New York State Department of Civil Service Announces Examinations Open to All Qualified Individuals

Employment Counselor

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,302 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $651 annual mid-Hudson adjustment.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before January 31, 2008, you must have:

Either 1: a bachelor's degree and 15 graduate credit hours in a counseling, social work, or psychology major, with a total of six credit hours in TWO of the following areas:

1. Counseling Theory and Practice
2. Group Counseling/Group Dynamics
3. Lifestyle and Career Development
4. Statistics or Tests & Measurements

AND two years (full time equivalent) experience in counseling which MUST include all of the following: establishment of a one-to-one employment counseling relationship, including gathering customer information and relating it to the labor market; the selection and utilization of standardized testing instruments; and the development and implementation of customer employment plans.

Or 2: a master's degree in counseling, social work, or psychology; or 30 graduate credit hours in counseling, social work, or psychology.

If you expect to meet the educational requirements by May 31, 2008, you can apply for these examinations, but you cannot be considered for appointment until you submit proof of successful completion of those requirements to the New York State Department of Labor.

Important

When applying online or on an OC-APP, you must provide all information to show how you meet the minimum qualifications. For education qualifications, include the granting institution, type of degree and/or course name, and credit hours received. For work experience, clearly describe your duties. For these examinations, the following duties will not be considered as qualifying: conducting job seeking or occupational seminars; educational advisement; employment interviewing; interviewing customers for health, insurance, or public assistance benefits, etc.; or case management where the major responsibility is coordination of services.

For No. 28-166 Employment Counselor (Spanish Language): In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, at the time of appointment, you must be able to demonstrate Spanish language proficiency at a level that will ensure your ability to properly perform the duties of the position.

Notes

1. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
2. New York State residence is not required.
3. 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 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, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S4CDT.

The Positions

These positions exist in the New York State Department of Labor. There are vacancies in various locations throughout New York State.

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Duties

As an Employment Counselor, you would provide complete employment counseling services to applicants in need of special assistance in determining and realizing their occupational potentials.

As an Employment Counselor (Spanish Language), you would provide the same services as an Employment Counselor. In addition, you would work with Hispanic customers. You must have proficiency in the Spanish language as spoken in the metropolitan areas of New York State. You must be aware of cultural barriers in relation to employment services for Spanish-speaking customers.

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Subject of Examination

There will be no written test. The test will consist of an evaluation of your education and experience. When you apply, you must provide complete information to show that you meet the minimum qualifications. Do NOT send resumes. If you apply using the OC-APP form and you need more space, attach additional 8??" x 11" sheets following the same format used on the application form. Additional unsolicited information will not be accepted after the last date for filing.

If you meet the Minimum Qualifications you will be sent a supplemental questionnaire to complete and return. The questionnaire will be used to evaluate your education and work experience in such areas as: conducting counseling sessions, utilizing standardized tests, and developing vocational plans against the general background of the position. This questionnaire will be the only basis for rating the examination.

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

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 in 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, marital 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.

S4 CDT-jms
Issued: 10/26/07

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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