Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,302 annual downstate adjustment.  Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or PutnamCounties will receive an additional $651 annual mid-Hudson adjustment. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  On or before the date of filing your application, you must have had four years of experience in a criminal field investigation position which includes establishing a chain of evidence.

Examples of Non-Qualifying Experience:  Experience in routine police patrol work, tax collection, collection of delinquent accounts, skip tracing, credit checking, hotel or store detective, parole officer, correction officer, guard, inspector, security-related positions or paralegal duties WILL NOT be considered as qualifying experience for this examination.

Substitution:  College study in criminal justice, police science, or law enforcement may be substituted for up to three years of the required experience on the basis of 30 credit hours equals one year of required experience.  A bachelor's or master's degree in any other field may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience.  If you are applying using this substitution, be sure to complete the "Education" portion of the application including a listing of the courses completed and the number of credit hours received for each.  Please note that college study cannot be substituted for the entire amount of field investigative experience required.  You must still have had one or more years of experience depending upon the number of college credits you are substituting.

NOTES:

1. 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 New York State Department of Civil Service:  Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, NY 12239 for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. You must pay the required evaluation fee.
2. U.S. citizenship and New York State residency are required at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.
3. As a peace officer you will be required to carry a service weapon.

THE POSITION:  This position exists in the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance in Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Newburgh, Hauppauge and Syracuse.  The majority of the positions are in New York City.

DUTIES:  As an Excise Tax Investigator 1, under the supervision of an Excise Tax Investigator 2, you would conduct investigations of reported or suspected violations of various New York State Tax Laws in order to assist in the apprehension and prosecution of suspects and violators.  This will also include inspections of retail operations to assure voluntary compliance with New York State Tax Laws.  You would regularly question witnesses and complainants and maintain surveillance of suspects to obtain information relevant to the conduct of law enforcement activities.  You would obtain and execute search warrants and subpoenas; seize and confiscate contraband and evidence; apprehend and arrest suspects and have them booked and arraigned before a judge; prepare reports; and gather evidence for the prosecution and testify in court as an expert witness for the State.  The responsibility for making felony arrests combined with the presence of criminal groups in bootlegging operations presents a potential for physical harm to Excise Tax Investigators.  The needs of surveillance frequently require working irregular hours and extended shifts.  Excise Tax Investigators 1 must maintain Peace Officer status as a condition of employment.  Excise Tax Investigators are peace officers and must be qualified to hold such office in accordance with State law.  Conviction of a felony may bar appointment.

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION:  There will be no written test.  If you meet the Minimum Qualifications your education and experience will be evaluated against the general background/critical activities of the position.  This evaluation will concentrate on the types of investigations performed and level of your education and experience.  It is essential that you describe your education and experience as completely as possible on the OC-APP Open Competitive Examination Application form.  Ambiguity, vagueness or omissions will not be decided in your favor.  Do NOT send resumes.  If you need more space, attach additional 8½ x 11” sheets, following the same format used on the application form.  Additional unsolicited information will not be accepted after the last day for filing.

Your final score must be 70 or higher in order to pass.  Rank on the eligible list will be determined after adding any wartime veterans’ and Civil Service Law Section 85-a credits to your final passing score.

HOW TO APPLY:  Use FORM OC-APP, APPLICATION FOR NYS EXAMINATIONS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  Forms are available (by mail or in person) at these offices of the New York State Department of Civil Service:  Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, NY 12239; the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, 163 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027; and the Edward A. Rath Building, 95 Franklin Street, Room 625, Buffalo, NY 14202; or by e‑mailing us at examinfo@cs.state.ny.us.  State employees may obtain examination applications at their agency or facility personnel or business office.  DO NOT USE INTERAGENCY MAIL.

Mail your completed application to:  NYS Department of Taxation and Finance at Building 9, Room 256, State Campus, Albany, NY 12227.  DO NOT USE INTER‑AGENCY MAIL.  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.

