Technical Question Writer

Reports To:
Examinations Manager
Position SummaryReporting to the Examinations Manager, the incumbent is responsible for development, review, validation, and maintenance of high-quality examination content for professional registration or licensure of Engineers and Geoscientists in Canada.This involves working with the Professional Practice Exam Screening Committee (PPESG) in developing appropriate questions for a current, defensible, and relevant National Professional Practice Examination (NPPE) for assessing the professional, ethical, regulatory, and legal responsibilities of a practicing licensed professional for working with Canadian regulators, psychometricians, the role supports the regulator’s public protection mandate by developing appropriate assessment tools.
Responsibilities
Develop, review, validate, and maintain high-quality examination content for professional registration or licensure of Engineers and Geoscientists in Canada
Conduct research and analysis in developing new questions for the NPPE, leveraging AI assisted tools.
Conduct item analysis and make recommendations for revisions based on examination performance data
Incorporate revisions to address identified wording, structure, and alignment issues, ensuring the questions meet National Professional Practice Exam writing standards
Prepare revised drafts for PPESG review
Integrate PPESG feedback from peer review, apply final wording and formatting standards, and approve items for field testing
Translate complex technical, legal, regulatory, and ethical concepts into clear, concise, audience-appropriate language without changing the intended meaning
Interview and consult subject matter experts to gather information, verify facts, resolve content gaps, and ensure technical accuracy
Perform substantive editing, copy editing, and proofreading to improve clarity, grammar, tone, structure, consistency, and readability
Apply plain-language principles and inclusive, bias-aware writing practices while preserving the technical rigour and defensibility of examination content
Maintain consistent terminology, voice, style, and formatting across examination questions, guidance documents, templates, and related communications
Develop and maintain editorial standards, writing guidelines, templates, and reference materials that support consistent content development
Adapt content for different audiences and formats, including committee materials, training resources, reports, workflow documentation, and internal communications
Coordinate review and approval cycles, track edits and feedback, and maintain accurate version control for content moving through the development workflow
Work with APEGA staff to identify exam needs, item trends and performance
Protect NPPE question integrity by ensuring questions are handled only within secure, approved workflows
Create examination content that aligns with competency models, body-of-knowledge frameworks, and professional practice requirements
Review examination items for technical clarity, accuracy, and relevance
Research emerging trends and best practices in professional assessment, examination development, technical writing, and editorial communications
Assists the PPESG with the review and assessment of new questions developed for consideration for experimental testing questions to ensure that they are appropriate for their jurisdiction, the profession, the NPPE Blueprint and for comprehension
Ensures questions meet formatting, fairness, and participate in blueprint standards
Keep questions organized and move through the review workflow, ensuring items are moved into the appropriate bin/folder at the appropriate stage
Work with subject matter experts, committees, and external consultants to develop content
Targeted follow up where needed to manage PPESG team members capacity and momentum
Manage the PPESG volunteer group (recruiting, training, onboarding, item generation)
Provides critical feedback directly in the question comments
Project work (health of banks)
Assist with PPEC workflow and reporting (Provides stats to support monthly reporting)
Core
Exemplifying Integrity
Fostering Communication
Results Orientation
Teamwork
Functional
Attention to Detail
Creativity and Innovation
Integrated Marketing Communications
Media and Public Relations
Writing Skills
Core
Exemplifying Integrity
Fostering Communication
Results Orientation
Teamwork
Functional
Attention to Detail
Creativity and Innovation
Integrated Marketing Communications
Media and Public Relations
Writing Skills
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of communication best practices and ethics.
Proficiency in technical writing, business writing, and internal communication.
Knowledge of competency-based assessment methodologies
Understanding of psychometric concepts such as validity, reliability, and item analysis
Knowledge of how to engage subject matter experts in developing, reviewing, validating, and refining examination content aligned with exam standards and professional practice expectations
Capable of substantive and copy editing, as well as proofreading.
Working application of Canadian Press and Chicago style guides.
Training in CLEAR (Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation)
Training in Measure Learning Assessment development, including knowledge of assessment design principles, item-writing best practices, blueprint alignment, question review and validation processes, and how exam items progress through development, field testing, analysis, and final approval.
Participation in Item Writing Workshops, including knowledge of how to develop clear, defensible, blueprint-aligned exam questions and apply best practices for item structure, wording, fairness, and review.
Participant of Canadian Network of Agencies for Regulation (CNAR)
Ability to interpret and edit technical and jargon-heavy questions to fit the audience.
Able to collaborate with internal departments and subject matter experts when developing various internal and external communication materials.
Familiarity with modern website content management systems.
Excellent organization and time-management skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
Able to function with a high degree of independence and to collaborate effectively across departments.
Exceptional written communication and technical writing skills
Able to exercise sound judgement, impartiality, and attention to detail
Build collaborative relationships with diverse subject matter experts and committees
Qualifications
Post-secondary degree in communications, public relations, or journalism.
5-8 years of related experience with demonstrated knowledge of communication best practices and ethics and some experience in technical writing, business writing, and internal communication.
5+ years of experience facilitating exam programs on a national scale for professional-level jobs
Proven track record of successful project management and cross-functional collaboration
Experience working with senior leadership and managing stakeholder relationships
Experience in navigating pressure points in the workflow by remaining organized, solutions-focused, and respectful in all communications
Able to balance accuracy, confidentiality, urgency, and relationship management when coordinating exam-content development and review
Experience working with volunteer committees, subject matter experts, or advisory groups where influence, follow-up, and relationship-building are required without direct authority
Equivalencies may be considered.
Closing Date:
Until successful candidate is found
We acknowledge all candidates working in their area of expertise may build their knowledge, skills, and competencies in several ways. We welcome candidates from a breadth of backgrounds, who may have equivalent skills and competencies to the ones listed above. There may be APEGA positions posted that have specific regulatory requirements, and in keeping with those requirements, APEGA will follow the guidelines that we are bound by. All candidates are considered with the objective to enhance APEGA’s people and culture.
Thank you for your interest in APEGA.
Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted
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