Horticultural Technician 2

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $3,026 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $1,513 annual mid-Hudson adjustment.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before May 22, 2010, you must have:

Either 1. four years of technical experience in horticulture, plant propagation, nursery, or greenhouse work,* which includes plant pest and disease detection and control. This experience must include one year of supervisory experience;

Or 2. an associate's or higher-level degree and two years of technical experience in horticulture, plant propagation, nursery, or greenhouse work,* which includes plant pest and disease detection and control;

Or 3. a bachelor's or higher-level degree in horticulture, agronomy, forestry, or an agricultural related field.

* Experience working in a florist shop is not qualifying.

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 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 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. 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, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S2KXM.
4. A promotion examination is also being 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.
5. Although promotion examinations are being held, it is expected that appointments will be made as the result of these examinations open to the public.
6. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.
7. If appointed as a Horticultural Technician 2, you may be required to acquire and maintain a pesticide applicator certificate.

The Positions

These positions exist in the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Positions exist in Long Island, Niagara Falls, and New York City.

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Duties

As a Horticultural Technician 2, you would, under the general direction of higher level staff, provide general horticultural services to a Parks region, complex garden area, or major garden site or collection; supervise, train, and schedule skilled and semi-skilled employees and volunteers; prepare sketches and schematics for Horticultural Technicians 1 and grounds staff to plant and construct gardens; experiment with a wide variety of plants to determine those most suitable for a site or region; determine regional planting needs, develop propagation schedules, order materials, and supervise propagation of plants, trees, and shrubs for a region or major site; develop and implement integrated pest management systems; advise maintenance and grounds staff regarding plant and grounds care and maintenance; supervise and maintain greenhouses and related equipment; and direct the maintenance and care of a major garden or regional program.

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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. Diagnosing and controlling insects, plant diseases, and plant cultural problems, and using integrated pest management systems - These questions will cover such topics as diagnosing plant diseases, identifying insect and plant cultural problems, and determining the appropriate treatment for such conditions.
2. Familiarity with horticultural species - These questions test for knowledge of various species of plants, trees, and ornamentals used in landscaping, gardening, parks or soil conservation areas, including their characteristics and uses.
3. Principles and practices of horticulture - These questions test for knowledge of the basic principles and practices of horticulture. The topics may include planting; feeding; propagating; cultivating; maintaining trees, shrubs, plants, and lawns; and recognizing and controlling plant pests and diseases.
4. 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.

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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 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.

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 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 518-457-2487 [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.

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 518-474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 1].

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 518-474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 1], 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.

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/TB2 KXM-sac
Issued: 3/5/10

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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