The Center for Public Administration and Public Policy at Kent State University will conduct an assessment center for community's organizations interested in ensuring that they identify and hire top quality professionals into positions of resposibility.  The exercises used during the center are tailored to each community's organization's individual needs and are designed to measure those skills and abilities required for successful on-the-job performance.

WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT CENTER?

An assessment center is one of several selection devices used to determine a candidate's qualifications for a particular supervisory or managerial position.  Individual and group exercises are administered under standardized conditions, which simulate the skills and abilities most essential for successful performance.  The candidate's behavior is observed by a team of trained assessors, qualified individuals who are familiar with the requirements of the job and the format of the assessment center.  They have been specifically trained in group and interpersonal skills, observation, and the exercises used during the center.

Assessment Center Exercises include but are not limited to:

• In-basket Exercise: This consists of a variety of memos, letters, and documents of varying importance which the candidates respond to and prioritize.
• Leaderless Group Discussion: In this exercise, candidates are given a specific problem in which they are instructed to reach a group consensus within a specified amount of time. This exercise measures qualities such as decision making, cooperation, and interpersonal skills.
• Oral Presentation Exercise: With this exercise, candidates give an oral presentation in which they must defend their positions and recommendations on a specific issue.
• Role Play Exercise: In this exercise, a candidate deals with a subordinate, irate citizen, or member of the community. This exercise measures such skills as communication, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Written Report/Analysis Exercise: With this exercise, a candidate is presented with a job-related topic and is instructed to write a report, position statement, or outline of a new policy.

WHO SHOULD USE THE ASSESSMENT CENTER?

Assessment Centers are a good alternative for any local government or nonprofit organization that feels that standard tests and oral interviews do not measure a candidate's managerial potential. Assessment centers may be used to select candidates for upper-management positions within various departments such as the Administrative, Service, Finance, or Safety Departments. The assessment center approach offers the municipality an additional dimension to the entire selection process.

ADVANTAGES TO THE ORGANIZATION 

The assessment center offers an opportunity to assess those skills that do not surface on a written test or oral interview. The assessment center rates candidates on how well they perform during job-related exercises. With the problems organizations face these days, it is important that qualified individuals are appointed to supervisory or managerial positions.

ASSESSMENT CENTER COSTS 

The fee for an assessment center provided by the Center for Public Administration and Public Policy at Kent State University is currently being revised.  If you are interested in having an assessment center done by the Center for Public Administration and Public Policy please call (330) 672-7148 and we will provide a tailored estimate.