Opportunities at Work

Interdepartmental Promotion Examination Open To All Qualified Employees of New York State

Information Technology Assistant

Written Test To Be Held
December 03, 2011
Applications Must Be Submitted or Postmarked By
October 31, 2011

 

Exams Included on This Announcement
Exam Number Exam Title Open to Employees of Salary Salary Grade Fee
36-602 Information Technology Assistant Multiple Agencies $38,612 G-12 $10

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 3, 2011, you must be a qualified employee of New York State and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a position allocated to Grade 6 or higher; AND

Either 1. three college semester credit hours in computer science, computer information systems, or telecommunications (see A & B below);
Or 2. twenty-four hours of vendor training in Help Desk, User Support Operations, or Installation Services. Examples of vendor training include, but are not limited to: the Information Technology Assistant certificate program offered through the NYS & CSEA Partnership for Education and Training; certificates specific to Help Desk, User Support Operations, or Installation Services offered through sources such as Empire KnowledgeBank, Skillsoft, or New Horizons (see C below). Training that is NOT considered qualifying: training in specific software packages; agency specific training; or training not directed at Help Desk, User Support Operations, or Installation Services.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before September 3, 2011, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.

Important

  1. If you are qualifying with coursework under "Number 1," you must include with your application a list of all appropriate computer course(s) showing where you completed the course(s), the number of college semester credit hours obtained, and your grade in the course(s). If you expect to meet the educational requirements by December 31, 2011, you can be admitted to the written test but you cannot be considered for appointment until successful completion of the educational requirements is provided to the hiring agency at the time of interview.
  2. In addition to the three college semester credit hours required to be admitted to this examination, you must have, or must obtain, an additional three college semester credits in computer science, computer information systems, or telecommunications by the completion of the appropriate probationary period. Failure to have a total of six college credits in computer science, computer information science, or telecommunications prior to the end of your probationary period will result in removal from the position.
  3. If you are qualifying for this examination under "Number 2," you must indicate in your application the appropriate training course(s) you have completed, including the date and certificate number, the number of hours, type of training, and from whom the training was obtained.

Vagueness or omissions will not be interpreted in your favor. Failure to provide the required information will result in disqualification.

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. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online by October 31, 2011. Late applications will not be accepted.
  2. The Department of Civil Service does not provide study material for this examination. Civil Service offers candidates information on How to Take a Written Test(pdf173KB) and answers to frequently asked questions for examinations and tests.
  3. Your college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If your college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to the Examination Information Desk of the NYS Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. You must pay the required evaluation fee. If you are applying on the Internet, you must mail the independent verification of equivalency to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S5HXC.
  4. 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 examination application NYS-APP form, you must list all pertinent information on the application. Attach additional sheets if needed.
  5. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.

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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. Principles of providing user support - These questions test for knowledge and skill in working in a user support situation. They cover such subjects as how to communicate effectively with users requesting help; how to deal with different types of situations; troubleshooting techniques; and how to gather, organize and make available technical information needed to provide support.
  2. Computer terminology and concepts - These questions test for basic terminology and concepts that relate to providing user support. They cover such subjects as general computer terminology and concepts, as well as terminology and concepts of various types of computer hardware, software and computer networks. They are not specific to any particular make, model or size of computer system or to any particular application.
  3. Reading and interpreting procedures - These questions test for skill in following and applying written directions expressed as generalized user support procedures. They include such subjects as procedures for referring problems or requests to different units, and procedures for dealing with technical situations that arise in meeting user needs. These instructions are presented with specific rules for applying them, and the information needed to answer the questions is presented in the test booklet. Therefore, training in any particular user support situation is not required.

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 an Information Technology Assistant, you would resolve user problems by communicating with end users and by translating technical problems from end-users to technical support staff. You would install hardware, software, and peripherals; run diagnostic software; utilize mainframe and/or client server software to provide system security access; and accommodate user requests for computer hardware and software.

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How To Apply

This announcement is for viewing purposes only.

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/TC2 HXC-vla
Issued: 9/16/2011

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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