Principal Engineering Technician

Salary Grade	*Salary
G-16	$56,550
Equated to G-16	$51,814 (Thruway)

Due to current testing space limitations, candidates may need to travel to a test site to take this examination. Candidates will be notified of their test site location on their admission notice.

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $3,087 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $1,543 annual mid-Hudson adjustment.

Back To Top

Minimum Qualifications

On or before December 2, 2023, you must have:

Either 1. four years of experience assisting in engineering or engineering technology, architecture or architectural technology, environmental technology, landscape architecture/design, materials laboratory technology, drafting or surveying, AND graduation from high school or possession of a diploma issued by a recognized educational authority;

Or 2. an associate's degree in mathematics, physical science, geology, engineering or engineering technology, architecture or architectural technology, construction technology, landscape architecture/design, environmental technology, drafting, forestry, surveying, aeronautics, electronics, or electronics technology AND two years of experience listed above in number 1;

Or 3. a bachelor's degree in mathematics, physical science, geology, engineering or engineering technology, architecture or architectural technology, construction technology, landscape architecture/design, environmental technology, drafting, forestry, surveying, aeronautics, electronics, or electronics technology.

• If you expect to meet the educational requirements by June 30, 2024, you can take the multiple-choice test. You MUST submit proof of successful completion of the educational requirements to the hiring agency at the time of the employment interview or you will not be considered for appointment. Failure to meet the educational requirements by June 30, 2024, may result in your removal from the eligible list.
• Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfmt
• If verifiable, we will accept and prorate appropriate part-time and volunteer experience.
• New York State residency is not required.

The Positions: These positions exist in the New York State Department of Transportation, Thruway Authority, Canal Corporation, and Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and are located throughout New York State.

Back To Top

Duties

As an Principal Engineering Technician, you would perform complex and technical activities in support of various engineering projects and/or program areas. These activities might include preparing written reports and cost estimates of materials, supplies and equipment, and developing or reviewing contract plans and specifications. You may supervise lower level technicians in such areas as design, construction inspection, surveying, traffic engineering, maintenance, planning, engineering research, and material testing. Additionally, you may plan and schedule field and laboratory test work, review test reports, and develop test equipment and procedures. You may also be expected to use various computer applications including Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) in the performance of your duties.

Note:

1. Travel Requirements: Appointment to certain positions requires extensive travel within an area of assignment. Appointees may need to operate a motor vehicle or have other means to meet the transportation needs of the job. If the position requires that you operate a motor vehicle, you must continuously have a driver's license valid in New York State to continue employment. Field work and travel expenses are reimbursed on a fixed schedule. Overnight travel may be required.
2. A promotion examination will also be held for these positions. If you are eligible for appointment from a promotion list, you may not be appointed in your own agency from the list resulting from this examination open to the public. Although promotion examinations are being held, it is expected that appointments will be made as a result of the open competitive exam.

Back To Top

Subject of Examination

To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass the multiple-choice test. The multiple-choice test evaluates your knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in the following areas:

1. Basic surveying and computerized drafting techniques - These questions test for elementary knowledge of the principles, terminology, computations, and proper practices involved in performing surveys of various construction projects and land areas, and the concepts, terminology, and proper procedures to use when creating technical drawings utilizing computerized drafting software.
2. Mathematics, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry - These questions test for the ability to read, analyze, and solve technician-level written problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, algebraic equations, geometric concepts and figures, and basic trigonometric functions.
3. Methods and materials used in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges and other structures and facilities - These questions test for knowledge of the proper procedures, materials, and equipment used in the construction, reconstruction, and repair of various types of public works projects, including such typical construction work as roadways, bridges, excavations, embankments, drainage structures, retaining walls, and similar facilities.
4. 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.
5. Project planning, design, environmental impact, contracts and contract administration - These questions test for knowledge of the concepts, terminology, proper procedures, evaluation techniques, and computations used in the planning, design, and implementation of engineering projects and related contractual agreements, including scheduling and overseeing projects and/or contracts to completion, highway design, traffic studies, and environmental impact assessment.
6. Supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.

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.

Admission to the test: If approved for a multiple-choice test, you will receive an admission notice which will indicate your assigned test date and the way your test will be administered. Your test may be administered with paper and pencil or online at a state test site using a state-provided Chromebook. You cannot request to change your scheduled day or request a specific type of test administration.

Applicants are required to have a Personal NY.gov account and keep their email address up to date. The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies will communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include the notification of your test arrangements, 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.

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 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.

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.

Eligibility for Employment

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment and throughout your employment with New York State. If appointed, you must produce documents that establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States, as required by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Religious Accommodation

Most multiple-choice 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 multiple-choice 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 multiple-choice 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 multiple-choice test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this multiple-choice 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.

Cell Phones or Electronic/Communication Devices at the Test Site

The use of cell phones, beepers, headphones, or any electronic or other communication devices at your personal testing site or in the test room, hallways, restrooms, building, grounds, or other areas, except as expressly authorized by the Department of Civil Service, could result in your disqualification.

S2/TC3 JMM-klr
Issued: 9/15/23
*Revised Material: 10/2/23

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