New York State of Opportunity

Human Resources Specialist 2 (Benefits)

Written Test To Be Held
January 06, 2018
Applications Must Be Submitted or Postmarked By
November 21, 2017

 

Exams Included on This Announcement
Exam Number Exam Title Open to Employees of Salary Salary Grade Non−Refundable Processing Fee (Waivers available)
38-035010 Human Resources Specialist 2 (Benefits) Civil Service, Department of $71,211 G-23 $20
38-036 Human Resources Specialist 2 (Benefits Contracts) Civil Service, Department of $71,211 G-23 $20
38-037 Human Resources Specialist 4 (Benefits) Civil Service, Department of $85,244 M-2 $25
38-038 Human Resources Specialist 4 (Benefits Contracts) Civil Service, Department of $85,244 M-2 $25
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.

Promotion examination open to all qualified employees of the New York State Department of Civil Service.

Back To Top

Minimum Qualifications

On or before January 6, 2018, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Civil Service and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a:

For 38-035010: Human Resources Specialist 1 (Benefits), Employee Benefits Representative 1, Employee Benefits Representative Trainee 1, Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 (Benefits), Employee Benefits Representative Trainee 2, or Human Resources Specialist Trainee 2 (Benefits).

For 38-036: Human Resources Specialist 1 (Benefits), Employee Benefits Representative 1, Employee Benefits Representative Trainee 1, Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 (Benefits), Employee Benefits Representative Trainee 2, Human Resources Specialist Trainee 2 (Benefits), Senior Accountant, Accountant Trainee 1, Accountant Trainee 2, Senior Auditor, Auditor Trainee 1, or Auditor Trainee 2.

For 38-037: Human Resources Specialist 2 (Benefits), Human Resources Specialist 2 (Benefits Contracts), Employee Benefits Representative 2, or Employee Benefits Representative 2 (Contract Management).

For 38-038: Human Resources Specialist 2 (Benefits), Human Resources Specialist 2 (Benefits Contracts), Employee Benefits Representative 2, Employee Benefits Representative 2 (Contract Management), Associate Accountant, or Associate Auditor.

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

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before October 6, 2017, 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 journey level service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

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: For Examination Numbers
28-03528-03628-03728-038
1. Written expression - These questions test for the writing skills used in composing memos, reports and correspondence, as well as in reviewing documents produced by others. Both sentence skills and paragraph skills are addressed. The specific points tested include grammar, usage, punctuation, sentence structure, appropriate and correct content, editing, and organizing sentences into well-constructed paragraphs. XXXX
2. Analytic reasoning - These questions test for the ability to understand information that is provided in a variety of formats and to reason logically. These questions require candidates to perform tasks such as interpreting information, distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information, determining whether a set of information is complete, and determining whether particular conclusions are correct. XXXX
3. Working effectively with others within and outside your organization - These questions test for knowledge of the principles used when interacting with individuals and agencies to inform them about topics of concern, clarify agency programs or policies, negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and represent one's agency or program in a professional, effective manner. Questions may also cover working cooperatively with staff of one's own agency or other agencies. XXXX
4. 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  X
5. Administrative supervision and management - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in providing supervision to subordinate supervisors and indirect supervision to their unit staff as well as the effective management of work. Questions will cover such areas as assigning and reviewing the work of several units; planning, implementing, and evaluating work initiatives; ensuring the timely and successful completion of unit work; resolving issues around work assignments and staff performance; evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors; hiring and developing staff; monitoring work performance; implementing change; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.   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.

Back To Top

Duties

Human Resources Specialist 2 (Benefits) may supervise, train, and schedule work of subordinates; or direct teams engaged in benefit analysis, procedural reengineering, recommending or implementing administrative improvements, including new technologies. They provide direction and assistance to staff in dealing with more complex cases; identify specific issues needing policy clarification; and may be assigned to benchmark items against other employer groups, or to work with Counsel's office to evaluate the legal implications of law, rule or regulations on benefits, and the need to seek appropriate revision(s).

Human Resources Specialist 2 (Benefits Contracts) may function as Contract Managers for benefit program contracts having smaller annual dollar value. Under general supervision, incumbents perform analysis, participate in the contractor selection process, review and interpret the analytical work of others, serve as liaisons to the insurance carriers, and obtain all necessary reporting data required to appropriately administer the new contract(s) or specific portions of areas of an existing contract.

Human Resources Specialist 4 (Benefits) serve as program managers of significant organizational units. They plan, supervise, and coordinate the activities of staff, outsourced vendor/consultant specialists, and interact with representatives of other organizations of jurisdictions with interests in the New York State employee benefit packages, including public employee unions, associations of interested enrollees, labor/management committees, the Civil Service Commission, the Division of the Budget, the Governor's Office of Employee Relations, and the Office of the State Comptroller.

Human Resources Specialist 4 (Benefits Contracts) train and supervise staff engaged in the administration of a wide variety of benefit plans and programs for employees and retirees of state agencies, other participating employers and agencies, and jurisdictions eligible to offer New York State employee benefit plans to their public employees. They direct and participate in the development of procurement and contract documents and prepare internal and review external reports containing specific analysis pertaining to the utilization, cost and value of existing benefits, as well as proposed benefit changes. Incumbents usually function as Contract Managers for at least one major benefit plan or program with an annual value of several hundred million dollars.

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.

Back To Top

How To Apply

This announcement is for viewing purposes only.

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 unlawful 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, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law, 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.

S1/TC2 DMG-dah
Issued: 10/20/2017

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.

Back To Top