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

Youth Recreation Specialist 1/2

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 April 30, 2017, you must have:

For No. 28-378:

Either 1. a bachelor's degree AND one year of experience working in a physical education or sports oriented recreation program primarily for youth between the ages of 10 and 21;

Or 2. a bachelor's degree or higher in physical education, recreation, leisure studies, outdoor education, health and fitness, therapeutic recreation, recreation management, outdoor/environmental education and camping, leisure recreation program delivery, management leisure studies, outdoor recreation, or in a closely related physical education or recreation degree.

For No. 28-379:

Either 1. a bachelor's degree AND two years of experience working in a physical education or sports oriented recreation program primarily for youth between the ages of 10 and 21;

Or 2. a bachelor's degree in physical education, recreation, leisure studies, outdoor education, health and fitness, therapeutic recreation, recreation management, outdoor/environmental education and camping, leisure recreation program delivery, management of leisure studies, outdoor recreation, or in a closely related physical education or recreation degree, AND one year of experience described in #1 above;

Or 3. a master's degree in the subject areas listed above.

On your application, please list all additional training courses and certifications completed that directly relate to physical education, recreation, leisure studies, outdoor recreation or recreation therapy; e.g., lifeguarding certificate, sports officiating certification, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification or Certified Park and Recreation Professional (formerly Certified Leisure Professional) issued by the New York State Recreation and Park Society. List the name of the course and the offering institution or professional organization for each certification.

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. 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. 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.

Notes

1. Appointees who do not have a Life Guard Certificate at the time of appointment must attain it prior to the completion of the probationary period. Appointees to these positions are required to maintain a Life Guard Certificate for continued employment.
2. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
3. New York State residence is not required.
4. Your degree 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 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 New York State Department of Civil Service, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S1MAV.
5. 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.
6. Background Investigation/Justice Center Review: The names of all prospective employees may be:
   
   • Checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL) maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s);
   • Investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC). 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 will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws;
   and will be:
   
   • Screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees whose names appear on the SCR may be barred from appointment.
   You will be responsible for payment of all required fees.
7. You may file for these examinations by completing one examination application NYS-APP 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.

The Positions

These positions exist throughout the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Job Setting

These positions are located in the Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth within Office of Children and Family Services residential facilities.

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Duties

As a Youth Recreation Specialist 1, you would be responsible for planning, supervising, and coordinating the youth recreation activities in an Office of Children and Family Services residential facility. Up to approximately 40% of your time would be spent in dealing with physical education activities required by NYS Education Department regulations. If assigned to a smaller residential facility, you would serve as the head recreation professional. Under the guidance of facility management, you would also be responsible for the development and direction of the recreation program. You would be expected to promote and maintain a structured environment and be able to physically restrain youth, if required. Training on restraints will be required, and will be provided by the agency. You will also be responsible for data entry, as well as submitting schedules and reports on activities as required.

As a Youth Recreation Specialist 2, in addition to the above duties, if assigned to a large facility, you would be required to supervise other recreation professionals. Up to approximately half of your time would be spent in dealing with physical education activities required by NYS Education Department regulations. You would also oversee the facility recreation programs. You would be expected to promote and maintain a structured environment and be able to physically restrain youth, if required. Training on restraints will be required, and will be provided by the agency.

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Subject of Examination

There will be no written test. If you meet the Minimum Qualifications your education and experience will be evaluated against the general background/critical activities of the position. It is essential that you describe your education and experience as completely as possible when you apply. Ambiguity, vagueness, or omissions will not be decided in your favor. Do NOT send resumes. If you apply using the NYS-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 day for filing.

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 e-mail address, phone number and mailing address current by logging into https://www.cs.ny.gov/home/myaccount.

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How To Apply

If you do not receive a 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.

S1 MAV-vla
Issued: 1/20/2017

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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