**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 Department of Agriculture and Markets.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before May 12, 2018, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as aa Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1, Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 2, or Food Laboratory Specialist 1.���������

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 at full journey level Food Laboratory Specialist 1 title, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

Notes

1. In accordance with Section 52.11 of the Civil Service Law, individuals serving permanently in the non competitive or labor class in a qualifying title (including those serving under Section 55-b/55-c) who otherwise meet the requirements for taking this examination are eligible to compete in this promotion examination.
2. This examination is being held on a promotion and open-competitive basis. If you are admitted to the promotion examination under anticipated eligibility (i.e., you do not have the required one year of Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List) and if you meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications, you may also be admitted to the open-competitive examination. To be admitted, you must apply for the open-competitive examination according to the instructions given on the open-competitive announcement. Once you meet the required one year of qualifying service for appointment from the promotion list, you will not be eligible for appointment from the open-competitive 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:	For Examination Numbers
	38-098	38-099
1. 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
2. Analyzing and interpreting written technical material - These questions will require you to read passages that deal with technical laboratory issues and procedures, not necessarily specific to your field, and then will ask you to base your answers on a comprehension of the passages presented. In some cases, you may be further required to incorporate basic background knowledge in order to answer correctly.	X	X
3. Preparing written material - These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.	X	X
4. Laboratory practices, techniques, and equipment associated with the microbiological assessment of food products - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices of microbiology in a laboratory testing for food, dairy, and beverage safety; related disease prevention; and proper labeling. Questions may cover such topics as general microbiology and bacteriology; laboratory methods and techniques in sample preparation and preservation; use and characteristics of equipment and instruments in a food laboratory for testing and analysis; the microbial, biochemical, and molecular tests to detect, isolate, and identify bacterial contaminants; laboratory safety; quality assurance and quality control; interpreting results; and the ability to perform related computations.		X
5. Laboratory practices, techniques, and equipment associated with the chemical assessment of food products - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices of inorganic and organic chemistry in a laboratory testing for food, feed, dairy, and beverage safety; related disease and toxicity prevention; and proper labeling. Questions may cover such topics as laboratory methods and techniques in sample preparation and preservation; preparation of solutions and standards; qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical components such as metals, preservatives, oils, fats, and pesticides; identification of other hazardous chemicals in food and animal feed; use and characteristics of equipment and instruments in a food laboratory for testing and analysis; laboratory safety; quality assurance and quality control; interpreting results; and the ability to perform related computations.	X
6. Analysis and resolution of issues that can arise in a food microbiological laboratory - These questions test for knowledge of microbiology applied to the techniques, methods, and equipment used in a laboratory testing products such as food, dairy, and beverages; the ability to interpret food laboratory results; the ability to identify and resolve problems that may affect the analysis and analytical results; and the ability to validate new laboratory procedures. Scenarios that may occur in a food laboratory are presented in a variety of formats. Candidates will need to apply their knowledge of microbiological laboratory procedures and the information provided to answer a related set of questions. Questions may cover such topics as evaluating test results and problems with those results, identifying and troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, identifying root cause of quality assurance/quality control problems, validating new laboratory procedures, and the ability to perform related computations.		X
7. Analysis and resolution of issues that can arise in a food chemistry laboratory - These questions test for knowledge of chemistry applied to the techniques, methods, and equipment used in a laboratory testing products such as food, feed, dairy, and beverages; the ability to interpret food laboratory results; the ability to identify and resolve problems that may affect the analysis and analytical results; and the ability to validate new laboratory procedures. Scenarios that may occur in a food laboratory are presented in a variety of formats. Candidates will need to apply their knowledge of chemistry, chemistry laboratory procedures, and the information provided to answer a related set of questions. Questions may cover such topics as evaluating test results and problems with those results, identifying and troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, identifying root-cause of quality assurance/quality control problems, validating new laboratory procedures, and the ability to perform related computations.	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 Food Laboratory Specialist 2 (Chemistry), you would plan, conduct, and oversee a unit assigned in testing and analyzing samples for a variety of chemical parameters. These include compliance with regulatory standards for nutritional labeling, adulteration, presence of undeclared and potentially harmful allergens, preservatives, artificial colors, chemical residues, heavy metals, pesticides, and other chemical parameters and hazards. You would manage activities related to the analysis of sample commodities to identify and quantify levels of chemical constituents. You would review and approve analytical reports before they are released. You would oversee technology transfer, method development validation, and verification. In collaboration with the QA/QC unit, you would coordinate the participation in proficiency sample testing exercises and other activities necessary for maintaining certification/accreditation of the laboratory by various regulatory and accreditation entities. You would supervise sample preparation and any additional preparation such as reagents used in the testing and analysis of samples. You would oversee the development and implementation of new technologies and techniques that will address newly identified needs and/or requirements to keep the laboratory���������s capabilities current.

As a Food Laboratory Specialist 2 (Microbiology), you would plan, conduct, and oversee a unit assigned to perform microbiological testing to analyze samples for food-borne pathogens and other microbiological parameters. You would manage activities related to the analysis of dairy products biological standards, food samples to detect, isolate, and identify major food-borne pathogenic microorganisms, and bacterial toxins. You would oversee technology transfer, method development validation, and verification. In collaboration with the QA/QC unit, you would coordinate the participation in proficiency sample testing exercises and other activities necessary for maintaining certification/accreditation of the laboratory by various regulatory and accreditation entities. You would supervise sample preparation and any additional preparation such as reagents used in the testing and analysis of samples. You would oversee the development and/or implementation of new technologies and techniques that will address newly identified needs and/or requirements to keep the laboratory���������s capabilities current.

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

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.

S1/TC3 VXR-vla
Issued: 2/23/18

���������Revised Material: 3/16/18
Revised Material: 5/25/18

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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