The Selection Process Before A Conditional Offer Of Employment (COE): This suitability assessment will be conducted before you are given a conditional offer of employment and is only one part of the selection process for the position you have applied for. Department representatives will use the data and findings from this pre-COE assessment together with other information such as the pre-COE background investigation or polygraph to select those who appear to be the most qualified applicants up to that point in the selection process, and they may then be given a Conditional Offer of Employment (COE).
Applicants who are extended a COE will be required to complete the remaining post job offer selection steps which usually include: (1) post-COE psychological evaluation; (2) post-COE background investigation; (3) post-COE polygraph; and (4) post-COE medical examination. Non-medical information revealed or discovered at any post-job offer selection stage that is relevant to your suitability for this position will be considered by the agency and could lead to withdrawal of the COE, or your rejection for failure to meet non-medical department standards.
The Purpose Of This Assessment: This suitability assessment which will be conducted before you are given a COE by your prospective employer is intended to assess normal range personality traits and characteristics (including but not limited to: judgement, problem solving, learning, written and oral communications, interpersonal skills, teamwork, acceptance of criticism, following rules and regulations, adaptability, dependability, initiative, self-control, assertiveness, integrity), which have been judged to be essential for successful performance in this position. It is important to note that this pre-COE suitability assessment does not assess an applicant’s “mental health” or look for any symptoms of a mental or psychological disorder or disability, or physical disability. Therefore, at this pre-COE stage you will not be asked any questions regarding: past or present psychological/psychiatric treatment; use of any medication to treat psychological or medical problems; lifetime frequency of illegal drug use/abuse; alcohol use/abuse; or any other questions that directly “lead to” the identification of a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Remember, as with any job application, you have the right to terminate the process at any time.
Confidentiality: The information and recommendation resulting from this assessment will only be shared with your prospective employer for purposes related to your possible employment at the agency you have applied to. However, if you are hired and subsequently become the subject of a fitness for duty evaluation, worker’s compensation evaluation or other medical evaluation, we will provide this application data to a qualified professional upon written request from our client, the agency.
Exceptions to this confidentiality may be required by law which include, but are not limited to child abuse, a threat of serious harm to self or other or by subpoena. Finally, in the event you sign a waiver permitting access to this information as part of your application to another public safety employer, we may release the data to the psychologist contacted by that agency.
Freedom to Decline to Participate: You have the right to decline to participate in this evaluation. However, your refusal to participate may result in your not proceeding further in the selection process.
Applicant’s Statement of Understanding and Legal Release
You agree that your electronic signature is the legal equivalent of your manual signature on this document. You consent to be legally bound by your electronic signature. You further agree that your use of a keypad, mouse, or other device to select an item, button, icon or similar act/action constitutes your signature (hereafter referred to as "E-Signature"), acceptance and agreement as if actually signed by you in writing. You also agree that no certification authority or other third-party verification is necessary to validate your E-Signature and that the lack of such certification or third-party verification will not in any way affect the enforceability of your E-Signature.