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

Developmental Specialist 2/3

In order to maintain adequate staffing levels in the appropriate hospitals/facilities, you may be assigned to take your test on either Saturday, March 9th or Sunday, March 10th. Your admission notice will tell you where and when you are scheduled to appear. You cannot request a specific date in advance or change your date once it has been assigned.

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 25-608: Permanent New York State certification as a teacher in Special Education OR permanent New York State certification in Pre K through 6 with a severe disabilities annotation or certificate OR professional New York State certification in Students with Disabilities.

For Number 25-609: Permanent New York State certification as a teacher in Special Education OR permanent New York State certification in Pre K through 6 with a severe disabilities annotation or certification OR professional New York State certification in Students with Disabilities; AND one year of post certification education/habilitation experience in the field of special education.

Notes

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Continued employment as a Developmental Specialist 2 or 3 is dependent upon maintenance of a permanent or professional certificate. Loss of certification will result in removal from employment.
4. Information regarding teacher certification should be directed to the New York State Education Department, Office of Teaching Initiatives, 89 Washington Avenue, Room 5N-EB, Albany, New York 12234; or http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/contact.html.
5. Fingerprints and Fees: Fingerprinting is sometimes required at the time of appointment. If so, you may be required to pay the processing fee.
6. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
7. New York State residence is not required.

The Positions

These positions exist in the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

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Duties

As a Developmental Specialist 2 or 3, you would, under general supervision and with independence of judgment and action commensurate with your experience and the position held, primarily participate in the development of individual service plans. You would devise and write basic skills development and training programs of intervention strategies and behavior management techniques. You would directly implement the programs, review ongoing individual performance data, modify programs as needed, and administer evaluations to determine overall progress. Depending on the setting, you may be required to provide training and supervision to lower level Developmental Specialists and other appropriate staff.

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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. Coding information - These questions test for the ability to use written directions to code information accurately. You will be asked to apply one or more sets of coding rules. Complete directions are provided; no previous knowledge of, or training in, any coding system is required.
2. Developing and implementing habilitation plans - These questions test for the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate habilitation plans which address the needs of individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Topics may include assessing needs and strengths; using this assessment to develop individualized habilitation goals and plans; selecting and applying appropriate training methods and behavior modification techniques; helping individuals to achieve goals; and overseeing direct care.
3. Understanding and interpreting written material - These questions test how well you comprehend written material. You will be provided with brief reading selections and will be asked questions about the selections. All the information required to answer the questions will be presented in the selections; you will not be required to have any special knowledge relating to the subject areas of the selections.
4. Understanding individuals with developmental disabilities - These questions test for knowledge and understanding of the characteristics and problems associated with various forms of intellectual and developmental disability, and of techniques which promote the level of functioning of individuals who have been diagnosed with these disabilities.

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.

S1/TB1 SAR-vla
Issued: 12/7/2012

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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