NEW YORK STATE
Department of Civil Service Announces
Departmental Examination Open To
All Qualified Employees of the Department of Health

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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

Many of these positions require extensive field work, some of which might include nights and weekends within assigned regions or areas. Some appointees will be required to possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment, or continuously thereafter, or otherwise demonstrate their ability to meet the transportation needs of the job as some work responsibilities may include travel to areas not served by public transportation.

Because exposure to potentially hazardous substances may be involved in some of these positions, candidates who accept appointment may be required to wear personal protective equipment, undergo pre-employment and periodic health evaluations and receive specific immunizations. After appropriate training, appointees to any of these titles may be required to take blood samples or inject immunization vaccines.

The nature of the assignments of these positions is such that considerable interpersonal contact on sensitive topics is required.

Open-competitive examinations (No. 24-520 and 24-521) are being held at the same time as these transition examinations. 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 January 21, 2006, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Health and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a position allocated to Grade 9 or higher.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before October 21, 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. If you are qualified for Examination Number 00-061, Public Health Representative 1 (Spanish Language), you should also file for Examination Number 00-060, Public Health Representative 1.
2. If you pass the examination for Number 00-061, Public Health Representative 1 (Spanish Language), you will be required to demonstrate your Spanish language proficiency at a level that will ensure your ability to perform the duties of the position properly. Only enough candidates to fill current vacancies will be called to the proficiency test. If other language parenthetics are established, the list will also be used to fill those positions and appointees must demonstrate their language proficiency prior to appointment.

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. Educating and interacting with the public – These questions test for a knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individual citizens and/or community groups, to educate or inform them about topics of concern, to publicize or clarify agency programs or policies, to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and to represent one’s agency or program in a manner in keeping with good public relations practices. Questions may also cover interacting with others in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service.
2. Interviewing – These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in obtaining information from individuals through structured conversations. These questions require you to apply the principles, practices, and techniques of effective interviewing to hypothetical interviewing situations. Included are questions that present a problem arising from an interviewing situation, and you must choose the most appropriate course of action to take.
3. Public health issues & practices – These questions test for knowledge of significant public health problems and strategies for promoting and protecting the public health. Topics may cover such areas as immunization programs, disease vectors, sexually transmitted diseases, disease surveillance, epidemiology, public education, disease reporting and control.
   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.

DUTIES: Public Health Representatives duties may include providing support and guidance to local public health programs, medical facilities, providers and local health departments, supporting collaborative relationships between providers; enduring compliance with public health law and mandated federal and state reporting requirements and involvement in a wide variety of public health outreach, prevention, referral, case and contract management and education activities. Positions in this title series may also participate in responding to public health emergencies.

Specifically, Public Health Representative 1’s participate in limited scope public health investigations; assist in the delivery of public health education and outreach programs; support public health registries, conduct on-site medical record reviews, conduct interviews to gather information on chronic or communicable diseases of genetic conditions, and/or may be responsible for contacting the public, providers, or agencies to provide information or referrals about public health issues and problems and assist in the agency’s response to public health emergencies.

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/TB3 DMH-tmc
Issued: 11/4/05