NEW YORK STATE
Department of Civil Service Announces
Departmental Examination Open to All Qualified Employees of the Division of Parole

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

Open-competitive examinations 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 examinations, you may wish to apply for both. The appropriate processing fee must be filed for the open-competitive examinations.

Upon successful completion of the twelve-month training as a Parole Officer Trainee 1 or Facility Parole Officer Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to Parole Officer Trainee 2 or Facility Parole Officer Trainee 2 at a salary of $36,387. Upon satisfactory completion of the twelve-month training as a Parole Officer Trainee 2 or Facility Parole Officer Trainee 2, you will be advanced to the full title of Parole Officer, without further examination, at a salary of $50,333, or to Facility Parole Officer at a salary of $45,394, without further examination.

An appointee's performance in the trainee position and in prescribed training and development programs will be observed and evaluated. The prescribed training and development program will include extensive on-the-job training and carefully designed and monitored work experience. An appointee not meeting required standards can be terminated at any time after the initial eight weeks and before completion of the traineeship. An appointee will be placed on leave from his permanent title and will revert to that title if he does not successfully complete the traineeship.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: On or before January 7, 2006, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Division of Parole and have had three months of permanent competitive, non-competitive*, or labor class service and have a bachelor's degree by August 31, 2006. If you expect to receive your degree by August 31, 2006, you will be deemed to meet the qualifications for these examinations, but cannot be appointed until you produce proof of your degree to the Division of Parole.

* In accordance with Section 52.11 of the Civil Service Law, individuals serving permanently in the non-competitive or labor class in a qualifying title (including those serving under Section 55-b/55-c) who otherwise meet the requirements for taking this examination are eligible to compete in these transition examinations.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before October 7, 2005, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for these examinations.

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. These examinations are being held on a transition and open-competitive basis. If you are admitted to the transition examination under anticipated eligibility (i.e., you do not have the required one year of Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List) and if you meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications, you may also be admitted to the open-competitive examination. You must also file form OC-APP, APPLICATION FOR NYS EXAMINATIONS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC with the appropriate non refundable processing fee unless you are eligible for a fee waiver. Once you meet the required one year of qualifying service for appointment from the transition list, you will not be eligible for appointment from the open-competitive eligible list.
2. Parole Officers and Facility Parole Officers are public officers under state law. All appointees must be residents of New York State and at least 21 years of age.
3. Parole Officers and Facility Parole Officers are peace officers under state law. All appointees will be required to participate in, and satisfactorily complete all requirements of a training program. Training will include classroom instruction in such areas as basic law, social work practice and case management, street survival, firearms training and arrest procedures. Successful completion of the training program is mandatory for continued employment.
4. Your degree and/or college credit 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 and/or college credit 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.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: You must meet the following requirements at the time of appointment.

Background: You must be qualified to serve as a public officer of the State of New York. This requires U.S. citizenship. Conviction of a felony will bar appointment. All arrests and convictions must be reported. Because of the nature of the position, if you pass the written test, you will undergo an investigative screening, which may include a thorough character investigation. Candidates must demonstrate that they meet the requirements of Section 259f of the Executive Law. Any falsified or omitted information may result in your disqualification or removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits and consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.

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. The physical/medical standards include binocular visual acuity not less than 20/30 with or without correction (if correction is required, binocular visual acuity not less than 20/70 without correction); acceptable color perception and satisfactory speech and hearing. You will also be tested for satisfactory physical strength and coordination. You will be required to participate in substance abuse testing. Evidence of substance abuse may lead to your disqualification from appointment or termination from permanent employment in the position. To obtain a complete statement of the physical and medical standards write to the Medical Review Unit, NYS Department of Civil Service, Building 1, State Campus, Albany, NY 12239. 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.

Psychological Evaluation: Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a psychological evaluation to determine your fitness to perform the essential duties of the position. Failure to meet the standards for this screening will result in disqualification.

License Requirement: In the course of your employment as a Parole Officer, you will be required to transport parolees, do surveillance work in the community and perform other field responsibilities requiring the use of a state or personal vehicle. You must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.

Appointment: If you pass the written test, you will be notified, in score order, to appear for the physical, psychological, and investigative screening prior to appointment.

Traineeship: Upon satisfactory completion of all of the requirements of the two-year training program, Parole Officer Trainees and Facility Parole Officer Trainees will be advanced to the corresponding position of Parole Officer or Facility Parole Officer without further examination.

Probation: Appointees will be on probation for the duration of the two-year traineeship. During this probation period, performance will be periodically reviewed and carefully evaluated. Unsatisfactory probationers may be terminated at any time after eight weeks of probationary service.

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. Parole Casework – These questions will test for knowledge and application of principles and practices of casework and counseling in a correctional/parole rehabilitation setting.
2. Preparing written material – These questions test for the ability to write the kinds of reports and correspondence required in criminal justice settings such as probation and parole. Some questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately. Others test for the ability to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly.

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.

If you pass the written test, meet the physical/medical and background evaluation; psychological requirements and are considered for appointment to a "Spanish Language" position, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the Spanish language. Proficiency must be at a level that will assure your ability to perform the duties of the position properly. If you qualify for 00-051 Parole Officer Trainee 1 (Spanish Language), you are encouraged to file for 00-050 Parole Officer Trainee 1.

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.

GENERAL DUTIES OF FACILITY PAROLE OFFICER TRAINEE 1, PAROLE OFFICER TRAINEE 1, AND PAROLE OFFICER TRAINEE 1 (SPANISH LANGUAGE):

You must be willing and able to attend approximately eight weeks of training, be trained in the use of firearms, handle and discharge firearms, work with criminals who have histories of committing violent crime, and work with people who have openly hostile attitudes towards you.

As a Facility Parole Officer Trainee 1, you would typically be assigned to one or more of the State’s Correctional Facilities. You would provide guidance to an assigned caseload of inmates and assess needs, prepare evaluations, and prepare eligible inmates for release into the community. You would make recommendations to the Board of Parole regarding inmates' readiness for release. You would perform both social work and law enforcement functions. You may be assigned to work with juvenile offenders.

As a Parole Officer Trainee 1 or Parole Officer Trainee 1 (Spanish Language), you would typically be assigned to a Field Parole Office in one of several geographic regions around the state, provide supervision and guidance to an assigned caseload of releasees from State and Local correctional facilities, and help releasees comply with the terms and conditions of their release. You would perform both social work and law enforcement functions. You would work with community-based organizations to deliver needed services to an offender population under court-imposed sentences and place releasees under arrest when necessary. You may be assigned to work with juvenile offenders and work releasees.

If you are not willing and able to accept these working conditions, DO NOT APPLY for this exam.

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.

S2/TC1 JXV-exd
Issued: 10/21/05