Promotion Examination Open To All Qualified Employees of the New York State Department of Health

Health Program Investigation Specialist 1

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before June 4, 2011, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Health and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as follows:

For Number 36-529:

Either A. as a Senior Investigator;

Or B. as a Senior Medical Conduct Investigator, Senior Medical Conduct Investigator (Spanish Language), Narcotic Investigator 1, or Narcotic Investigator 1 (Spanish Language).

For Number 36-530:

Either A. as a Health Program Investigation Specialist 1;

Or B. as a Supervising Medical Conduct Investigator or Narcotic Investigator 2.

For Number 36-531:

Either A. as a Health Program Investigation Specialist 2;

Or B. as a Health Program Investigation Specialist 1, Principal Medical Conduct Investigator, Supervising Medical Conduct Investigator, or Narcotic Investigator 2.

IMPORTANT: Because exposure to potentially hazardous substances may be involved in some of these positions, candidates who accept appointment may be required to wear personal protective equipment, undergo pre-employment and periodic health evaluations, and receive specific immunizations.

These positions require field work. Extensive overnight travel may be required. Candidates considered for some positions within the Department of Health will be required to possess a valid New York State driver's license at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter; candidates for other positions will have to demonstrate their continued capacity to meet the transportation needs involved in carrying out their work responsibilities.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before March 4, 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.

Eligibles who meet the "B" qualifications and who are subsequently appointed to an "A" title may request to have their name added to the "A" list when they have the one year of service required for appointment by writing to: New York State Department of Civil Service, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, New York, 12239. Attention: Section 5.

Order of Certification

The order of certification of these eligible lists will be:

1. "A" eligibles
2. "All" eligibles

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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:	For Examination Numbers
	36-529	36-530	36-531
1. Investigative techniques - These questions test for knowledge of the fundamental concepts in the area of field investigation. The questions will cover such areas as: obtaining the cooperation of individuals involved in an investigation, preparing for the investigation and/or interview, investigative principles, interviewing principles and practices, behavior and attitudes of the investigator and others, gathering of data and evidence, and presenting the results of an investigation. Many of the questions are situational in nature and attempt to measure the candidate's ability to apply basic investigative techniques. The questions are generic rather than dealing with investigations in a particular field.	X
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.	X
3. Advanced investigative techniques - These questions test for knowledge of the more complicated and technical aspects of field investigations. The questions will cover such areas as: interviewing principles and practices, investigative principles, sources of information and reporting methods commonly used in field investigations, securing statements, rules of evidence and evidence collection, preparing cases for court or legal hearings, and testifying in the courtroom or in hearings. Many of the questions are situational in nature. The questions are generic rather than dealing with investigations in a particular field.	X	X	X
4. Evaluating information and evidence - These questions test for the ability to evaluate and draw conclusions from information and evidence. Each question consists of a set of facts and a conclusion based on the facts. The candidate must decide if the conclusion is warranted by the facts.	X	X	X
5. 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.	X	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	X	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 his/her 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	X
8. Administration - These questions test for knowledge of the managerial functions involved in directing an organization or an organizational segment. These questions cover such areas as: developing objectives and formulating policies; making decisions based on the context of the administrator's position and authority; forecasting and planning; organizing; developing personnel; coordinating and informing; guiding and leading; testing and evaluating; and budgeting.		X	X

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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Duties

As a Health Program Investigation Specialist 1, you would evaluate and implement policies, procedures, and systems for the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of fraud and abuse or violations of Public Health Law in programs regulated by the Department of Health. You would supervise subordinate investigators by assigning cases, reviewing reports, tracking the status of investigations, providing training and technical assistance, and evaluating staff performance. You would also prepare written reports on the status of assigned cases and personally coordinate and conduct difficult investigations.

As a Health Program Investigation Specialist 2, you would administer and coordinate the activities of an investigation unit in charge of preventing, detecting, investigating, and prosecuting fraud and abuse or violations of the Public Health Law in programs regulated by the Department of Health. You would develop and design new systems for eliminating potential fraud and abuse, develop uniform reporting systems that document program activity, and develop policies and procedures for conducting and reporting investigations. You would set, review, and change priorities of investigative staff under your supervision to accomplish program goals and objectives. You would also coordinate investigation activities with other law enforcement units and personally coordinate difficult investigations.

As a Health Program Investigation Specialist 3, in addition to the above, you would be responsible for the overall management of a statewide investigation unit.

Test Guide

A Guide to the Written Test for the State and Local Investigators Series is available. You may request a copy of the test guide by email 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.

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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.

S5/TC1 MEL-vla
Issued: 3/18/11

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.

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