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

Environmental Educator 1,2,3

* Due to the size of the candidate population for this test date, you may be assigned to either Saturday, December 6, 2014, or Sunday, December 7, 2014, to take your test. Your admission notice will tell you where and when you are scheduled to appear. You cannot request a day or time in advance or change your scheduled day or time.

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 December 6, 2014, you must have:

Either 1. four years of experience in environmental conservation in a professional/technical capacity or professional teaching of environmental education;*
Or 2. two years of the experience described above AND 60 college semester credit hours, including at least 24 college semester credit hours in biology (for the purpose of these examinations, courses that focus on the study of domesticated or farm animals or humans are not qualifying), earth science, ecology, environmental education, environmental science, field natural history, forestry, geology, marine science, natural resources interpretation, or soil science. You MUST submit a list of qualifying courses with your application, including course title, number of semester credits per course, name of college or university, and the date (or expected date) of completion. Applications submitted without a list of courses or transcript will be disapproved;
Or 3. a bachelor���s degree in the biological sciences, environmental education, environmental science, forestry, or natural resources interpretation.

You must also have additional experience in environmental education* as follows:

For Number 25-901: one year.

For Number 25-902: two years.

For Number 25-903: three years, one of which must have been in the administration** of an environmental education program.

Definitions for the purpose of this examination:

* ���Environmental education��� is defined as teaching about or interpreting the natural world, the principles of ecology, natural resources management, and environmental quality management. It deals with the interrelationships of plants, animals, and the non-living environment and emphasizes human interactions with these components.

Examples of Acceptable Qualifying Experience: Experience as a naturalist at a nature setting; an instructor in an environmental education program; or as a designer of environmental education programs for youth organizations such as scouting groups, 4 H clubs, YMCA, etc.

Examples of Non-Qualifying Experience: Experience as a teacher of courses such as chemistry, physics, and biology; as a youth leader who carries out pre-established programs; or as a leader of outings for a conservation organization, etc.

** Administration of an environmental education program must have included responsibility for budgeting, planning, directing, or supervising.

Notes

1. 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: S2KXM.
2. 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.
3. Although promotion examinations are being held, it is expected that appointments will be made as the result of these examinations open to the public.
4. You may file for these examinations by completing one NYS-APP application 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.
5. 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.
6. If you expect to meet the educational requirements by June 30, 2015, you can be admitted to the written test but you cannot be considered for appointment until you submit proof of successful completion of the educational requirements to the New York State Department of Civil Service.
7. Qualifying part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
8. New York State residence is not required.

The Positions

These positions exist in the Department of Environmental Conservation; Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and the Adirondack Park Agency.

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Duties

As an Environmental Educator 1, you would prepare and carry out educational and interpretive programs related to natural resource and environmental quality management. Duties include preparing multi media and written material, conducting personal contact programs for a variety of adult and school audiences, and delivering training programs.

As an Environmental Educator 2, you would supervise educational and interpretive programs. Duties include planning, developing, conducting, and evaluating programs; and selecting, training, and supervising educators, interns, and volunteers who conduct programs.

As an Environmental Educator 3, you would administer a major educational and interpretive program and supporting facilities. Duties include facilities management, fiscal planning, program development and review, and personnel administration. You would manage cooperative programs with other agencies and organizations and serve as an agency liaison with non-profit ���friends��� organizations and other volunteer groups.

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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
	25-901	25-902	25-903
1. Environmental Science and Natural Resource Conservation - These questions test for knowledge in areas such as native plant and wildlife species and habitats; concepts in ecology including the impact of natural and artificial changes on the environment; and conservation problems and practices related to air, soils, water and other natural resources.	X	X	X
2. Environmental Education - These questions test for knowledge of principles and techniques used in developing, implementing, evaluating and modifying environmental education programs including interpretive and educational techniques, concepts and tools; assessing the needs of a particular audience; preparing educational and informational materials, presentations and exhibits; making effective use of nature center property and open spaces; speaking with the public; and ensuring visitor comfort and safety.	X	X	X
3. Educating and interacting with the public - These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individuals 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	X
4. 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	X
5. 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.		X
6. Administration supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and his/her subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.			X
7. Administration - These questions test for knowledge of the managerial functions involved in directing an organization or an organizational segment. These questions cover such areas as: developing objectives and formulating policies; making decisions based on the context of the administrator's position and authority; forecasting and planning; organizing; developing personnel; coordinating and informing; guiding and leading; testing and evaluating; and budgeting.			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.

S2/TA1 KXM-vla
Issued: 9/19/2014

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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