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:
6689
Job title:
Assessment Handling Assistant
Reports to:
Assignment Handling Office Manager
Salary:
£17,606 - £19,743
Terms and conditions:
Support Staff
Grade:
G4
Duration of post:
Permanent
Working hours:
37 Hours
Location:
Walton Hall, Milton Keynes
Closing date:
11 November 2010
Type of application form accepted:
Open University full application form, together with a
covering letter of around 1000 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
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To receive assignments from tutors.
To check and process the PT3 forms.
To return a copy of the PT3 together with the assignment to the student.
To forward copies of the PT3 forms to Data Processing.
To assist in the tutor monitoring system, using both manual and pc based systems.
To assist in the processing of examination scripts during the end of year operation
and, possibly, the mid-year operation.
To assist in dealing with result queries from students after the examination
period(s).
To provide cover for the Secretarial Support Desk as required by instruction
from the Office Manager, Assignment Handling Office.
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Educational standard and experience required of job holder
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GCSE or equivalent qualification in English desirable.
The ability to use PC based systems with appropriate training.
General clerical experience, preferably in a team environment. Discretion is
necessary due to confidentiality of work.
Duties relating to tutor marked assignments
i.
Open envelopes containing tutor-marked assignments and accompanying PT3
forms. Check validity and completeness of data. Check records via PC. Consult
with Team Coordinator on appropriate action where discrepancies occur. Split set
of PT3 forms and distribute to Data Processing; Student (plus script); Tutor (if
received in error).
Check TMA scripts against tutor monitoring requirements. Select and record
monitoring and arrange for photocopying. Update tutor records accordingly.
Assist in implementing the various requests from individual course teams to
process a particular course's assignments outside the normal operational
framework.
Deal with student queries related to their TMA turnaround.
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Duties relating to examination script handling
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Receipt and checking of unmarked examination scripts.
Prepare and pack scripts for despatch to scriptmarker.
Process desk records for absent students.
Receive marked scripts from scriptmarker and process desk records for keying
by Data Prep.
Select and despatch samples as required to monitors and members of
Examination and Assessment Boards.
Check computer output of scores and file desk records.
Prepare examinations scripts for presentation to Examination and Assessment
Board and archive them on return.
Assist the team leader in solving queries and monitoring progress of
scriptmarkers, if necessary, act as Team deputy during the handling operation.
Help supervise temporary staff.
Assist in the clerical support for monitoring, re-marking and re-scoring of
examination scripts.
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January 2010
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Course result queries
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Assist in logging queries from students.
Complete paperwork for presentation of queries to administrator.
Despatch replies and file correspondence.
Exceptional or deputisation duties
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ii.
To carry out other duties appropriate to the level of the post as required, when
directed to do so by the Office Manager Assignment Handling Office.
To provide Secretarial Support Desk cover as requested by the Office Manager
Assignment Handling Office.
3. Person specification
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
•
GCSE English or equivalent
Desirable
•
GCSE Maths or equivalent
WORK AND OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Essential
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Relevant clerical experience
Experience of using Microsoft Office in a work environment, including Word, Excel
and Outlook
Desirable
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Experience of handling confidential data
Good keyboard skills
Enthusiasm and aptitude for using different IT systems
Experience of answering complex or difficult telephone queries
PERSONAL QUALITIES AND ABILITIES
Essential
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Ability to pay close attention to detail
Accuracy
Ability to work as a member of a team
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
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January 2010
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Desirable
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Aptitude for problem-solving
Evidence of numeracy skills
Positive attitude and approach
OTHER
Essential
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Leave embargo : October – December
Must be willing to lift boxes and push trolleys
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
The post is based at Walton Hall and the postholder is expected to work the normal Monday to
Friday working week.
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 qualifications, 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.
Around 100 members of staff are involved in the operation of continuous assessment
(including assignment handling and monitoring), examinations and other assessment
methods (e.g. projects), in accordance with agreed policies. The area also covers the coordination, planning and decision making processes regarding assessment and support to
Examination & Assessment Boards (for the course results operation).
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January 2010
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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 Sally Black on 01908 658346
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: 11 November 2010
Post it to:
Name/Job title:
Maggie Andrews, Recruitment Co-ordinator
Department/Unit: Examinations and Assessment, Student Services
Address:
Assessment, Credit and Qualifications
Address:
The Open University
Hammerwood Gate
Kents Hill
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6BY
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 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 w/c 22 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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