Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
6731
Job title:
Assessment Handling Assistant
Reports to:
Joan Boyle
Salary:
£17,606 - £19,743
Terms and conditions:
Support Staff
Grade:
Grade 4
Duration of post:
Permanent
Working hours:
9:00 – 5:00
Location:
Walton Hall, Milton Keynes
Closing date:
28 October 2010
Type of application form accepted:
Open University full application form, together with a
covering letter of around 1,000 words. (Please see
Section 8 – ‘Selection process and date of interview’)
Number of referees required:
Two
Unit recruitment contact:
Maggie Andrews
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January 2010
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2. Summary of duties
Brief outline of job
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
To receive daily computer printouts listing errors identified on Assignment Score
Forms (PT3 forms); to check against individual Course Team marking instructions
(marking parameters) and amend PT3s as necessary.
To answer student and tutor queries regarding Tutor Marked Assignments and
Electronic Marked Assignments TMAs/eTMAs
To investigate, approve and process revised TMA and eTMA scores using the
University in-house electronic messaging system (VOICE).
To assist in the processing of examination scores during the four examination
periods per year.
To investigate score result queries from students after examination results have
been published.
Educational standard and experience required of job holder
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
GCSE or equivalent qualification in English and Maths desirable.
IT experience and the ability to use in-house PC based systems with appropriate
training.
General clerical experience, preferably in a team environment.
Appreciation of the need for strict confidentiality to maintain high standards of
security.
Regular Duties
i.
To receive daily batched marked student score sheets (PT3 forms) with relevant
batch control printout, Error and Warning Report.
ii.
To identify and correct PT3 form errors highlighted on the Error Report using: error
correction procedures, accessing the CIRCE student database, using tutor notes
and the course team marking instructions (TMA marking parameters).
iii.
To process the corrected PT3 forms.
iv.
To return scanned PT3 forms to tutors for score correction through VOICE and
progress chase outstanding queries within 10 days.
v.
To answer queries from students and tutors on the correction of errors, mainly by
e-mail and by telephone.
vi.
To input revised score gradings and other amendments from Tutors; and advise
Students and Tutors by email/letter concerning the amendments made.
vii.
To file printouts and PT3 forms within batch numbers.
Periodic Duties
To assist with the Examination operation in a variety of tasks as and when required.
EXCEPTIONAL OR EMERGENCY DUTIES
To assist in any other appropriate duties as prescribed by the Assignment Records Office
Manager, Manager, Assignment Records or Senior Manager, Assessment Handling.
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January 2010
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3. Person specification
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
•
GCSE English or equivalent
Desirable
•
GCSE Maths or equivalent
WORK AND OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Essential
•
•
Proven clerical experience
Experience of using Microsoft Office in a work environment, including Word, Excel
and Outlook
• Good keyboard skills
Desirable
•
•
•
Experience of handling confidential data
Enthusiasm and aptitude for using different IT systems
Experience of answering complex or difficult telephone queries
PERSONAL QUALITIES AND ABILITIES
Essential
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ability to pay close attention to detail
Accuracy
Ability to work as a member of a team
Good written and oral communication skills
Ability to work under pressure and organise own work effectively
Ability to cope with routine tasks
Ability and willingness to adapt to changing working practices on demand
Manual dexterity
Desirable
•
•
•
Aptitude for problem-solving
Evidence of numeracy skills
Positive attitude and approach
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
•
•
•
Leave embargo :
Mid-October – Mid-January.
Must be willing to lift boxes and push trolleys
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January 2010
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5. About the unit/department
STUDENT SERVICES UNIT
The Student Services Unit is responsible for the provision of educational and administrative
services to students and for the recruitment, staff development and supervision of
Associate Lecturers. It is the largest Unit of the University with an annual budget of around
£60 million. More than 1,100 salaried staff and an additional 7,500 Associate Lecturer staff
are located within the Unit at:
Five central functional sub-units based at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes
The University’s 13 Regional Centres throughout the UK.
ASSESSMENT, CREDIT AND QUALIFICATIONS (ACQ) – WITHIN STUDENT SERVICES
Assessment, Credit & Qualifications is one of the five functional central sub-units in Student
Services, with staff based in Milton Keynes and in the University’s thirteen regional centres.
ACQ at the Centre (Walton Hall campus in Milton Keynes) consists of around 160 staff and
operates on an annual budget of around £11 million. The Head of ACQ is responsible to
the Director of Student Services for the leadership and management of all activity
associated with assessment, credit and awards, which currently operates across 14
locations.
EXAMINATIONS & ASSESSMENT (E&A) – WITHIN ACQ
The Examinations and Assessment Section of ACQ is situated at the Walton Hall campus in
Milton Keynes. The Section is responsible for the implementation of the University's policies and
procedures for the assessment of its students. For the majority of students course results are
determined by two components of assessment: course work (referred to as continuous
assessment) and an end of course examination. However, a growing number of courses are
assessed without an end of course examination.
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application
please contact Carol Bannon on 01908 858172 or email SS-Assessment-RecruitSandC@open.ac.uk
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Maggie
Andrews on 01908 653850 or email SS-Assessment-Recruit-SandC@open.ac.uk.
7. Where to send completed applications
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: 28 October 2010
Post it to:
Name/Job title:
Maggie Andrews, Recruitment Co-ordinator
Department/Unit: Examinations and Assessment, Student Services
Address:
Assessment, Credit and Qualifications
The Open University
Hammerwood Gate
Kents Hill
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6BY
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January 2010
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Or e-mail your application to: SS-Assessment-Recruit-SandC@open.ac.uk
8. Selection process and date of interview
Please submit a covering letter of around 1000 words. The letter should set out why you are
interested in this vacancy, and how your skills and experience meet the criteria listed in the
person specification. Applications received without a covering letter will not be considered.
The Interview Panel will be chaired by Veronica Maver, Manager (Assignment Records). The
other members of the selection panel will be Joan Boyle (Assignment Records Office
Manager) and Carol Bannon, Team Leader (Assignment Records Office).
The selection panel will consider how well the information you provide demonstrates that you
meet the criteria identified in the person specification.
The interviews will take place on 8 November 2010
The selection process for this post will include a test using a computer.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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January 2010
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