NEW YORK STATE
Department of Civil Service Announces
Interdepartmental Promotion Examination Open to All Qualified Employees of New York State

For Promotion in State Departments, Facilities and Agencies
1. Within Promotion Units 2. Within Entire Departments 3. To Other Departments

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES OF NEW YORK STATE ONLY
Because this is a promotion examination, we will not accept applications from the general public.

THE POSITIONS: This examination is being held to fill positions in those titles listed above. These positions exist in the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Vacancies occur frequently at various locations throughout the state.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: On or before May 14, 2005, you must be a qualified employee of New York State and have had one month of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Developmental Aide, Developmental Aide (IRM), Developmental Disabilities Secure Care Treatment Aide 1, Licensed Practical Nurse, Mental Health Therapy Aide, Secure Care Treatment Aide, Teaching Assistant, Training Aide, or in a language parenthetic in any of the above titles. If you have one month of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a traineeship in one of these titles, you also qualify to take this examination.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before April 14, 2005, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.

If you are permanently appointed to a qualifying title between March 21, 2005 and April 14, 2005, you must contact your facility personnel office if you want to file an application to take this examination.

QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR APPOINTMENT FROM THE ELIGIBLE LIST: After one year of service at the full performance level in a title listed under the minimum qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list. Successful candidates who are trainees must complete the traineeship and serve one year at the full performance level to be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

NOTES:

1. This examination will be held on two dates. You will be scheduled for either Saturday or Sunday based on discussion with your supervisor. Scheduling will take into consideration agency staffing levels, pass days, Saturday religious observance and employee personal requests. Persons residing in the same household must be scheduled to take the examination on the same date.
2. OMH and OMRDD employees who want to request a schedule change must first obtain approval from their supervisor, then notify their facility personnel office. Your facility personnel office must notify the main office of this scheduling change.
3. Appointment to a Grade 11 position will not remove your name from consideration for appointment to a Grade 12 position.
4. The list established as the result of examination No. 34-753 will be used to fill any language parenthetic positions, other than Spanish language, that currently exist or are established in these titles during the life of the list.
5. If you pass the written test and are considered for appointment to any language parenthetic title, you will be required to demonstrate your proficiency in that language. Proficiency must be at a level that will assure your ability to perform the duties of the position properly.
6. For additional information about these examinations, please first refer to the list of frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) available on the Department Of Civil Service, OMH, or OMRDD websites or from your facility personnel office, or contact your facility liaison. For further questions, you may also telephone (518) 457-5209, or email ParaMentalHygiene@cs.state.ny.us.

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. Care and treatment of individuals with psychiatric/developmental disabilities in a facility or community setting – These questions test for knowledge and understanding of such areas as observation, management, modification, and documentation of behavior; crisis prevention and intervention; participation in the development of treatment/care plans; implementation and documentation of treatment goals; concepts of the treatment team; assisting in the coordination of services; and supervising staff in the delivery of treatment intervention.
2. Characteristics of the major psychiatric and developmental disorders – These questions test for knowledge and understanding of the characteristics, conditions, and needs of the populations served, including children, adolescents, adults, geriatric individuals, and individuals in secure settings. Topics may include how family, facility, community, culture, and society affect the population served; and growth, development, and behavior of individuals with psychiatric and developmental disabilities.
3. Health and safety – These questions test for knowledge and understanding of basic nursing care and safety principles. Topics may include first aid, common effects of medication, physical safety, fire safety, and security regulations.
4. 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.
5. Social aspects of care – These questions test for knowledge and understanding of such areas as habilitative and rehabilitative techniques including normalization, recovery, preparation for community living, socialization, vocational and prevocational programs, and leisure and recreation activities; advocacy on behalf of the population served; and supervision of staff who provide direct care.

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

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.

The NYS Department of Civil Service reserves the right to reject for lateness or to accept applications filed after the advertised filing period. All statements you make on your application are subject to investigation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXAMINATION: To be eligible to compete in this examination, you must be employed in 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.

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, call (518) 457 5483 if taking the test in Albany; (518) 457-6556 for New York City Test Center; (518) 457 7022 for all other Test Centers.

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.

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: In addition, 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 enjoy equal opportunity. Persons with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in an examination must note this on their applications. Further information is available from the Special Arrangements Unit of the Department of Civil Service at (518) 457-3416 or TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) (518) 457-8480.

MULTIPLE EXAMINATIONS SCHEDULED FOR THE SAME DAY: With the exception of written tests announced by New York City, if you have applied to take a written test announced by a local jurisdiction (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this written test, you must call (518) 457-7022 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.

S1/TB3 DMC-exd
Issued: 2/11/05