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

Senior Engineering Materials Chemist

* Due to the size of the candidate population for this test date, you may be assigned to either Saturday, December 6, 2014, or Sunday, December 7, 2014, to take your test. Your admission notice will tell you where and when you are scheduled to appear. You cannot request a day or time in advance or change your scheduled day or time.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before December 6, 2014, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Transportation and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55 b/55 c service as an Engineering Materials Analyst Trainee, Engineering Materials Analyst, Principal Engineering Technician (Soils), Principal Engineering Technician, or Engineering Geologist.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before September 6, 2014, 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 service as an Engineering Materials Analyst, Principal Engineering Technician (Soils), Principal Engineering Technician, or Engineering Geologist, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

Important: As the processing fee is non-refundable, verify that you entered the correct examination number and title on your online or paper application prior to submitting. If you apply online, you should immediately review your email confirmation notice to verify that you applied for the correct examination. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT received by the Department of Civil Service. No late applications will be accepted after the filing deadline has passed.

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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. Analytical chemistry, including techniques, equipment, and procedures for inorganic and organic analysis - These questions test for knowledge of general principles of chemical analysis, including the various techniques used in the chemical analysis of both organic and inorganic materials and the operating principles and characteristics of the analytical equipment used.
2. Testing of engineering materials by instrumental and analytical methods - These questions test for knowledge of analytical techniques, practices, and equipment used in the evaluation of materials and supplies related to engineering projects.
3. Evaluation of engineering materials test results, including statistical analysis and the preparation of technical reports - These questions test for knowledge of the proper techniques and methods used to organize, analyze, and report various types of materials test data and information; the fundamental concepts, terminology, and computations involved in the statistical evaluation of materials test results; and the proper organization and presentation of written technical reports.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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 Senior Engineering Materials Chemist, you would perform complex chemical and physical tests of engineering materials. You would make quantitative and qualitative analyses, and calculate and record all findings; instruct and supervise personnel in testing methods and procedures; act as a specialist on various materials; assist in preparing new specifications, and develop and revise materials quality assurance programs and procedures. You might also be called upon to devise new testing procedures and apparatus. You would perform the full range of supervisory duties over subordinate positions, which includes preparing employee performance evaluations.

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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 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, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier 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

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 provide equal opportunity. Persons with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in an examination must note this on their application. Further information is available from the Test Administration Unit of the Department of Civil Service. In the Albany area, call 518-457-2487 [press 2, then press 2]. Outside of the Albany area, call toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 2]. For TDD services, call NY Relay at 711 (requires a fee) or 1-800-662-1220.

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

If you have applied to take a written test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this written test, you must notify each of the local jurisdictions 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. For your convenience, contact information for all local civil service agencies is available on our website at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local.cfm

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.

S2/TC3 SEH-vla
Issued: 9/19/14

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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