Upcoming Class: DC Fair Housing and Predatory Lending
11 Dupont Circle, N.W.
Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20036
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Become a Tester
What is testing?
Testing is a highly controlled process for ascertaining whether a civil rights law is being violated. It is vital that no assumptions be made in advance about what a test will reveal. The process must be purely objective and free of any bias. It is a legal process by which the nature and extent of illegal discrimination can be ascertained. This process is also referred to as “auditing” or “secret shopping.”
Matched pair testing is designed to identify differences in treatment accorded to individuals who are similar in every significant respect except the variable being tested (i.e. race, national origin, or disability). This form of testing allows the ERC to measure and document differences in the quality, content, and quantity of information and services provided.
What is surveying?
Another form of testing frequently employed by the ERC is termed surveying. It involves performing numerous measurements and/or taking photos to ascertain whether a physical feature or piece of equipment is in compliance with legal requirements for providing access to people with disabilities.
When does the ERC test/survey?
Sometimes a company will engage the testing services of the ERC and work closely with the ERC to develop the testing/surveying protocol to determine how well the company and its employees, properties and equipment comply with the law. Other times, on the basis of complaints received or ERC research, the surveying and testing is performed more secretly and independently.
Who are testers?
Testers are individuals who briefly assume identities as prospective clients or applicants. They take on roles for the purpose of gathering information needed to ascertain whether illegal discrimination is occurring in a given situation. Prospective testers are carefully screened and trained. Testing hours are flexible and may be during the normal work week or on weekends. Testers act as independent contractors and are currently paid $17 per hour plus expenses incurred.
Why would I want to be a tester?
Your work is vital to what the ERC does: without testers, the ERC couldn’t learn which organizations employ discriminatory practices. Testers work on the front lines to gather the intelligence most vital to the ERC's ability to identify and fight discrimination. By phone or on site they connect with the place and the people the ERC must contact to evaluate properly compliance with the law. For individuals concerned about civil rights becoming a civil rights tester is extremely satisfying and noble work.
How can I become a tester?
To become a tester, you will have to fill out the tester pre-application form and the preliminary information form, attend required training sessions, successfully complete a practice test and provide reasonable availability for testing projects for which you are needed.
Additional training will be provided to enhance your preparedness for each assignment. It is important that a prospective tester be comfortable and convincing when playing a role/acting, and is able to follow numerous directions with precision.
To apply to become an ERC tester, please complete the tester information sheet (TIS) below, then send the completed TIS, a cover letter, and a resume to the Testing Manager, David Ambrose at dambrose@equalrightscenter.org.
If you have difficulty downloading the document, please contact David Ambrose at 202-234-3062 ext. 1107 or e-mail him at dambrose@equalrightscenter.org, requesting the TIS.