Public Management Institute
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants have many questions about the PMI program. Choose one of the following categories to read some of the most frequently asked questions.
- The Program Components
- The Application
- How many applications do you expect to receive?
- If I am unsure whether to include something in the application, what should I do?
- If I neglect to include some information in the application and remember it afterward can it be added to my application for consideration?
- Instead of completing the lengthy application, can I simply send a resume?
- Internships
- Time Frame
- Assessment Center
- Applicant Profile
Or ask your own question through e-mail at PMI@cs.state.ny.us
Program Components
What will my initial job assignment be?
Candidates compete for placement in entry-level administrative positions in selected State agencies. Positions may be available in "central" agencies, such as the Department of Civil Service and the Division of the Budget, as well as "operating" agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles and the New York State Education Department.
After satisfactory completion of one year, interns advance to the journey level (Salary Grade 18) in their home agency assignment. During the second year, they continue their job assignments, rotations and centralized training. At the conclusion of the two-year program, interns will continue on an administrative track in their agency assignment.
What are the possible career tracks I can take?
PMI positions may be offered in any of four career tracks:
- Agency Operations:
- Agency operations focus on the respective mission of each of the participating agencies. Interns in this track work on issues that relate directly to the principal responsibilities of a particular agency.
- Budget and Finance:
- Interns assigned to the budget and finance career track will participate in the preparation, analysis and justification of budget requests as part of the State's budget process.
- Human Resources Management:
- The human resources management career track provides opportunities in labor relations, personnel, diversity management and/or employee training and development.
- Public Policy:
- The public policy career track focuses on job duties associated with the development, analysis, and implementation of policy issues as they relate to State government.
Rotational Assignments
During the course of the internship, interns will be given temporary rotational assignments within their agency or in another State agency. The purpose of these assignments is to introduce interns to other career tracks and/or to other State offices, in particular those offices that interact regularly with the office in which they are based. Most interns will experience two rotations during the internship. In all cases, rotations will provide experience consistent with career development.
Will any training programs be available to me?
In addition to the professional growth that comes from on-the-job experiences in both the home agency and during the rotations, interns will participate in more structured training conducted by the renowned Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government of the State University of New York at Albany and Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. The first year of training, administered by the Rockefeller Institute will include an orientation to New York State government, a study of the functions and relationships among central and operating agencies, and the development of an awareness and sensitivity to selected current issues and trends impacting the way business is carried out in government. During their second year, interns will participate in hands-on workshops, administered by Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations that span human resources, management development, equal employment opportunities and labor relations. Upon completion of this program, interns will be awarded a prestigious management certificate from Cornell University.
Individualized training will be provided by home agencies as appropriate to further develop interns in their career track.
Visit the Rockefeller Insititute of Government
and Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations for more information about these organizations.
Will any professional guidance or instruction be available to me?
An experienced manager within the agency will be assigned to each intern to act as a mentor for the duration of the internship. The mentor will be available to serve as a sounding board to discuss questions, insights, challenges, or problems. Mentors may also help interns in planning personal strategies for career advancement.
Additional Information, Announcement and Applications
Announcements and applications are available in the fall of each year for hiring in the spring of the next year. Go to "Apply" for additional information about the application process.
Application
How many applications do you expect to receive?
We average approximately 700 applications a year, many from states other than New York.
If I am unsure whether to include something in the application, what should I do?
The review of your application is the first step in the examination process. Your final score is based on the information that you provide in the application. Include everything you feel may have some bearing on this critical step. It is better to include something than to exclude it.
If I neglect to include some information in the application and remember it afterward can it be added to my application for consideration?
Once the application is submitted no additional information can be added. You are given several opportunities to review the material before you submit your application. You should take this time to be sure that your application is complete. All appropriate information should be filed as a package.
Instead of completing the lengthy application, can I simply send a resume?
Our Review Committee must evaluate a fairly large number of applications within a short timeframe and all applications must be reviewed against the same standards and format.
Internships
Where are the internships located?
Internships are located in many New York State agencies. Exact locations vary from year to year although generally interns are assigned to agencies in the Albany area or to operating agencies or regional offices throughout New York State. We have placed interns in locations such as Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, Schenectady, Binghamton, Elmira, Rochester and New York City. Please refer to the examination announcement for specific information on locations at the start of each program year.
How are the internships selected?
The process of selecting internships is as competitive as that of selecting interns. As a result of our call letter, agencies submit proposals that are evaluated by a screening committee. The committee rates each proposal in terms of the supervisor's qualifications, the experience of the mentor, the duties of the position and the opportunity for management skills development. This process takes place in the fall of each year.
Timeframe
As we might be considering other offers, when may we expect to know if we are being offered an internship?
Typically we complete the evaluation of applications and notify candidates of the results of the initial screening and invitation to the Assessment Center on or around the second week of December of each year. The Assessment Center is held in January and February of each year. Those who are successful are finalists and will be invited to our two-day Interview Fair during the month of April. Job offers will be extended shortly afterward.
Why is the selection process so lengthy?
Because the title PMI is a competitive class position in the NYS civil service system, the positions must be filled by competitive examination. Both the evaluation of education and experience and the Assessment Center allow us to select those individuals most likely to succeed as Public Management Interns. Because of the competitive nature of the positions, we cannot offer jobs merely on the basis of an interview.
Assessment Center
You mentioned an Assessment Center. What is it and how should we prepare?
The Assessment Center is an integral component of the selection process whose purpose is to objectively assess an individual's skills in oral communications and decision-making. The assessment will consist of two segments - a writing exercise and an individual oral presentation. For the writing exercise, you will be asked to respond to a general management question. The exercise provides sponsoring agencies with a means to evaluate your ability to organize and present written information.
For the oral presentation, you will be given a hypothetical situation for which you will be expected to prepare a brief oral presentation and present it to an examining panel. After making your presentation, you will be asked to defend the ideas you presented. The examiners will evaluate your analysis, reasoning and judgment skills, and presentation skills. Candidates may also refer to the examination announcement under "Subject of Examination" for more details.
Applicant Profile
Being that the PMI Program is run by the State of New York, is the program open only to residents of New York State?
No, you don't have to be a resident of New York State to be considered for appointment to the PMI. We have appointed MANY out-of-state residents to the program. In fact, we recruit actively in many states across the country. Non-residents of the United States are also considered. Individuals must have the ability to work in the United States.
Have most of the PMI's just recently completed their graduate work? What is the general age and or experience level of PMI's?
PMI's are of varying ages and levels of experience. Candidates include current graduate students, people who graduated twenty plus years ago, and those that fall somewhere in between. There is no stereotypical PMI candidate. Individuals will be evaluated on their own merit and not held up to some "ideal candidate" type statistics.