New York State Department of Civil Service Announces Open-Competitive Examination Open to the Public

Security Officer

* Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,688 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $901 annual Mid-Hudson Adjustment.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before March 28, 2015, you must have a New York State Security Guard Registration Number or a current Security Guard Photo ID issued by the New York State Department of State. You must enter the Registration Number or ID Number on your application. In addition you must also have:

Either 1. six months of post-Security Guard Registration experience as a Security Guard;

Or 2. six months of experience as a police officer or peace officer;

Or 3. six months of active service and an Honorable Discharge from the United States military where you performed security duties on a United States military base or vessel. Security duties on a United States military base or vessel include working as military police or as security personnel performing foot and motorized patrol, control of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, flight line security, and crime prevention/physical security.

Notes

1. The written test will be held in English. If you pass and are considered for appointment to Security Officer (Spanish Language), you will be required to demonstrate your Spanish language proficiency at a level that will ensure your ability to perform properly the duties of the position.
2. Continued employment as a Security Officer or Security Officer (Spanish Language) is dependent upon maintaining a current Security Guard Photo ID issued by the NYS Department of State. Failure to maintain this ID will result in removal from employment.
3. Some positions located in New York City require that appointees meet the requirements for deputization as a Special Patrolman, as described in Title 38, Chapter 13 of the New York City Rules.
4. Important: As the processing fee is non-refundable, verify that you entered the correct examination number and title on your online or paper application prior to submitting. If you apply online, you should immediately review your email confirmation notice to verify that you applied for the correct examination. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT received by the Department of Civil Service. No late applications will be accepted after the filing deadline has passed.
5. If you submit an application for No. 25-835 Security Officer (Spanish Language), an application will automatically be submitted for you for No. 25-834 Security Officer at no additional cost.
6. Travel Requirements: Appointment to certain positions requires extensive travel within a designated area of assignment. Appointees to these positions may be required to operate a motor vehicle or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job. If the position requires that you operate a motor vehicle, you must possess a driver's license valid in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter. Field work and travel expenses are reimbursed on a fixed schedule.
7. Physical/Medical Requirements: Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available. A medical examination will be required prior to appointment, and you are responsible for payment of the clinical laboratory test fee. Appointees to this position may be required to undergo periodic medical examinations to reassess their ability to perform the essential duties of the position.
8. Background Investigation: Because of the nature of the position there is an investigative screening that may include a thorough character investigation. All convictions must be reported. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor or any falsified or omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.
9. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
10. New York State residence is not required.
11. At the Department of Health, these positions may be exposed to potentially hazardous substances. Security Officers are scheduled for yearly TB testing.

The Positions

These positions exist in the following agencies and the vacancies are as follows: State Education Department: Albany (14), Bronx (1), and Brooklyn (1); Department of Health: Albany (1); Workers��� Compensation Board: Harlem (2), Brooklyn (1), Hauppauge (3), Menands (3), Hempstead (2), Buffalo (3), Binghamton (1), Syracuse (1), and Peekskill (1); Department of Labor: Brooklyn (1), New York (2), Patchoque (1), Syracuse (1), Buffalo (1), Albany (1), and Spanish Language/New York (1); Department of Motor Vehicles: Jamaica (1), Harlem (1), Queens (1), Staten Island (1), and Spanish Language/Queens (1).

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Duties

As a Security Officer or Security Officer (Spanish Language), you would protect occupants of buildings or offices from outside annoyances and interference by unauthorized persons. You would monitor and maintain security systems and/or conduct scheduled rounds to control access to buildings and restricted areas. You would prevent trespassing, loitering, theft and property damage, making arrests when necessary, and appearing as a witness against persons arrested. You would also assist clients by directing them to appropriate locations, or by providing non-technical information. A Security officer may inspect building fire and safety equipment, direct people to emergency egress routes and give first aid. A Security Officer may prepare and write reports involving incidents or accidents, and may perform other duties as assigned such as attend administrative hearings as directed to maintain safety and decorum. Appointees may be required to work various shifts and unscheduled overtime, when necessary.

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Subject of Examination

There will be a written test which you must pass in order to be considered for appointment. The written test is designed to test for knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:

1. Applying written information in a safety and security setting - These questions evaluate your ability to read, interpret and apply rules, regulations, directives, written narratives and other related material. You will be required to read a set of information and to appropriately apply the information to situations similar to those typically experienced in a public safety and security service setting. All information needed to answer the questions is contained in the rules, regulations, etc. which are cited.
2. Following directions (maps) - These questions test your ability to follow physical/geographic directions using street maps or building maps. You will have to read and understand a set of directions and then use them on a simple map.
3. Preparing written material - These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.
4. Understanding and interpreting written information - These questions test how well you comprehend written material. You will be provided with brief reading selections and will be asked questions about the selections. All the information required to answer the questions will be presented in the selections; you will not be required to have any special knowledge relating to the subject areas of the selections.

Your final score must be 70 or higher in order to pass. Rank on the eligible list will be determined after adding any wartime veterans' and Civil Service Law Section 85-a credits to your final passing score.

Test Guide

A Guide to the Written Test for the Safety and Security Series is now available.

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How To Apply

If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.

Additional Information

New York State is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the State of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

Appointment to many positions in State government require candidates to undergo an investigative screening. This may include a thorough character investigation, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Record History Check, a Child Abuse Registry clearance, or other similar procedures. Candidates may be fingerprinted and may be required to pay any necessary fees for that procedure. Depending on the nature of the job, the criminal convictions discovered, or any falsified or omitted information revealed, the investigative findings may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment.

Eligibility for Employment

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment and throughout your employment with New York State. If appointed, you must produce documents that establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States, as required by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Religious Accommodation

Most written tests are held on Saturdays. If you cannot take the test on the announced test date, due to a conflict with a religious observance or practice, check the box under “Religious Accommodation.” We will make arrangements for you to take the test on a different date (usually the following day).

Reasonable Accommodations in Testing

It is the policy of the Department of Civil Service, in accordance with the New York State Human Rights Law and the Americans with Disabilities Act, to provide qualified persons with disabilities equal employment opportunity and equal opportunity to participate in and receive the benefits, services, programs, and activities of the Department. It is the policy of the Department to provide such persons reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications as are necessary to provide equal opportunity. Persons with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in an examination must note this on their application. Further information is available from the Test Administration Unit of the Department of Civil Service. In the Albany area, call 518-457-2487 [press 2, then press 2]. Outside of the Albany area, call toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 2]. For TDD services, call NY Relay at 711 (requires a fee) or 1-800-662-1220.

Admission to Examination

Notice to appear for the test may be conditional as review of applications may not be made until after the test. If you have not received your notice to appear for the written test three days before the date of the test, call 518-474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 1].

Multiple Examinations Scheduled for the Same Day

If you have applied to take a written test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this written test, you must notify each of the local jurisdictions no later than two weeks before the test date to make arrangements for taking all tests at one test site. All tests will be held at the state examination center. For your convenience, contact information for all local civil service agencies is available on our website at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local.cfm

Cell Phones or Electronic/Communication Devices at the Test Site

Do not bring cell phones, beepers, headphones, or any electronic or other communication devices to the test site. The use of such devices at the test site in the test room, hallways, restrooms, building, grounds, or other areas could result in your disqualification.

S2/TC1 ICC-vla
Issued: 1/9/15
* Revised Material: 2/3/15

This announcement is subject to amendment or cancellation without notice. Do not copy it, or post it to any other site, but link to it instead.

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