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

Long Term Care Advocacy Assistance Specialist 1/2

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 March 9, 2013, you must have:

For Number 25-605: Four years of professional experience in advocacy or elder rights programs that primarily serve older adults or persons* with disabilities living in long-term care facilities. Your experience must have included advocacy on behalf of the rights of residents of residential care facilities, training or coordination of training, working with volunteers, and organization and coordination with community groups.

For Number 25-637: Five years of professional experience in advocacy or elder rights programs that primarily serve older adults or persons* with disabilities living in long-term care facilities. Your experience must have included advocacy on behalf of the rights of residents of residential care facilities, training or coordination of training, working with volunteers, and organization and coordination with community groups.

Substitution: A bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, gerontology, public administration, or health administration may be substituted for two years of the required experience. A master's degree or higher in social work, counseling, psychology, gerontology, public administration, health administration, or a juris doctorate may be substituted for one additional year of the required experience.

Important: At the time of appointment the candidate, and any member of his or her immediate family, must be free of any conflict of interest including: any direct involvement in the licensing or certification of a long-term care facility or of a provider of a long-term care service; any ownership or investment interest (represented by equity, debt, or other financial relationship) in a long-term care facility or a long-term care service; not be employed by, or participating in the management of, a long-term care facility; and does not receive, or have a right to receive, directly or indirectly, remuneration (in cash or in kind) under a compensation arrangement with any owner or operator of a long-term care facility in accordance with Section 712 of the Older Americans Act of 1965.

Notes

1. * An elderly person is one who is 60 years or older, as defined by the Older Americans Act.
2. Qualifying experience in programs for the elderly may have been gained in areas such as: long term care, health care, advocacy, and housing.
3. Programs and services for the elderly must have a preponderance of persons over age 60 in order to be qualifying for this examination, demonstrably at least 75% of the participants, residents, clients, case load, etc. of the program service.
4. If appointed you may be required to successfully complete a 36 hour ombudsman training program. An individual interested in volunteering for the program would be screened and trained through the local ombudsman program in the geographic area in which they live and wish to serve. Persons interested in volunteering to be a certified ombudsman may contact their local program. To find the ombudsman program in their area go to www.ltcombudsman.ny.gov.
5. Background Investigation: Because of the nature of the position there is an investigative screening that may include a thorough character investigation. All convictions must be reported. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor or any falsified or omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.
6. Your degree 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 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 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 New York State Department of Civil Service, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S5MME.
7. Travel Requirements: Appointment to certain positions requires extensive travel within a designated area of assignment. Appointees to these positions may be required to operate a motor vehicle or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job. If the position requires that you operate a motor vehicle, you must possess a driver's license valid in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter. Field work and travel expenses are reimbursed on a fixed schedule.
8. Important: As the processing fee is non-refundable, verify that you entered the correct examination number and title on your online or paper application prior to submitting. If you apply online, you should immediately review your email confirmation notice to verify that you applied for the correct examination. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT received by the Department of Civil Service. No late applications will be accepted after the filing deadline has passed.
9. You may file for these examinations by completing one examination application NYS-APP form or applying on the Internet. Unless you are eligible for a fee waiver, the indicated processing fee must be submitted for each examination listed on your application.
10. Appropriate part time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
11. New York State residence is not required.
12. All Statements made on the application are subject to investigation.
13. Eligible lists from these examinations may be used to fill language parenthetic positions that currently exist or are established during the life of the list. If you are considered for appointment to a language parenthetic position, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in that language. Proficiency must be at a level which will permit you to perform the duties of the position satisfactorily.
14. Credentials will be reviewed at the time of the interview. All statements made on the application are subject to investigation.

The Positions

These positions exist in the New York State Office for the Aging in Albany only.

