New York State Department of Civil Service Announces Examinations Open to All Qualified Individuals

Addictions Program Specialist Trainee 1

Examination Open To All Qualified Employees of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

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 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.

The eligible list resulting from this transition examination will be used to fill 2-year traineeships leading to Addictions Program Specialist 1, G-18.

Upon successful completion of the twelve-month training as an Addictions Program Specialist Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to Addictions Program Specialist Trainee 2 at a salary of $36,228. Upon satisfactory completion of the twelve-month training as an Addiction Program Specialist Trainee 2, you will be advanced to the full title of Addictions Program Specialist 1, without further examination, at a salary of $45,113.

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 their permanent title and will revert to that title if they do not successfully complete the traineeship.

Back To Top

Minimum Qualifications

On or before June 14, 2008, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and have had permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as follows:

1. Three years in a title allocated to G-7 or higher; if you were permanently appointed on or before July 14, 2005, and have served continuously since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination; OR
2. Two years in a title allocated to G-11 or higher; if you were permanently appointed on or before July 14, 2006, and have served continuously since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination; OR
3. One year in a title allocated to G-13 or higher; if you were permanently appointed on or before July 14, 2007, and have served continuously since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.

If you have served in a satisfactory equivalent combination of the service described above, you are also eligible to file for this examination.

Back To Top

Duties

As an Addictions Program Specialist Trainee 1, you would assist with a wide range of professional, administrative, and technical tasks associated with addictions treatment/prevention/recovery systems. Under the supervision of higher level Addictions Program Specialists, you would aid with the collection and analysis of data/reports and assist in the integration of effective local addictions services, ensuring program compliance with guidelines and regulations. You would typically perform these required tasks in specific geographic, program, and/or functional areas of the OASAS operation.

Back To Top

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. Characteristics and problems of alcohol and substance abuse clients - These questions test for knowledge of the symptoms, problems, conditions and treatment approaches associated with alcohol and substance abuse. Questions may cover such topics as: identifying physical and behavioral symptoms of addiction; commonly abused drugs; understanding the impact on the family and on society; and prevention strategies.
2. 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.
3. Understanding and interpreting tabular material - These questions test your ability to understand, analyze, and use the internal logic of data presented in tabular form. You may be asked to perform tasks such as completing tables, drawing conclusions from them, analyzing data trends or interrelationships, and revising or combining data sets. The concepts of rate, ratio, and proportion are tested. Mathematical operations are simple, and computational speed is not a major factor in the test.
4. Understanding and interpreting written material - 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.

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.

Back To Top

How To Apply

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 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 518-457-2487 [press 2, then press 2] in the Albany area, toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 2], or via TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) at 518-457-8480.

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

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 518-474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 1], 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.

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.

S1/TB1 SCP-vla
Issued: 3/28/08

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.

Back To Top