NEW YORK STATE Department of Civil Service and Workers' Compensation Board announce Continuous Recruitment Examination Open to All Qualified Individuals APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED CONTINUOUSLY TESTS ADMINISTERED PERIODICALLY

Examination No.	Title	Salary Grade	Beginning Salary	Job Rate
20-704	VERBATIM REPORTER 1	17	$44,936	$54,351

NO APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE REQUIRED

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 Putnam Counties will receive an additional $651 annual mid-Hudson adjustment.

This examination program is decentralized to the Workers' Compensation Board. The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill positions at the Division of Parole and the Workers' Compensation Board.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: On or before the date of the performance test, you must have:

1. two years of satisfactory experience in general verbatim reporting; or
2. possession of a certificate of completion of a two-year course/degree in court reporting or verbatim reporting. (You will be required to furnish a copy at the time of the examination.); or
3. possession of documentation from an accredited school or institution confirming proficiency of at least 180 words per minute. (You will be required to furnish a copy at the time of the examination.)

HOW TO APPLY: If you wish to apply for this examination, complete the Application For Open‑Competitive Examination Form (OC-APP) and mail it directly to:

NYS Workers' Compensation Board
Human Resources Management
20 Park Street, Room 100 VR
Albany, New York 12207

The Division of Parole and the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) have an ongoing need for persons qualified for appointment to these positions. The WCB will accept applications at any time and schedule performance tests whenever additional eligibles are needed. It is anticipated that the examinations will be held on a periodic basis throughout the year. For testing schedule and other information about this examination, write to the NYS Workers' Compensation Board, Human Resources Management, 20 Park Street, Albany, NY 12207 or call (518)474-2685.

NOTES:

1. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
2. New York State residence is not required.

THE POSITIONS: Verbatim Reporter 1 positions exist in the Division of Parole and the Workers' Compensation Board. These positions are located in Albany, Binghamton, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Harlem, Hauppauge, Hempstead, Jamaica, Menands, Peekskill, Rochester and Syracuse.

DUTIES: As a Verbatim Reporter 1, you would take verbatim records at hearings, formal meetings and conferences by parties of interest. You would transcribe proceedings and minutes of meetings involving testimony and/or discussion on various topics. In addition, you would take the sworn testimony of doctors, specialists, psychiatrists, chiropractors, etc., including descriptions of diagnosis and treatment.

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: There will be a performance test which you must pass in order to be considered for appointment. Final scores will be based on the performance test only. You must achieve a passing score of 70 or higher in order to be considered for appointment.

SCOPE OF PERFORMANCE TEST: The performance test will require verbatim recording of moderately difficult or technical two-voice dictation at the rate of 225 syllables per minute and transcribing that dictation with at least 92% accuracy. (The rate of 225 syllables per minute equals 160 to 180 words per minute, depending upon the syllabic density of the material.) The dictation will be presented on a video monitor and will be in the form of a simulated hearing segment. The dictation will be five minutes long. You will then have one hour and forty-five minutes to transcribe the dictation.

TEST ADMINISTRATION:

1. You must provide your own manual or battery-powered shorthand writing machine ("steno machine"). Only manually operated machines are permitted; closed-microphone or other non-manual systems may not be used.
2. You will transcribe the dictation using a standard personal computer (PC), which will be provided at the test center, and Microsoft "Word" word processing software. You are not permitted to bring your own transcribing equipment. You will make all of your entries, and any corrections to those entries, on screen. That is, there will be no printed copy of your work. You will be sent instructions for producing the transcription prior to the test date.
3. You may use the Word software's spelling checker during the transcription as well as hardcopy dictionaries (English, Legal and Medical), which you must supply yourself. You may not bring electronic dictionaries or share dictionaries with other candidates.
4. You will be required to clear all RAM memory from your "steno" machine at the completion of the test.
5. All steno machine disks, tapes (both paper and magnetic), and notes will become the property of the State and will not be returned to you. A Flash Card will be provided to candidates using a paperless shorthand machine and will be collected at the completion of the test.

TEST HOLDINGS: Performance Tests for approved applicants will be conducted at the following offices of the Workers' Compensation Board:

ELIGIBLE LIST: If you are successful on the performance test, your name will be placed on the eligible list in final score order, where it will remain on the eligible list for two years, regardless of when you filed for or took the test. Because applications are accepted continuously, there is no review of the scoring of the performance test allowed.

At the time of appointment, you will be required to furnish acceptable documentation about your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. Some Verbatim Reporter 1 positions may require that you have a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State – or otherwise demonstrate an ability to perform the required fieldwork – if public transportation is not available. You will be advised of this at the employment interview.

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. For mail requests, you may contact the New York State Workers' Compensation Board directly for an application at (518) 474‑2685.

Mail your completed application to: NYS Workers' Compensation Board, Human Resources Management, 20 Park Street, Albany, NY 12207. 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.

RETEST POLICY: There is a six-month retest policy. Applicants who would like to retake the performance test are encouraged to reapply approximately four months after their most recent test. A new OC-APP form is required.

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.

S4 ICC-tmc
Reissued: 8/07

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