NEW YORK STATE
Department of Civil Service Announces
Departmental Examination Open to All Qualified Employees of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities

This TRANSITION EXAMINATION is one of several concepts included in a Memorandum of Intent agreed to by New York State and CSEA, and is designed to provide opportunities for employees within state service.

An open-competitive examination No. 24-430 is being held at the same time as this transition examination. Agencies have the option of making appointments from either list. If you meet the requirements for the open-competitive as well as the transition examination, you may wish to apply for both. The appropriate processing fee must be filed for the open competitive examination.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: On or before September 24, 2005, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a clinical or direct care position.

In addition, you must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in a human service field* or permanent NYS certification as a teacher.

* For the purpose of this examination, a degree in a human service field includes the professional disciplines of audiology, community mental health, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, rehabilitation counseling, social work, speech/language pathology and therapeutic recreation (including concentrations in art, dance, drama, music or physical education). Also included are related academic disciplines associated with the study of human behavior (e.g., gerontology, human services, sociology, speech communication); or human skills development (e.g., counseling, education, human development).

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before June 24, 2005, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.

QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR APPOINTMENT FROM THE ELIGIBLE LIST: After one year of the service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

NOTES:

1. Your degree must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to the Examination Information Desk of the Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service.This information is also available here. You must pay the required evaluation fee.
   IF YOU ARE APPLYING ON THE INTERNET, YOU MUST MAIL THE INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION OF EQUIVALENCY TO THE NYS DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE, ALBANY, NEW YORK, 12239, ATTENTION: S1KLB.
2. This examination has special minimum qualifications in addition to the usual "time in service requirement." If you are filing on the INTERNET, please list all pertinent information online. If you are applying by XD 5 Application Card, you must list all pertinent information on the Application Card.
3. If you pass the examination for Spanish Language or Deaf and Hearing Impaired, you will be required to demonstrate your language proficiency at a level that will assure your ability to perform properly the duties of the position.

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. Developing and implementing habilitation plans – These questions test for the ability to develop, implement and evaluate habilitation plans which address the needs of developmentally disabled individuals. Question topics may include assessing consumer needs and strengths; using this assessment to develop individualized habilitation goals and plans; selecting and applying appropriate training methods and behavior modification techniques; helping consumers to achieve goals; and guiding direct care staff in assisting consumers.
2. Interpreting and maintaining client records – These questions test for the ability to work with client records in a human services setting. You will be presented with sample information from a fictional client record or program document, along with instructions on how to interpret and complete this information. You will need to read, interpret, organize, classify and/or complete the information as instructed to answer the test questions included with the selection.
3. Understanding individuals with developmental disabilities – These questions test for knowledge and understanding of the characteristics and problems associated with various forms of mental retardation and developmental disabilities and of techniques which promote the level of functioning of people who have been diagnosed with a developmental disability.

If you pass, your seniority credit(s), if any, will be included in the computation of your final score. Rank on the eligible list will be determined after adding any wartime veterans' credits to your final passing score.

CREDIT FOR SENIORITY: Seniority is credited at the rate of one credit for each five-year period (or fraction thereof) excluding the first year of service.

The NYS Department of Civil Service reserves the right to reject for lateness or to accept applications filed after the advertised filing period. All statements you make on your application are subject to investigation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXAMINATION: To be eligible to compete in this examination, you must be employed in the specified department or agency on a permanent or contingent permanent basis in the competitive class, or in the non-competitive class or labor class if specifically noted on this announcement (or be on an appropriate preferred list), and have the specified time in the specified title or salary grade. You may not compete in a test for a title if you are permanently employed in that title (unless you are still on probation) or in a higher direct line of promotion.

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) 457 5483 if taking the test in Albany; (518) 457-6556 for New York City Test Center; (518) 457 7022 for all other Test Centers.

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 in 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, marital status, or arrest and/or criminal conviction record unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

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: In addition, 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 enjoy equal opportunity. Persons with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in an examination must note this on their applications. Further information is available from the Special Arrangements Unit of the Department of Civil Service at (518) 457-3416 or TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) (518) 457-8480.

MULTIPLE EXAMINATIONS SCHEDULED FOR THE SAME DAY: With the exception of written tests announced by New York City, if you have applied to take a written test announced by a local jurisdiction (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this written test, you must call (518) 457-7022 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.

S1/TB1 KLB-tlm
Issued: 6/24/05