Investigative Specialist Trainee 1 (Motor Vehicle)

*Due to the size of the candidate population for this test date, you may be assigned to either Saturday, April 21, 2018, or Sunday, April 22, 2018, to take your test. Your admission notice will tell you where and when you are scheduled to appear. You cannot request a day in advance or change your scheduled day.

IMPORTANT: Unless waived, you must pay the non-refundable processing fee. For information on fee waivers, visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc/appinfo.cfm##Fee. It is important that you verify that you entered the correct examination number and title on your online or paper application prior to submitting. If you apply online, you should immediately review your email confirmation notice to verify that you applied for the correct examination. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT received by the Department of Civil Service. No late applications will be accepted after the filing deadline has passed.

Transition examination open to all qualified employees of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

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 each examination.

The eligible list resulting from this transition examination will be used to fill a two-year traineeship leading to Investigative Specialist 1 (Motor Vehicle) and Investigative Specialist 1 (Motor Vehicle) (Various Language Proficiencies) G-18.

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.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before April 21, 2018, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as:

Either A. an Investigative Aide or Investigative Aide (Spanish Language);

Or B. in a position allocated to Grade 9 or higher; OR

In a position allocated to Grade 6, 7, or 8 AND a bachelor���s degree or higher.

If you expect to meet the educational requirements by September 30, 2018, you can be admitted to the written test, but you cannot be considered for appointment until you submit proof of successful completion of the educational requirement to the Appointing Authority at the time of the employment interview. Failure to meet the educational requirements by September 30, 2018 may result in your removal from the eligible list.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before January 21, 2018, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.

Appointment Level: If you are selected for appointment, you may, at the agency���s discretion, be appointed directly to a higher level. To be considered for advanced placement you must possess education or experience beyond the ���Minimum Qualifications��� such as: an associate���s degree or higher in criminal justice, law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration, criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science, economic crime management, or homeland security; investigative experience or experience in a field investigative position conducting interviews of witnesses and others, taking written statements and affidavits, collecting and analyzing physical and documentary evidence, and preparing detailed written reports of investigative findings. For further information on qualifications for higher level positions visit: www.cs.ny.gov\examannouncements\announcements\investigatoradvancedplacement.cfm.

Qualifying Experience for Appointment from the Eligible List

After one year of service as an Investigative Aide or Investigative Aide (Spanish Language), successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

After two years of service in a position allocated to Grade 9 or higher, successful candidates will be eligible for appointment from the eligible list.

After two years of service in a position allocated to Grade 6, 7, or 8 AND proof of a bachelor���s degree or higher, successful candidates will be eligible for appointment from the eligible list.

Eligibles who meet the ���B��� qualifications, and who are subsequently appointed to an ���A��� title, may request to have their name added to the ���A��� list, once they have completed the one year of service in the ���A��� title. The request should be submitted in writing to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Albany, New York 12239; Attention: S200426MPR

Order of Certification

The order of certification of this eligible list will be:

