Board OKs $35,000 assessment contract with IOS for new fire division chief hiring process

The Westmont Village Board on June 11 approved a statement of work with Industrial Organizational Solutions (IOS) to design and administer testing for hiring and promotional selection in the Fire Department, including the new Division Chief—Training position.

Attorney Zack and village staff said the Fire & Police Commission will handle hiring and that IOS is a vendor the commission has used for selection testing for police hires. Staff reported the estimated cost at approximately $35,000, down from an earlier estimate near $65,000 for a broader scope; the work includes creating an assessment center and ranking candidates on an eligibility roster. "IOS develops the testing program, the assessment center that all candidates have to go through," a staff member said.

Staff described the process: the commission and fire department will advertise and collect applications; IOS will administer written and oral tests and other assessments; the commission will review the eligibility roster, select a top candidate, and that candidate will undergo final examinations (polygraph, physical) before hiring. Staff characterized the requirement for an external vendor as driven by state hiring statutes and concerns about lawful, non‑discriminatory testing methods.

Trustees thanked the commissioners and staff for work on a budget‑sensitive contract; Trustee Scales moved, Trustee Little seconded, and the board approved the statement of work by roll call.

Staff said an advertisement for the position will be published next week and the commission will set application deadlines; final hiring steps were described but not concluded at the meeting.