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

Senior Computer Operator

* Salary
$45,018 (CSEA) $54,892 (Bridge Authority) $39,093 (Thruway)

† Due to the size of the candidate population for this test date, you may be assigned to either Saturday, December 10, 2016, or Sunday, December 11, 2016, to take your test. Your admission notice will tell you where and when you are scheduled to appear. You cannot request a day in advance or change your scheduled day.

The majority of these positions require employees to work nights, weekends, and/or compressed work shifts.

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 10, 2016, you must have graduated from high school or have earned a high school equivalency diploma AND at least ONE of the following:

Either 1. at least 12 college semester credit hours in a computer-related field such as Computer Science, Computer Information Technology, Management Information Systems, or Computer Information Systems (see Note #1, below);

Or 2. Successful completion of high school vocational studies related to large scale Computer Information Systems (see Note #2, below) AND at least ONE of the following:

a. six or more college semester credit hours in a computer-related field such as Computer Science, Computer Information Technology, Management Information Systems, or Computer Information Systems; Or

b. six months full-time experience in the operation of a mainframe or medium to large server or complex, multi-variable print production. Use or operation of personal computers or personal printers will NOT be considered qualifying;

Or 3. one year full-time experience in the operation of a mainframe or medium to large server or complex, multi-variable print production (see Note #3, below). Use or operation of personal computers or personal printers will NOT be considered qualifying.

If you expect to meet the education requirements by December 31, 2016, you can be admitted to the written test, but you cannot be considered for appointment until you submit proof of successful completion of the education requirements to the hiring agency at the time of interview.

Notes

1. If you are qualifying for this examination with computer-related coursework under “Number 1”, you must provide the name and location of the college and a list of the courses you have successfully completed with the corresponding number of credit hours either by listing them in the "coursework" section of the online application; in the "remarks" section of the paper application; on a separate piece of paper attached to your application; or by sending a copy of your college transcript to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Agency Building 1, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S1HXC. Failure to include this information may result in the disapproval of your application.
2. If you are qualifying for this examination by completion of vocational studies under "Number 2", you must submit proof of completion to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Agency Building 1, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S1HXC. Failure to include this information may result in the disapproval of your application.
3. If you are qualifying for this examination by experience under “Number 3”, you must clearly describe your qualifying duties in the “Work Experience” section of your application.
4. Your degree, college credit, high school diploma, or equivalency diploma must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college, university, high school, educational institution, or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If your degree, college credit, or high school diploma 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. This information can also be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. 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: S1HXC.
5. If you meet the qualifications for this exam, you may also be interested in competing for Examination No. 26-130, Computer Operator.
6. 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.
7. Although promotion examinations are being held, it is expected that appointments will be made as the result of these examinations open to the public.
8. 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.
9. Fingerprints and fees: Fingerprinting is sometimes required at the time of appointment. If so, you may be required to pay the processing fee.
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.

The Positions

These positions exist in various New York State departments and agencies located throughout the state.

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Duties

As a Senior Computer Operator, you may supervise staff that monitors and controls the operation of data center equipment, monitors mission-critical customer systems, and operates print equipment to provide 24/7 service to customer agencies in conformance with documented procedures. You would create and monitor batch job scheduling/calendar packages for open systems and mainframes. You would ensure official agency policies and procedures are observed and advise management of accomplishments and pending issues. Some positions require employees to work nights, weekends, holidays and/or compressed work shifts.

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.

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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. Operation of computer hardware and peripheral equipment - These questions test for technical knowledge and concepts relevant to information technology and the operation of a computer and associated peripheral equipment. Although the questions asked are not specific to any vendor or any model of computer, the questions on storage media and peripheral equipment cover such subjects as characteristics of tape and disk systems as storage media, basic data communications terms, and the operation of peripheral equipment.
2. Reading and interpreting instructions relating to the execution of computer programs - These questions test for skill in following and applying written directions expressed as generalized operator instructions. You will be presented with generalized operating instructions and specific rules for applying them. All the information needed to answer the questions is presented in the test booklet; training on any particular computer system is not required.
3. 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.
4. Work scheduling - These questions test for knowledge of the principles of computer work scheduling and for skill in applying them. Some of the questions you will be given are based on a generalized work scheduling situation that contains all of the information needed to answer the questions.

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.

Important: The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies may communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include the notification of your examination results and canvassing you for interest in appointment. It will be important for you to keep your email address, phone number and mailing address current by logging into https://www.cs.ny.gov/home/myaccount.

Test Guide

The Department of Civil Service does not provide study material for this examination. Civil Service offers a guide to How to Take a Written Test available at https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/publications/howtotakeawrittentest.pdf() and frequently asked questions for examinations and tests available at https://www.cs.ny.gov/home/faq/.

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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.

S1/TC1 HXC-vla
Issued: 9/23/2016

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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