Promotion examination open to all qualified employees of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Forest Ranger 2/3

†Due to the size of the candidate population for this test date, you may be assigned to either Saturday, June 10, 2017 or Sunday, June 11, 2017 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 June 10, 2017, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and have had permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as follows:

For Number 37-816: one year as a Forest Ranger 1.*

For Number 37-817:

Either A. one year as a Forest Ranger 2;*

Or B. three years as a Forest Ranger 1.**

*If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before July 10, 2016, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.

**If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before July 10, 2014, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.

Only the title(s) listed is qualifying for this examination(s).

Qualifying Experience for Appointment from the Eligible List

Successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list as follows:

For No. 37-816: After one year of service as a Forest Ranger 1.

For No. 37-817:

Either A. after one year of service as a Forest Ranger 2;

Or B. after three years of service as a Forest Ranger 1.

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, once they have completed the one year of service in the “A” title. The request should be submitted in writing to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Albany, NY 12239; Attention: S2KXM.

Order of Certification

The order of certification of this eligible list will be:

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

IMPORTANT: Unless waived, you must pay the non-refundable processing fee. For information on fee waivers, visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc/appinfo.cfm##Fee. It is important that you 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.

Notes

1. You must be a New York State resident and citizen of the United States at time of appointment. You must maintain New York State residency pursuant to the Public Officers Law.
2. You must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.

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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
	37-816	37-817
1. 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
2. Preparing written material in a police setting - These questions test for the ability to prepare the types of reports that police personnel write. Some questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately. They consist of restatements of information given in note form. You must choose the best version from each set of four choices. Other questions test for the ability to organize paragraphs. They consist of paragraphs with their sentences out of order. For each of the paragraphs you must choose, from four suggestions, the best order of the sentences.	X	X
3. Educating and interacting with the public - These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individuals 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.	X	X
4. Emergency incident field supervision and management - These questions test for the ability to arrive at sound management decisions and command orders at a variety of emergency incidents. These management decisions must be made based upon existing Division policies, Standard Operating Procedures, established Health and Safety Guidelines, labor/management guidelines and best management practices. Questions relating to specific protocols, organizational structure and Division responsibilities may be included.	X	X
5. Environmental Conservation, Criminal Procedure, Penal and related laws, rules and regulations as applied to forest and forest land use - These questions are designed to test for knowledge of the laws in effect on January 1, 2017 that forest rangers may encounter in the course of their day-to-day work related activities including Environmental Conservation Law as related to Forest Protection, Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law, and other laws, rules and regulations relevant to the duties of forest rangers in New York State.	X	X
6. 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
7. Planning, supervising and administering police programs and activities - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in managing an organizational segment of a police department in New York State and directing the activities of subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. These questions cover such areas as planning, controlling, directing, organizing, and coordinating the activities of the organizational section. Questions also cover the personal interactions between an upper-level supervisor and subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives and deal with issues of work assignments, job performance, and training.		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 Forest Ranger 2, you are a first-line police supervisor, who would supervise the day-to-day activities of all assigned subordinate staff within a geographic zone or area of programmatic responsibility in addition to performing many of those same activities and tasks. You would schedule and assign work to staff; provide necessary training; ensure compliance with policy and procedures; and monitor assigned employees’ progress and evaluate performance. You would coordinate subordinate staff activities during natural or man-made emergencies and disasters, including serving as Incident Commander on complex incidents; and monitor permit compliance, inspections, investigations and other law enforcement actions for the zone. You would assist Forest Ranger 3’s in accomplishing regional goals supporting the Division’s mission and Division Headquarters directed projects as needed, including teaching or supervising at the Division’s training academy. Upon appointment, you would be required to reside in a location within your assigned zone that is acceptable to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

As a Forest Ranger 3, you would manage all subordinate staff activities within an assigned geographical area or area of programmatic responsibility. You would be responsible for ensuring compliance with Department policies and procedures; representing the division in meetings with local officials, agencies, and groups; manage funding; distributing equipment; and hiring personnel. You would guide, direct, supervise, and evaluate performance of subordinate personnel. You would report to the Division Headquarters. Upon appointment, you would be required to reside in a location that is acceptable to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Important: The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies may communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include the notification of your examination results and canvassing you for interest in appointment. It will be important for you to keep your email address, phone number and mailing address current by logging into https://www.cs.ny.gov/home/myaccount.

Test Guide

A Guide to the Written Test for the Police Supervisors and Investigators Series is available on the Department website at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/statetestguides.cfm.

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How To Apply

If you do not receive a 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. Outside of the Albany area, call toll free at 1-877-697-5627. 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.

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 considered a qualified employee eligible to compete in this examination, you must be employed in, or on leave from, 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/TC1 KXM-vla
Issued: 3/24/2017

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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