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

Developmental Specialist 4

Where necessary, the written test will be held on two days to ensure that the hospitals/facilities maintain adequate staffing levels. You may be assigned to take the test on either Saturday or Sunday (December 1 or 2). You cannot request a date in advance or change your date once it has been assigned.

For Promotion in State Departments, Facilities, and Agencies

1. Within Promotion Units
2. Within Entire Departments
3. To Other Departments

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before December 1, 2007, you must be a qualified employee of New York State and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Developmental Specialist 3, Developmental Specialist 2, or Habilitation Specialist 2.
AND
You must possess a permanent or provisional principal's, school administrator's and supervisor's, or school district administrator's certificate issued by the New York State Education Department.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before September 1, 2007, 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 the service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

Notes

1. Continued employment as a Developmental Specialist 4 is dependent upon acquisition of a permanent principal's, school administrator's and supervisor's, or school district administrator's certificate issued by the New York State Education Department. Loss of certification will result in removal from employment.
2. This examination has special minimum qualifications in addition to the usual "time in service requirement." If you are filing on the Internet, please list all pertinent information online. If you are applying on XD-5 Application Card, you must list all pertinent information on the Application Card. Attach additional sheets to your application if needed.

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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. Developing and implementing habilitation plans - These questions test for the ability to develop, implement and evaluate habilitation plans which address the needs of developmentally disabled individuals. Question topics may include assessing consumer needs and strengths; using this assessment to develop individualized habilitation goals and plans; selecting and applying appropriate training methods and behavior modification techniques; helping consumers to achieve goals; and guiding direct care staff in assisting consumers.
2. 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.
3. Interpreting and maintaining client records - These questions test for the ability to work with client records in a human services setting. You will be presented with sample information from a fictional client record or program document, along with instructions on how to interpret and complete this information. You will need to read, interpret, organize, classify and/or complete the information as instructed to answer the test questions included with the selection.

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.

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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.

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 518-457-2487 [press 2, then press 2] in the Albany area, toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 2], or via TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) at 518-457-8480.

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 518-474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 1].

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 518-474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 1], 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.

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.

S1/TB1 KLB-tmc
Issued: 8/31/07

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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