New York State of Opportunity

Construction Specifications Writer 1 Architectural

Written Test To Be Held
May 12, 2018**
You may be assigned to either Saturday or Sunday.
Please refer to the information below.
Applications Must Be Submitted or Postmarked By
March 28, 2018

 

Exams Included on This Announcement
Exam Number Exam Title Open to Employees of Salary Salary Grade Non−Refundable Processing Fee (Waivers available)
38-072 Construction Specifications Writer 1 Architectural General Services, Office of $73,284 G-23 $20

*Salary effective 4/5/18

**Due to the size of the candidate population for this test date, you may be assigned to either Saturday, May 12, 2018, or Sunday, May 13, 2018, to take your test. Your admission notice will tell you where and when you are scheduled to appear. You cannot request a day in advance or change your scheduled day.


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 Office of General Services.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before May 12, 2018, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Office of General Services and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as an Assistant Architect, Landscape Architect, Assistant Architectural Estimator, Construction Estimator 2 (Architectural), Assistant Engineer (Civil/Construction), Assistant Building Construction Engineer, Assistant Engineer (Civil/Geotechnical), Assistant Soils Engineer, Assistant Engineer (Civil/Structural), Assistant Engineer (Civil/Transportation), Civil Engineer 1, Assistant Building Structural Engineer, Assistant Engineer (Electrical), Assistant Building Electrical Engineer, Assistant Engineer (Environmental), Sanitary Design Engineer 1, Assistant Engineer (Mechanical), Assistant Mechanical Construction Engineer, Assistant Engineer (Mechanical/HVAC), Assistant Heating and Ventilating Engineer, Building Construction Program Manager 1, or Senior Superintendent of Construction.

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

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before February 12, 2018, 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.

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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. Architectural drawings, including plans, elevations, sections, details and estimates - These questions test for the ability to read, analyze, and perform computations based on technical drawings of various types of buildings and related facilities. Knowledge of basic estimating techniques and how building construction materials are utilized on specified projects is required.
  2. Building construction methods and materials - These questions test for knowledge of the typical procedures and materials used in the construction and renovation of buildings and related facilities, and may include such components as structural members, roofs, walls, windows, doors, insulation, foundations, exterior features and site work.
  3. Preparation and organization of specifications according to the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat Standard, including contractual and legal requirements - These questions test for knowledge of the concepts, terminology, proper procedures, and contractual/legal requirements involved in the development and organization of specifications according to the latest edition of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat standard.
  4. Bidding requirements, contract forms, specifications, and general conditions of contracts - These questions test for knowledge of the concepts, terminology, and proper procedures involved in the bidding process and contract documents for building construction projects and for the ability to read and interpret specifications.
  5. Application of the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code related to specifications - These questions test for the ability to read, interpret, and apply provisions of the NYS Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code relate to specifications.
  6. Supervising a project - These questions test for the ability to conduct and supervise the activities necessary to achieve the goals and deadlines of a specific project. The questions cover such topics as setting up the project, developing the workplan for the project, assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance and progress, coordinating phases of the project, handling problems as they arise, and meeting deadlines.

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 Construction Specifications Writer 1 (Architectural), you would develop, write, and review architectural specifications for building construction and rehabilitation projects covering the composition, finish, qualities of materials, the construction methods to be used, and the manner and method of manufacture, installation, and finish of architectural work.

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.

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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 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, email us at AdmissionNotices@cs.ny.gov. Please provide your first and last name, address, and the last four digits of your social security number, and we will provide you with the information you need to attend your written test. If you have an issue other than not receiving your admission notice, please contact our office at (518) 474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627. Please leave a clear concise message and provide your first and last name, last four digits of your social security number and a daytime phone number.

Taking State and Local 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: https://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/TC3 LAK-vla
Issued: 2/23/18

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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