Promotion Examination Open To All Qualified Employees of the New York State Office of General Services

Principal Architect

Back To Top

Minimum Qualifications

On or before April 2, 2011, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Office of General Services and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as an Associate Architect or Building Construction Program Manager 4 AND you must possess a New York State Registered Architect's license and current registration at the time of appointment. If you are not registered at the time of appointment, your name will be inactivated and you will not be certified for appointment until you renew your registration and send a copy to the appointing authority.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before January 2, 2011, 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.

NOTE: If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.

Back To Top

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. Analyzing information in text, data, images, or symbols - These questions will test for the ability to analyze, interpret, and draw reasonable conclusions from information presented in text, data, images, or symbols. Analysis may involve identifying a significant problem or issue; focusing on relevant data and text; identifying trends, relationships, and significant features; assessing relevant alternatives; and suggesting or evaluating possible conclusions. Sample test material for Analyzing information in text, data, images, or symbols(17KB) is available.
2. Logical reasoning - These questions will test for the ability to reason logically by interpreting statements in an accurate and reasonable manner; identifying the logical relationships between related statements; determining the conclusions that can correctly be drawn as a result of information presented; distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information; and applying principles of logic to information provided. Sample test material for Logical reasoning(14KB) is available.
3. Educating and interacting with the public - These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individual citizens and/or community groups, to educate or inform them about topics of concern, to publicize or clarify agency programs or policies, to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and to represent one's agency or program in a manner in keeping with good public relations practices. Questions may also cover interacting with others in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service. Sample test material for Educating and interacting with the public(14KB) is available.
4. Administrative management of work and resources - These questions will test for the ability to provide administrative management, involving oversight of multiple work units, sections, or a multi-level organizational component, by planning, implementing, and evaluating work initiatives; researching and analyzing work demands, strategies, issues, and problems; organizing and scheduling work assignments; monitoring quality, quantity, and timeliness of work; designing and implementing action plans; identifying resources to meet demands and resolve work-related problems; utilizing resources (financial, human, technology, or other) for maximum efficiency and effectiveness; and aligning work plans with organizational mission and function. Sample test material for Administrative management of work and resources(75KB) is available.
5. Administrative supervision of staff - These questions will test for the ability to provide administrative supervision to staff assigned to multiple work units, sections, or a multi-level organizational component, by influencing and developing constructive work relationships with staff, peers, supervisors, customers, and others; successfully communicating and interacting with others for the purpose of accomplishing work; evaluating personal strengths, limitations, and interests against work demands; developing and empowering others to achieve a high level of work performance; providing guidance and training on work-related topics; promoting teamwork; building coalitions; managing conflict; acknowledging and rewarding good work; and modeling professional and ethical behavior. Sample test material for Administrative supervision of staff(56KB) is available.
6. Written expression: preparing written material - These questions test for the ability to present information clearly, accurately, and completely, 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. Sample test material for Written expression: preparing written material(35KB) is available.

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.

Test Guide and Sample Test Material

A General Guide to Written Tests is now available. Sample Test Material for the subject areas described above is also available. You may request a copy of the test guide and sample test material by e-mail at examinfo@cs.state.ny.us or by calling the Exams Information Desk at the Department of Civil Service in the Albany area at 518-457-6216 or outside of the Albany area toll free at 1-877-697-5627.

Back To Top

How To Apply

If you do not receive a confirmation 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 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.

Cell Phones or Electronic/Communication Devices at the Test Site

Do not bring cell phones, beepers, headphones, or any electronic or other communication devices to the test site. The use of such devices at the test site in the test room, hallways, restrooms, building, grounds, or other areas could result in your disqualification.

Issued: 1/14/11

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.

Back To Top