administration is defined in detail in the Test Administration Manual. Proctors are provided extensive training with the manual prior to being assigned to proctor an examination.