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

Fire Protection Specialist Trainee/1

*Due to the size of the candidate population for this test date, you may be assigned to either Saturday, October 17, 2015, or Sunday, October 18, 2015, 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 October 17, 2015, you must have:

For Number 26-028:

Either 1: Three years of full-time, paid experience as a firefighter in a fire department, military fire department, or industrial fire brigade. Experience must have been obtained within the last 15 years.

Or 2: Six years of experience as a volunteer firefighter or firefighter trainer. Radio dispatch, administrative or bookkeeping duties are not considered qualifying experience. Experience must be obtained within the last fifteen years. Experience will be verified by the appointing authority if you are considered for appointment.

Upon successful completion of the 12-month training as a Fire Protection Specialist Trainee 1, you will automatically advance to Fire Protection Specialist Trainee 2 at a salary of $41,993. Upon satisfactory completion of the 12-month training as a Fire Protection Specialist Trainee 2, you will be advanced to the full title of Fire Protection Specialist 1, without further examination, at a salary of $52,293.

Advanced Placement Option: If appointed from Trainee eligible list No. 26-028, you will enter a two-year traineeship leading to Fire Protection Specialist 1, Grade 18. However, if beyond meeting the minimum qualifications you have one additional year of specialized experience performing one of the following: fire and/or building code inspections and/or enforcement; fire and/or arson investigation; hazardous materials response; technical rescue; or fire instruction AND you have completed coursework offered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services��� Office of Fire Prevention and Control, or equivalent for certification in: Fire Instructor 1 and Hazardous Materials Technician you may be appointed to the Trainee 2 level. You must inform the agency of this experience and coursework at the time of interview. Certification and experience must have been completed within the last 15 years.

An appointee���s performance in the trainee position and in prescribed training and development programs will be observed and evaluated. The prescribed training and development program will include extensive on-the-job training and carefully designed and monitored work experience. An appointee not meeting required standards can be terminated at any time after the initial eight weeks and before completion of the traineeship.

For No. 26-029:

Either 1: TThree years of full-time, paid experience as a firefighter in a fire department, military fire department, or industrial fire brigade. Experience must have been obtained within the last 15 years; ���������

AND

Two years of specialized experience in performing one OR MORE of the following: fire and/or building code inspections and/or enforcement; fire and arson investigation; hazardous materials response; technical rescue; or fire instruction. All experience must have been obtained within the last 15 years. IN ADDITION, you must have completion of the core coursework in all of the following offered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services��� Office of Fire Prevention and Control, or equivalent, qualifying for certification in: Fire Instructor 1 and Hazardous Materials Technician; AND at least two of the following: Fire Investigator 1, Structural Collapse Rescue Technician, Fire Officer 1, Hazardous Materials Advanced Technician, Fire Instructor 2, or certification by the Department of State as a Code Enforcement Official. You must present proof of completion of required certifications at the time of appointment. Certification must have been completed within the last 15 years.������

Or 2: Six years of experience as a volunteer firefighter or firefighter trainer. Radio dispatch, administrative or bookkeeping duties are not considered qualifying experience. Experience must be obtained within the last fifteen years. Experience will be verified by the appointing authority if you are considered for appointment;

AND

Two years of specialized experience in performing one OR MORE of the following: fire and/or building code inspections and/or enforcement; fire and arson investigation; hazardous materials response; technical rescue; or fire instruction. All experience must have been obtained within the last 15 years. IN ADDITION, you must have completion of the core coursework in all of the following offered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services��� Office of Fire Prevention and Control, or equivalent, qualifying for certification in: Fire Instructor 1 and Hazardous Materials Technician; AND at least two of the following: Fire Investigator 1, Structural Collapse Rescue Technician Fire Officer 1, Hazardous Materials Advanced Technician, Fire Instructor 2, or certification by the Department of State as a Code Enforcement Official. You must present proof of completion of required certifications at the time of appointment. Certification must have been completed within the last 15 years.������

Substitution for Experience: College course work in a fire-related field such as fire service technology, fire protection, fire science, fire administration, or fire management may be substituted for up to two years of the required specialized experience at the rate of 30 semester credit hours in fire-related courses being equivalent to one year of the specialized experience. To use this substitution, you must include a list of fire-related courses, and for each course the number of semester credit hours, the name and address of the college, and the date the course was satisfactorily completed. Coursework must have been completed within the last 15 years.

Important: These positions required extensive travel, often overnight, and may include working nights, weekends, and varied shifts. At the time of appointment, and continuously thereafter, you may be required to have a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State.

