NEW YORK STATE
Department of Civil Service Announces
Examinations Open to All Qualified Individuals

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,264 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $632 annual Mid-Hudson adjustment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: On or before October 15, 2005, you must have:

For Number 24-546:

30 semester credit hours, including 12 semester credit hours in fisheries, marine resources or wildlife management; mariculture; marine biology; aquaculture; aquatic, marine or terrestrial ecology; zoology; marine technology; botany; limnology; hydrology; or oceanography.

For Number 24-519:

1. 60 semester credit hours, including 24 semester credit hours in fisheries, marine resources or wildlife management; mariculture; marine biology; aquaculture; aquatic, marine or terrestrial ecology; zoology; marine technology; botany; limnology; hydrology; or oceanography; OR
2. 30 semester credit hours, including 12 semester credit hours in the above courses AND one year of experience in fisheries, wildlife or marine resources management; fish or wildlife propagation; a living marine resources program; or a fish, wildlife or marine research program.

IMPORTANT: If you qualify under an option requiring the possession of semester credit hours, you must submit a list of qualifying courses or photocopy of your transcript(s) with your application. Include the course title, number of semester credit hours for each course, the name of the college or university and the date (or expected date) of completion. Applications submitted without a list of relevant courses will not be approved. If you qualify under an option requiring specialized work experience, you must include on your application a clear and detailed description of your qualifying technical experience. Vagueness or omissions will not be interpreted in your favor.

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.
3. 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 Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. This information is also available here. You must pay the required evaluation fee.
4. If you expect to complete the educational requirements by December 31, 2005, you can be admitted to the written test. If you pass the written test, you will not be considered for appointment until you submit proof of successful completion of the education requirements to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at the time of the employment review.
5. These positions require travel. At the time of interview you will be required to verify that you have a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State or otherwise demonstrate your ability to meet the transportation needs of the job.
6. If you are appointed to a position at a State fish hatchery, you must obtain a New York State commercial driver's license with appropriate amendments within six months of the date of appointment.
7. If you are appointed to a position in a marine environment you are required, within one year of appointment, to successfully complete a U.S. Coast Guard or Power Squadron small boat handling and navigation skills training course or equivalent.

THE POSITIONS: These positions exist in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Currently there are 11 Fish and Wildlife Technician 1 vacancies, all located in New York State Fish hatcheries. There are currently 41 Fish and Wildlife Technician 2 vacancies, at various locations throughout the state.

DUTIES: As a Fish and Wildlife Technician 1, you might conduct fish propagation activities, including securing eggs and milt, and fertilizing, incubating, rearing and distributing fish stock; conduct biological surveys using various types of equipment to obtain samples of biota, water, soil, sediment, etc; record basic data from field samples, including identification of biota and measurements taken on samples; conduct user surveys and compile, summarize, prepare, and proof resulting data; construct and repair habitat improvement structures and equipment utilized; and conduct checks for compliance with conditions of minor agency permits.

As a Fish and Wildlife Technician 2, you might supervise, coordinate and assist with the collection of biological, water, and soil specimens for identification, abundance, size and quality; compile and summarize data collected from such sample collections/surveys; supervise the construction and repair of habitat structures; respond to nuisance wildlife complaints; coordinate and supervise deer and waterfowl check stations; assist in the preparation of media brochures; schedule, develop, and display public presentations; conduct field investigations to determine compliance with conditions of environmental permits; coordinate deed and tax map reviews related to wetlands; and determine wetland boundaries based on field examination for routine cases.

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:

For Examination Numbers 24-546 and 24-519:

• Operation of mechanical devices – These questions test for knowledge of the operation of various types of mechanical devices such as gears, pulleys, levers, valves, and similar types of mechanical equipment.
• Freshwater fisheries, wildlife, and marine biology, ecology, and management – These questions test for a knowledge of common freshwater fish, wildlife and marine species found in New York State. Topics may include biological characteristics; diseases; population parameters; habitat needs, protection, and manipulation; food requirements; reproductive needs and behavior; seasonal behavior; life stages; impact on human life; harvest control; species propagation and stocking; and basic practices and equipment used in species management activities.
• Understanding and interpreting written material related to freshwater fish, wildlife, and marine species – These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material. All information required to answer these questions will be contained in the reading selections.
• Office record keeping – These questions test your ability to perform common office record keeping tasks. The test consists of two or more "sets" of questions, each set concerning a different problem. Typical record keeping problems might involve the organization or collation of data from several sources; scheduling; maintaining a record system using running balances; or completion of a table summarizing data using totals, subtotals, averages and percents.

In addition to the above, for Examination Number 24-546:

• Fish Culture – These questions test for basic knowledge of hatchery fish culture, including the care of fish stocks, recognition of disease problems, and the biology of the fish species involved.

In addition to the above, for Examination Number 24-519:

• Communicating and interacting with the public – These questions test a candidate's understanding of techniques for communicating effectively with individuals and community groups. Topics may include participating in public meetings, presenting and clarifying agency programs, informing the public and the regulated community about topics of concern, dealing with the general public, expressing sensitivity to citizens' concerns, and representing the agency or program in an appropriate manner.
• 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.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Download examination application OC-APP form; or
• Email examinfo@cs.state.ny.us to request OC-APP forms; or
• Obtain an OC-APP form from a State agency or facility personnel/business office; or
• Request an OC-APP form by calling the Department of Civil Service in Albany (518) 457-6216; New York City (212) 961-4326; or Buffalo (716) 858-8473.

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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) 457 5483 if taking the test in Albany; (518) 457-6556 for New York City Test Center; (518) 457 7022 for all other Test Centers.

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) 457-3416 or TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) (518) 457-8480.

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) 457-7022 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.

S2/TB2 MEL-exd
Issued: 7/29/05