The NYS Department of Taxation and Finance has an ongoing need for persons qualified for appointment to these positions and will accept applications at any time and will rate applications whenever additional eligibles are needed.  It is anticipated that the examinations will be held on a periodic basis throughout the year.  For the testing schedule and other information about this examination, write to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance at Building 9, Room 256, State Campus, Albany, NY 12227.

ELIGIBLE LIST:  Candidates who meet the qualifications and pass this examination, will have their names placed on the eligible list in the order of final scores, regardless of the date on which they filed for the test.  The names of qualified candidates will remain on the eligible list for two years.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT:  If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be required to participate in or meet the following conditions:

Physical/Medical:  Your physical and medical condition, including a psychological evaluation, will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.  You will also be tested for physical strength and coordination.  If appointed to this position, you may be required to undergo periodic medical examinations to reassess your ability to perform the duties of the position.

Drug Testing:  You will be required to participate in a drug screening test.  Candidates found to be abusing legal drugs or using illegal drugs will be disqualified.

Candidates are responsible for payment of any clinical laboratory fees associated with the above mentioned tests. If you have any questions about whether a medical condition may bar appointment, or if you would like a complete description of the physical and medical standards, write to Medical Review Unit, Department of Civil Service, 55 Mohawk Street, Suite 201, Cohoes, NY 12047.

Investigative Screening:  You must pass an investigative screening.  You must be legally eligible to attain Peace Officer status and to carry a firearm at time of appointment and continuously thereafter.  Under Federal Law, an unpardoned felon is ineligible to carry firearms.  Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor may bar you from appointment depending upon the relationship of the violation of law to the duties of the position.

License:  A valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State will be required for appointment and continued employment.

Fingerprinting and Fees:  Fingerprinting is required.  You may be required to pay the processing fee.

In addition, you must be a United States citizen and reside in New York State.

Training:  If appointed, you must satisfactorily complete firearms and Peace Officer training programs which entail performance and/or written tests.  You must also successfully complete up to six weeks of classroom training in tax/criminal procedures, fraud detection, arrest techniques, and field activities such as surveillance and pursuit driving.  This training may not occur near your place of residence or intended station of assignment.  Failure to successfully complete this training may result in immediate termination of your employment, overriding normal minimum retention periods.

Probation:  If appointed, you must successfully complete a probation period of not less than 26 weeks nor more than 52 weeks; however, (except for the conditions identified under Training) your employment may be terminated for poor performance any time after eight weeks of service.

Important

If you are a retired member of a retirement system or pension plan administered by New York State or any of its political subdivisions and you are receiving a retirement allowance for other than physical disability, and you are appointed to one of the positions, you may be required to join the New York State Employees' Retirement System and you may no longer be allowed to receive your current pension.  Upon retirement, you may be eligible for combined benefits.  For details regarding the effect on your retirement allowance, contact your retirement system or pension plan.

RETEST POLICY:  Qualified candidates may file as frequently as every twelve months, but a new application is required each time.

Appeal of ratings will not be allowed as the opportunity for retest exists.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

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.

Appointment to many positions in State government require candidates to undergo an investigative screening. This may include a thorough character investigation, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Record History Check, a Child Abuse Registry clearance, or other similar procedures. Candidates may be fingerprinted and may be required to pay any necessary fees for that procedure. Depending on the nature of the job, the criminal convictions discovered, or any falsified or omitted information revealed, the investigative findings may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment.

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.

NEW YORK STATE RESIDENCE IS NOT REQUIRED FOR MOST POSITIONS:  However, you must be eligible for employment in the United States.

CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT/ELIGIBLE LISTS:  Candidates who meet the qualifications and pass this examination will have their names placed on the eligible list in the order of final scores, regardless of the date on which they filed or took the test.  Generally, the names of qualified candidates will remain on the eligible list for two years.  Appeal of ratings will not be allowed as the opportunity for retest exists.  The Department of Civil Service reserves the right to terminate this special recruitment program.

BE SURE TO USE THE APPLICATION FORM OC-APP
WHEN APPLYING FOR THESE EXAMINATIONS

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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