Notes

1. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
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. Physical/Medical Requirements: A respiratory certification/medical evaluation will be required prior to appointment and the candidate will be responsible for the payment of the clinical laboratory fee. Candidates will be required to demonstrate the ability to be certified for respirator used at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter. To obtain a complete statement of the physical and medical standards write to the Medical Review Unit, NYS Department of Civil Service, 55 Mohawk Street, Suite 201, Cohoes, NY 12047. A medical examination will be required prior to appointment, and you are responsible for payment of the clinical laboratory test fee. Appointees to this position may be required to undergo periodic medical examinations to reassess their ability to perform the essential duties of the position.
4. 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.
5. Your 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 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 NYS Department of Civil Service, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S2LAK.
6. Candidates assigned to the Inspections and Investigations Branch are peace officers and must be qualified to hold such office in accordance with state law. U.S. citizenship is required. Conviction of a felony may bar appointment. AT the time of appointment, you must be a resident of New York State and at least 18 years old.
7. 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.
8. New York State residence is not required.
9. Drug Testing: Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a drug-screening test and are responsible for the clinical lab fee. Failure to meet the standards may result in your disqualification.
10. Psychological Evaluation: Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a psychological evaluation to determine your fitness to perform the essential duties of the position.

The Positions

These positions exist in the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

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Duties

As a Fire Protection Specialist Trainee 1, you would be required to serve a traineeship consisting of classroom training and on-the-job work experience. During your first year, you would be required to obtain certification as a Fire Instructor 1 and Hazardous Materials Technician. Upon successfully completing one year as a Trainee 1, you would be advanced to Fire Protection Specialist Trainee 2. A Fire Protection Specialist Trainee 2 will also participate in classroom training and learn through performing tasks on-the-job. You will also be required to obtain certification in two of the following: Fire Investigator 1, Code Enforcement Official, Structural Collapse Rescue Technician, Fire Officer 1, Hazardous Materials Advanced Technician, or Fire Instructor 2.

After successful completion of the traineeship or by appointment from the Fire Protection Specialist 1 eligible list and depending upon your assignment, your responsibilities would include one or more of the following: developing and executing New York State���s fire, arson, life safety and emergency responder training programs; developing training curriculum, aids and standards; delivering emergency responder and public fire safety training; conducting technical rescue and hazard mitigation operations; inspecting buildings and complex structures to determine compliance with applicable codes, standards and regulations; investigating fires, preparing cases for prosecution and testifying in court. You may also serve as a liaison to county Fire Coordinators; develop and produce fire safety education programs and publications; respond to emergencies and disasters statewide and provide technical assistance; provide consultative services on code compliance issues and fire/life safety improvements; provide staff support to various statewide commissions and councils; and function as a member of the Urban/Technical Search and Rescue Team (UTSAR).���

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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. 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.
2. Fire investigation - These questions test for a knowledge of fire investigation methods, principles, practices, and equipment. The questions cover such areas as the following: fire chemistry and behavior including accelerants and special materials; investigative equipment and procedures; burn patterns and other means of differentiating between arson and accidental fires; properties and characteristics of fires due to various causes, such as electrical, mechanical, chemical, and weather-related; and evidence gathering, court proceedings, applicable laws, and the characteristics and motives of an arsonist.
3. Fire prevention, fire inspections, and fire hazards - These questions test for a knowledge of the methods, principles, practices, and equipment of fire prevention, conducting fire inspections, and dealing with fire hazards. The questions cover such areas as the following: fire prevention campaigns; automatic and other extinguishment systems; alarms; dealing with building owners and managers; characteristics of combustible materials; recognizing proper and improper practices related to fire prevention; and codes and regulations related to fire prevention.
4. Hazardous materials - These questions test for knowledge of the various types, properties, and classifications of hazardous materials, and weapons of mass destruction agents, materials, and methods. They also test for knowledge in such areas as proper methods for storing, transporting, and handling these substances, hazardous material incident management and containment techniques, and the proper response procedures to weapons of mass destruction incidents. The questions are technical in nature and will require you to demonstrate a working knowledge of properties of a variety of toxic substances.
5. 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.
6. Rescue techniques and firefighting practices - These questions test for knowledge of such areas as: rescue techniques; knot-tying; rescue-related tools and equipment; firefighting practices; building materials and construction types; fire behavior characteristics; fire scene size-up; ventilation; extinguishing agents and application procedures; hoses, nozzles, and water streams; hand and power tools; ladders and elevating platforms; self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); fire cause and origin; and aspects of the Incident Management System.

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. Outside of the Albany area, call toll free at 1-877-697-5627. 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.

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/TC1 LAK-vla
Issued: 7/31/2015
��� Revised Material: 8/3/2015
������ Revised Material: 8/5/2015
��������� Revised Material: 8/25/2015

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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