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Duties

As a Long Term Care Advocacy Assistance Specialist 1, SG-18, under the supervision of a Long Term Care Advocacy Assistance Specialist 2, SG-23, the incumbent would assist local governmental and non-governmental organizations in forming and operating locally based Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs in an assigned region of the state. In addition to planning activities relevant to implementing the Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs you would also oversee, arrange, and conduct training programs for local ombudsman candidates and provide technical assistance and responses to requests for information regarding various aspects of residential long-term care for the elderly and the utilization of volunteers. You would investigate and work to resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, older persons in long-term care facilities. You would monitor and assess programs, provide data analysis, and coordinate programs with other State and federal agencies.

As a Long Term Care Advocacy Assistance Specialist 2, SG-23, under the supervision of a State Ombudsman, you would assist local governmental and non governmental organizations in forming and operating locally based Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs in an assigned region of the state. In addition to planning activities relevant to implementing the Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs you would also oversee, arrange, and conduct training programs for local ombudsman candidates and provide technical assistance and responses to requests for information regarding various aspects of residential long term care for the elderly and the utilization of volunteers. You would investigate and work to resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, older persons in long-term care facilities. The incumbent would plan and conduct research on various long term care issues, write reports and proposals concerning the laws, regulations, and actions impacting the long term care programs and assist the Director Long Term Care Advocacy, M-2, by planning and implementing special projects and initiatives related to residents rights, resident councils and citizens advocacy groups, facility closures, and resident relocation. In addition, the incumbent would supervise and be able to perform all the duties of a Long Term Care Advocacy Assistance Specialist 1.

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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:	For Examination Numbers
	25-605	25-637
1. Educating and interacting with the public - These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individual citizens and/or community groups, to educate or inform them about topics of concern, to publicize or clarify agency programs or policies, to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and to represent one's agency or program in a manner in keeping with good public relations practices. Questions may also cover interacting with others in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service.	X	X
2. Investigative techniques - These questions test for knowledge of the fundamental concepts in the area of field investigation. The questions will cover such areas as: obtaining the cooperation of individuals involved in an investigation, preparing for the investigation and/or interview, investigative principles, interviewing principles and practices, behavior and attitudes of the investigator and others, gathering of data and evidence, and presenting the results of an investigation. Many of the questions are situational in nature and attempt to measure the candidate's ability to apply basic investigative techniques. The questions are generic rather than dealing with investigations in a particular field.	X	X
3. 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.	X	X
4. Principles and practices of staff development and training - These questions test for the knowledge and abilities used to develop and deliver training. They address topics such as the assessment of training needs; instructional design; training methods and techniques; the use of training aids, materials, and technology; motivation; learning theory; classroom management; the evaluation of learning outcomes; and the usage of training-related data.	X	X
5. Program planning and evaluation - These questions test for knowledge of basic concepts and techniques essential to the planning/evaluation function. Questions cover such areas as common strategies for identifying and articulating goals/objectives and establishing priorities; basic quantitative methodologies for establishing standards, analyzing data and making projections/forecasts; and basic concepts involved in the systems approach to administrative analysis. The questions do not require any substantial manipulation of data, nor do they require formal preparation in planning/evaluation or quantitative methods.	X	X
6. Understanding and applying written material based on legal passages - Candidates will be provided with a reading passage taken from a published law or regulation and be required to answer one or more questions based on that passage. The questions may require the candidates to apply the passage to a hypothetical situation or situations described in the question(s) or summarize all or part of the passage. All factual information needed to answer these questions is provided in the reading selections. No prior knowledge of the material is needed to answer these questions correctly. The context of the readings used in the subtest may not necessarily pertain directly to the duties of the positions. The purpose of the subtest's questions is to determine the candidate's ability to read and comprehend written material of a particular style and difficulty. Moreover, knowledge of the subject matter contained in the reading selections is generally not related to answering the questions successfully because all of the information needed can be found in the reading selections.	X	X
7. Supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit towards 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.		X

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

If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.

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 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, 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

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 [press 2, then press 2]. Outside of the Albany area, call toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 2]. 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 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

If you have applied to take a written test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this written 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: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local.cfm

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.

S5/TA1 MME-sac
Issued: 12/21/2012

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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