New York State Department of Civil Service Announces
Open-Competitive Examination Open to the Public

Audiovisual Production Specialist

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 February 5, 2011, you must have four years of (full time equivalent) hands-on experience in the operation of a variety of audiovisual production equipment which must include video cameras, lighting, microphones, and non-linear video editing software; AND responsibility for creating and maintaining various audiovisual digital files to produce multiple end products which must include broadcasts, web presentations, videos, and CD/DVD/Blu Rays. A bachelor's degree in video and/or TV and/or film production may be substituted for two years of the experience.

Important: When applying online or on an NYS-APP, you must provide an accurate and clear description of your qualifying experience to show how you meet the minimum qualifications. We cannot interpret omissions or vagueness in your favor.

Notes

1. 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: S4DMG.
2. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.
3. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
4. New York State residence is not required.

The Positions

These positions exist within a variety of New York State agencies. At present there are three vacancies in Albany, one in West Brentwood, and one in Staten Island.

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Duties

As an Audiovisual Production Specialist, you would produce professional quality audiovisual projects in a studio setting or in the field. You would meet with requestors to determine and define production goals and requirements. You would set up and operate video cameras, lighting, sound equipment and determine appropriate backgrounds, sets and staging; edit audio and visual recordings; and assist in other post-production work such as animation, computer graphics, and digital video effects. You would prepare, organize, and maintain audiovisual digital files for a variety of end products. You would be responsible for maintaining equipment and supplies, making minor equipment repairs to keep equipment in good operating condition, managing inventory, and serve as a training resource. You may do story boarding.

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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. Advising and interacting with others - These questions test for the ability to interact with other people, to gather and present information, and to provide assistance and advice in a courteous and professional manner.
2. 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.
3. Operation and maintenance of televisions, videotape recording systems and other audio visual equipment - These questions test for knowledge of the operating principles involved with television, video tape, and related audio-visual systems and equipment, including appropriate troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair procedures for these systems and equipment.
4. Producing audiovisual materials - These questions will test familiarity with common principles, techniques, and equipment related to producing audiovisual materials. Questions may cover such aspects as determining backgrounds, sets and staging; using video cameras, lighting, and sound equipment; and post-production work, including editing audio and visual recordings, computer graphics, and digital video effects.

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.

S4/TB2 DMG-sac
Issued: 11/19/10

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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