1. "A" eligibles
2. "All" eligibles

Notes

1. Your degree must have been awarded by a high school or educational institution 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 NYS Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. This information can also be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. 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: S2MPR.
2. Travel Requirements: Appointment to certain positions requires extensive travel within a designated area of assignment. Appointees to these positions may be required to operate a motor vehicle or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job. If the position requires that you operate a motor vehicle, you must possess a driver's license valid in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter. Field work and travel expenses are reimbursed on a fixed schedule.
3. Language Proficiency: If you pass the examination for No. 00-427 Investigative Specialist Trainee (Motor Vehicle) (Chinese Language), No. 00-428 Investigative Specialist Trainee (Motor Vehicle) (Creole Language), No. 00-429 Investigative Specialist Trainee (Motor Vehicle) (Italian Language), No. 00-430 Investigative Specialist Trainee (Motor Vehicle) (Korean Language), No. 00-431 Investigative Specialist Trainee (Motor Vehicle) (Russian Language), or No. 00-432 Investigative Specialist Trainee (Motor Vehicle) (Spanish Language), you will be required to demonstrate your language proficiency at a level that will ensure your ability to perform properly the duties of the position. Only enough candidates to fill current vacancies will be called to the proficiency test.
4. If you submit an application for any of the Language Parenthetics exams, an application will be automatically submitted for exam No. 00-426 Investigative Specialist Trainee (Motor Vehicle), at no additional cost.
5. An open competitive exam is also being held for these positions. The Department of Motor Vehicles has the option of making appointments from either the transition lists or the open-competitive lists. If you meet the requirements for both examinations, you may file for both, following application processing instructions.
6. 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. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm. A medical examination will be required prior to appointment, and you may be 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.
7. Drug Testing: Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a drug-screening test and may be responsible for the clinical lab fee. Failure to meet the standards may result in your disqualification.
8. 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.
9. Background Investigation: Because of the nature of the positions there may be an investigative screening that may include a thorough character investigation. All convictions must be reported. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor or any falsified or omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.
10. Fingerprints and Fees: Fingerprinting may be required at the time of appointment. You may be required to pay the processing fee.
11. Peace Officer Status: Investigative Specialist Trainee 1 (Motor Vehicle) and Investigative Specialist Trainee 1 (Motor Vehicle) (Various Language Proficiencies) are peace officers and must be qualified to hold such office in accordance with state law. As such, they are required to attend New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services sanctioned peace officer training. Employment is dependent on continuous certification as a peace officer.
12. United States Citizenship and New York State Residence are required at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.
13. Firearms: Appointees to Investigative Specialist Trainee 1 (Motor Vehicle) and Investigative Specialist Trainee 1 (Motor Vehicle) (Various Language Proficiencies) will be required to obtain and maintain a firearm permit from New York City, which requires an extensive background check, and to carry a firearm in the performance of their duties. You must successfully complete an assigned firearms training and annual re-qualification and display continued proficiency. Denial or loss of a firearm permit will result in removal from employment in this positon.

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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. 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.
2. Evaluating information and evidence - These questions test for the ability to evaluate and draw conclusions from information and evidence. Each question consists of a set of facts and a conclusion based on the facts. The candidate must decide if the conclusion is warranted by the facts.
3. Understanding and interpreting written material - These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material. You will be presented with brief reading passages and will be asked questions about the passages. You should base your answers to the questions only on what is presented in the passages and not on what you may happen to know about the topic.

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.

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Duties

As an Investigative Specialist Trainee 1 (Motor Vehicle), or Investigative Specialist Trainee 1 (Motor Vehicle) (Chinese/Creole/Italian/Korean/Russian/Spanish), you would undertake investigations related to the administration and enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations governing motor vehicle sales, registration, licensing, and disposal utilizing facial recognition and forensic vehicle examinations. Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and/or practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level.

Important: The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies may communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include the notification of your examination results and canvassing you for interest in appointment. It will be important for you to keep your email address, phone number and mailing address current by logging into https://www.cs.ny.gov/home/myaccount.

TEST GUIDE: A Guide to the Written Test for the Investigator Series is available on the Department website at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/statetestguides.cfm.

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How To Apply

If you do not receive a number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.

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 employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law, 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

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 provide equal opportunity. Persons with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in an examination must note this on their application. Further information is available from the Test Administration Unit of the Department of Civil Service. In the Albany area, call 518-457-2487. Outside of the Albany area, call toll free at 1-877-697-5627. For TDD services, call NY Relay at 711 (requires a fee) or 1-800-662-1220.

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, email us at AdmissionNotices@cs.ny.gov. Please provide your first and last name, address, and the last four digits of your social security number, and we will provide you with the information you need to attend your written test. If you have an issue other than not receiving your admission notice, please contact our office at (518) 474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627. Please leave a clear concise message and provide your first and last name, last four digits of your social security number and a daytime phone number.

Taking State and Local Examinations Scheduled for the Same Day

If you have applied to take a written test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this written test, you must notify each of the local jurisdictions 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. For your convenience, contact information for all local civil service agencies is available on our website at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local.cfm.

Eligibility for Examination

To be considered a qualified employee eligible to compete in this examination, you must be employed in, or on leave from, 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.

Cell Phones or Electronic/Communication Devices at the Test Site

Do not bring cell phones, beepers, headphones, or any electronic or other communication devices to the test site. The use of such devices at the test site in the test room, hallways, restrooms, building, grounds, or other areas could result in your disqualification.

S2/TC1 MPR-dah
Issued: 02/02/2018

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.

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