The Evaluation Process
The Evaluation Process
As a new-hire candidate with an agency partnered with Oregon First Responder Evaluations (OFRE), you will undergo a comprehensive pre-employment evaluation designed to assess your overall suitability, reliability, and readiness for the demands of a public safety role. This structured process evaluates behavioral and personality traits, decision-making ability, emotional resilience, impulse control, stress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and integrity—all of which are essential for success in high-pressure environments.
Your evaluation will include:
- A Background Review – Your evaluator will examine materials provided by the hiring agency, as well as any relevant collateral or third-party information. Please note that this information will not be available to you.
- Completion of Standardized Assessments – Two standardized and empirically validated tests will be administered to you remotely through a secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform.
- Personal History Questionnaire – You will complete a detailed self-report covering key aspects of your background and life experiences.
- A Structured Interview – This will be conducted remotely via Zoom or in person at our office in Sisters, Oregon, focusing on key job-related competencies and suitability factors.
This evaluation is not a pass/fail test but rather an in-depth assessment that provides the hiring agency with objective, evidence-based insights for your prospective role. It is an important step in ensuring that public safety professionals are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the job while maintaining high standards of professionalism, judgment, and resilience.
By the end of this process, the hiring agency will receive a comprehensive report summarizing the findings, which will help inform their final hiring decision.
What to Expect
Common Candidate Questions
What do I wear to my appointments?
Please dress for a professional appointment.
I want to know the test results and see my report! How do I get it?
In order to participate in the evaluation process, you have or will have signed a waiver of access to reports and records. Since your agency is OFRE’s client and not you, any kind of authorization from you will not permit OFRE to release or disclose the report to you or any third party. You have or will have waived all statutory rights to access any information pertaining to your evaluation, as well as your rights to access or review notes, reports, tests, analyses, or other information connected with your evaluation of your suitability for employment. Basically, you will not receive any of the information contained in the pre-employment evaluation other than the final determination (i.e., meets or does not meet emotional and/or behavioral suitability for the position offered at the agency).
Will I be automatically disqualified because I’ve seen a therapist for [insert mental health condition here]?
No.
Do I have to give my mental health provider’s information to you?
You will likely be asked to provide your mental health provider’s information and sign consent forms allowing OFRE to gather pertinent information to assess your suitability for the position and agency to which you applied. If Mary Hoisington or another qualified evaluator requests any information, it must be provided to continue and complete the evaluation process.
I’m a Veteran. Do I have to provide my VA records?
Yes, you will be required to complete and sign a form authorizing the release of your VA records directly to OFRE. This is necessary to proceed with and complete the evaluation process.
My agency informed me that I did not meet “psychological suitability” for the position I had applied for. Can you please give me feedback so I can improve myself for next time?
No. Please see the above information regarding the signed waiver of access to reports and records.