Senior Motor Vehicle Referee

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.

Promotion examination open to all qualified employees of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before November 4, 2023, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in:

For Exam No. 31-024: a Motor Vehicle Referee or Motor Vehicle Referee (Spanish Language).

For Exam No. 31-025: a Senior Motor Vehicle Referee.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before August 4, 2023, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination..

Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List: After one year of service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

Continued Employment:

1. Admission to the New York State Bar and current registration to practice law in New York State is necessary for continued employment. Disbarment or loss of registration shall result in suspension or termination of your employment.
2. Additional Senior Motor Vehicle Referee vacancies are anticipated which may include language positions. The resulting eligible list will be used to fill those positions. Eligibles must demonstrate proficiency in the language at a level that ensures their ability to perform properly the duties of the position.

The Positions: These positions exist in the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and are located statewide.

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Duties

As a Senior Motor Vehicle Referee, you would oversee Motor Vehicle Referees and support staff; coordinate the scheduling, conducting, recording and documenting of administrative hearings; submit annual budget requests to the Supervising Motor Vehicle Referee; compile periodic reports of activities and narrative summaries of the fines and fees collected; make recommendations for hiring new professional Motor Vehicle Referees; conduct training; hear and decide post-trial motions; ensure quality standards in adjudication programs through observation of hearings, training, and mentoring; communicate with insurance carriers, employers, police officers; attorneys and the public on DMV policies, rules, regulations and procedures; investigates and respond to complaints from third parties and complaints regarding personnel or procedures; and serve on the Standards and Practices Committee to develop and formulate uniform policies, consider interpretation of laws and resolve conflicts. Additionally, you may be called upon to assist in the development of policies and procedures, often involving analysis of relevant statutes and regulations.

As a Supervising Motor Vehicle Referee, you would oversee the Administrative Adjudication Traffic Violations Bureau; coordinate operations of traffic violations offices with other Department programs; direct the management and operation of offices and field staff; determine assignment of personnel and designate geographic regions for Safety Hearings field staff; ensure uniformity of office operations and the Vehicle and Traffic Law and Commissioners Regulations are carried out uniformly and properly; communicate with senior police and court officials in adjudication program matters; investigate and review complaints concerning misuse of discretion by Motor Vehicle Referees; review Appeals Board determinations; recommend changes to existing laws or new legislation; draft and oversee the preparation of legal opinions and interpretations regarding adjudication of traffic violations and the conduct of Safety Hearings; and provide consultation and legal interpretation to other bureaus and offices within the Department and to the public regarding the Vehicle and Traffic Law.

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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	For Examination Numbers
	31-024	31-025
1. Analyzing and evaluating information - These questions test for the ability to analyze, interpret, and draw reasonable conclusions from information presented in text, data, images or symbols. This may involve identifying a significant problem or issue; focusing on relevant data and text; identifying trends, relationships, and significant features; assessing relevant alternatives; suggesting or evaluating possible conclusions; and applying logical principles to information provided. You should bring with you a hand-held battery- or solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use the calculator function on your cell phone.	X	X
2. Working and interacting with others - These questions test for knowledge of how to effectively approach work and maintain professional relationships with others in the workplace. Each question presents a situation and a number of possible approaches for handling it. Question topics may include working with supervisors and coworkers, interacting with members of the public, handling conflict, and managing workplace demands and priorities. The questions are not specific to any job title or place of work.	X	X
3. Understanding and applying administrative principles - These questions test for knowledge of how to effectively manage and direct an organization or an organizational segment. These questions cover such areas as developing objectives, formulating policies, making decisions, forecasting and planning, developing personnel, organizing and coordinating work, communicating information, providing leadership, and delegating authority and responsibility.	X	X
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.	X
5. Preparing reports and official documents - These questions test for the ability to prepare reports and other official documents for use within and among governmental agencies, in legal or regulatory settings, or for dissemination to the public. Some questions test for a knowledge of grammar, usage, punctuation, and sentence structure. Others test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, to use the proper tone, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly.	X	X
6. Understanding and interpreting written material - These questions test how well you comprehend written material. You will be provided with brief reading selections and will be asked questions about the selections. All the information required to answer the questions will be presented in the selections; you will not be required to have any special knowledge relating to the subject areas of the selections.		X
7. Administrative supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and their subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.		X

Test Guide & Sample Test Material: A General Guide to Written Tests is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm. Sample Test Material for the subject areas described above is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/sampletestmat.cfm.

If you pass, your seniority credit(s), if any, will be included in the computation of your final score. Your final score on the eligible list will be determined after adding any wartime Veterans' credits.

Credit For Seniority: Seniority is credited at the rate of one credit for each five-year period (or fraction thereof), excluding the first year of service.

Admission To The Test: If approved for a multiple-choice 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

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.

Religious Accommodation

Most multiple-choice 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 multiple-choice 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 multiple-choice 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 multiple-choice test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this multiple-choice 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.

Eligibility for Examination

To be considered a qualified employee eligible to compete in this examination, you must be employed in, or on leave from, the specified department or agency on a permanent or contingent permanent basis in the competitive class, or in the non-competitive class or labor class if specifically noted on this announcement (or be on an appropriate preferred list), and have the specified time in the specified title or salary grade. You may not compete in a test for a title if you are permanently employed in that title (unless you are still on probation) or in a higher direct line of promotion.

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/TC1 DAG-ctc
Issued: 8/18/23

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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