New York State of Opportunity

Tree Pruner Supervisor

Written Test To Be Held
July 16, 2022
You may be assigned to either Saturday or Sunday to take your test.
You cannot request or change your scheduled day.
Applications Must Be Submitted or Postmarked By
June 01, 2022

 

Exams Included on This Announcement
Exam Number Exam Title Salary Salary Grade Non−Refundable Processing Fee (Waivers available)
26-778 Tree Pruner Supervisor $41,953 SG-11 $25

Please be advised that effective December 1, 2021 the New York State Department of Civil Service has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination/testing policy for in-person examinations administered at a New York State test center. For more information, you can access the full policy on the Department of Civil Service website.

Due to current testing space limitations, candidates may need to travel to one of the following test sites to take this examination: Albany, Buffalo, Nyack, Port Jefferson, Poughkeepsie, Syracuse, and an additional downstate location. Candidates will be notified of their test site location on their admission notice.

If you previously applied for this examination scheduled for April 25, 2020, which was postponed, you do NOT need to reapply. Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the qualifications to take the examination. Additional information will be sent to previous applicants via email.

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 *July 16, 2022, you must have two years of experience in tree removal and tree care.** Tree work experience must include elevated access by tree climbing with safe use of ropes and harness systems OR by aerial lifts, and use of roping or rigging systems to safely execute tree removal work.

**For the purpose of this examination, tree removal and tree care is defined as pruning of trees, applying pesticides (herbicides), identification of hazardous trees, OR various tree maintenance/arboricultural activities.

NOTES:

  1. At the time of appointment and continuously thereafter, appointees will be required to have a Class A or Class B Commercial Driver's License with no air brake restrictions.
  2. Appointees to these positions at the New York State Department of Transportation will be required to obtain a large dump certification and a "one-person snow plowing" certification during the probationary period. Failure to obtain and maintain these certifications will result in termination. Specific time frames for obtaining the certifications will be discussed at the job interview.
  3. You may be required to obtain and maintain a Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License or a Certified Commercial Pesticide Technician's License from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
  4. You may be required to obtain and maintain a line clearance certification.
  5. 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.
  6. Physical/Medical Requirements: Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at:http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm. A medical examination will be required prior to appointment. Appointees to this position may be required to undergo periodic medical examinations to reassess their ability to perform the essential duties of the position.
  7. You may be required to perform work while on ladders up to 14 feet high, on lift platforms 25-30 feet high, and on buckets attached to trucks up to 65 feet high. You may also be required to climb trees up to 80 feet high using climbing ropes and harness systems. You will be required to park on the shoulder of the highway, working next to free flowing traffic passing at highway speeds that can exceed 65 mph. You will be required to work in all types of conditions, including inclement weather such as extreme wind, cold and heat as well as rain and snow storms.
  8. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
  9. New York State residency is not required.

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Duties

As a Tree Pruner Supervisor, you would supervise tree pruners or maintenance workers in tree work involving the removal of trees, portions of trees and shrubs as encountered along highways. Tree work may include elevated access by tree climbing with safe use of climbing ropes and harness systems as well as by aerial lifts with appropriate fall prevention/protection systems. You will be responsible for the planning of tree removal method and sequence, communication and implementation of safe operating procedures to protect crew, public, and proximate property/objects during the work and for cutting procedures to preserve trees not removed during trimming/pruning. Practices involved may include rigging, roping, climbing, use of aerial lifts, use of chain saws and other cutting equipment for pruning and tree removal, pesticide (herbicide) application, and other activities to address hazard trees along the highway. You would supervise the operation of various equipment and keep records of time, material, equipment, and completed work. You would be responsible for the safety of your crews. During snow and ice season, you may be required to operate large dump trucks, perform one person snow plowing, and operate other pieces of highway equipment. You may also be required to supervise these snow and ice activities. You would be required to work outside your regular work hours.

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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. Tree felling, removing, spraying, and trimming - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in pruning, trimming, felling, and removing trees; proper spraying procedures for applying pesticides; and safe operating procedures.
  2. Tree and shrub planting, cultivating, transplanting, and pruning, including identification and characteristics of trees common to NYS - These questions test for knowledge of the principles, practices, and proper techniques involved in planting, cultivating, transplanting, and pruning trees and shrubs; and the ability to identify various types of trees and woody plants common to New York State, including their characteristics and site requirements.
  3. Tools, equipment, terminology, and safety practices related to the care and removal of trees - These questions test for knowledge of the proper use and maintenance of the various types of tools and equipment involved in the care and removal of trees, including safe operating practices.
  4. 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.

Your final score must be 70 or higher in order to pass. Your final score on the eligible list will be determined after adding any wartime Veterans' and Civil Service Law Section 85-a credits.

Note: The Department of Civil Service may administer tests either online or with paper booklets and answer sheets. Online tests may be administered using Remote Proctoring. The announcement will indicate if remote proctoring is being offered. Information on remote proctoring is available on our website at:www.cs.ny.gov/testing/remote-proctoring.cfm.

Admission to the Test: If approved, you will receive an admission notice which will indicate your assigned test date and the way your test will be administered. Your test may be administered with paper and pencil, online at a state test site using a State-provided Chromebook, or online at home on your personal equipment using Remote Proctoring Software. You cannot request to change your scheduled day or request a specific type of test administration.

Applicants are required to have a Personal NY.gov account and keep their email address up to date. The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies will communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include the notification of your test arrangements, 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.

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How To Apply

This announcement is for viewing purposes only.

Important: Unless waived, you must pay the non-refundable processing fee. For information on fee waivers, visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc/appinfo.cfm##Fee. Any past due application processing fees must be paid in full prior to submitting an application. Please email FeeUnitMail@cs.ny.gov regarding inquiries about any past due fee. It is important that you 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.

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 unlawful 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, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law, 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.

Other Accommodation

Individuals who apply to take an in-person Civil Service examination and who wish to request an exemption to the Department's COVID-19 vaccination/testing policy due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance, must check the box on the application under "Other Accommodations" and will be required to provide appropriate documentation. Candidates granted an exemption will be offered the opportunity to take the examination via Remote Proctoring - a secure, web-based test delivery method that uses professional test proctors and technology to monitor applicants using a web camera as they complete an examination.

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, email us at AdmissionNotices@cs.ny.gov. Please provide your first and last name, address, and the last four digits of your social security number, and we will provide you with the information you need to attend your written test. If you have an issue other than not receiving your admission notice, please contact our office at (518) 474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627. Please leave a clear concise message and provide your first and last name, last four digits of your social security number and a daytime phone number.

Taking State and Local 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: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local.cfm.

Cell Phones or Electronic/Communication Devices at the Test Site

The use of cell phones, beepers, headphones, or any electronic or other communication devices at your personal testing site or in the test room, hallways, restrooms, building, grounds, or other areas, except as expressly authorized by the Department of Civil Service, could result in your disqualification.

S2/TC3-CAV-dah
Reissued: 5/18/22
*Revised Material: 5/18/22

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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