New York State of Opportunity

Security Officer

Written Test To Be Held
March 4, 2023
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
January 18, 2023

 

Exams Included on This Announcement
Exam Number Exam Title Salary Salary Grade Non−Refundable Processing Fee (Waivers available)
26-906 Security Officer * SG-8 $25
26-907 Security Officer (Spanish Language) * SG-8 $25
*Salary
$40,782
$34,798 (Thruway)

Due to the size of the candidate population for this test date, you may be assigned to either Saturday, March 4; Sunday, March 5; Saturday, March 11; or Sunday, March 12 to take your test. Your admission notice will tell you where and when you are scheduled to appear. You cannot request or change your scheduled day.

You must review important information on the New York State Department of Civil Service COVID-19 policy that applies to all candidates sitting for in-person Civil Service examinations being administered at a New York State test center. You can access our full policy on the Department of Civil Service website.

Due to current testing space limitations, candidates may need to travel to a test site to take this examination. Candidates will be notified of their test site location on their admission notice.

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,827 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $975 annual mid-Hudson adjustment.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before March 4, 2023, you must have a New York State Security Guard Registration Number or current Security Guard Photo ID issued by the New York State Department of State (you MUST enter the Registration Number or ID Number on your application) AND:

Either 1. six months of post-Security Guard Registration experience as a Security Guard;

Or 2. six months of experience as a police officer or peace officer;

Or 3. six months of active U.S. military service where you performed security duties on a United States military base or vessel and an honorable discharge or under conditions in the NYS Restoration of Honor Act. Security duties on a United States military base or vessel include working as military police or as security personnel performing foot and motorized patrol, control of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, flight line security, and crime prevention/physical security.

Additional Requirements for Appointment:

  1. Background Investigation: Due to the nature of these positions, there may be an investigative screening which could 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 merit, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.
  2. Language Proficiency: If you pass the examination and apply to a title which requires language proficiency, you must demonstrate your language proficiency at a level that will ensure your ability to perform the duties of the position properly. The proficiency test will only be given to enough candidates to fill current vacancies.
  3. Physical/Medical: An evaluation of your physical and medical condition will be done to ensure that you are able to perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include but are not limited to height and weight, speech, vision, hearing, cardiovascular, respiratory system, and neurological health requirements. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm. A medical examination is required prior to appointment, and you are responsible for payment of the clinical laboratory test fee.

Continued Employment:

  1. Continued employment as a Security Officer or Security Officer (Spanish Language) is dependent upon maintaining a current Security Guard Photo ID issued by the NYS Department of State. Failure to maintain this ID will result in removal from employment.
  2. Some positions located in New York City require that appointees meet the requirements for deputization as a Special Patrolman, as described in Title 38, Chapter 13 of the New York City Rules.
  3. At the Department of Health, these positions may be exposed to potentially hazardous substances. Security Officers are scheduled for yearly TB testing.

The Positions: These positions exist in Statewide in the following New York State agencies: State Education Department; Workers' Compensation Board; Department of Labor; Department of Motor Vehicles; Department of Health; and Thruway Authority.

Notes

  1. Travel Requirements: Appointment to certain positions requires extensive travel within an area of assignment. Appointees may need to operate a motor vehicle or have other means to meet the transportation needs of the job. If the position requires that you operate a motor vehicle, you must continuously have a valid New York State driver's license to continue employment. Field work and travel expenses are reimbursed on a fixed schedule. Overnight travel may be required.
  2. If you submit an application for an examination with a language parenthetic, an application will automatically be submitted for you for the non-language examination at no additional cost.
  3. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
  4. New York State residence is not required.

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Duties

As a Security Officer or Security Officer (Spanish Language), you would protect occupants of buildings or offices from outside annoyances and interference by unauthorized persons. You would monitor and maintain security systems and/or conduct scheduled rounds to control access to buildings and restricted areas. You would prevent trespassing, loitering, theft and property damage, making arrests when necessary, and appearing as a witness against persons arrested. You would also assist clients by directing them to appropriate locations, or by providing non-technical information. A Security Officer may inspect building fire and safety equipment, direct people to emergency egress routes and give first aid. A Security Officer may prepare and write reports involving incidents or accidents, and may perform other duties as assigned such as attend administrative hearings as directed to maintain safety and decorum. Appointees may be required to work various shifts and unscheduled overtime, when necessary.

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Subject of Examination

To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass the written test. The written test evaluates your knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in the following areas:

  1. 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.
  2. Following directions (maps) - These questions test your ability to follow physical/geographic directions using street maps or building maps. You will have to read and understand a set of directions and then use them on a simple map.
  3. Applying written information in a safety and security setting - These questions evaluate your ability to read, interpret and apply rules, regulations, directives, written narratives and other related material. You will be required to read a set of information and to appropriately apply the information to situations similar to those typically experienced in a public safety and security service setting. All information needed to answer the questions is contained in the rules, regulations, etc. which are cited.
  4. Test Guide: A Guide to the Written Test for the Safety and Security Series is available on the Department website at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.

    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.

    Admission To The Test: If approved for a written test, 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 or online at a state test site using a state-provided Chromebook. 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.

    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.

    S3/TC1 SXM-rkv
    Issued: 12/20/22

    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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