Ocean & Lakes Policy Analyst 1

Due to current testing space limitations, candidates may need to travel to a test site to take this examination. Candidates will be notified of their test site location on their admission notice.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before March 23, 2024 you must have:

Either A. a bachelor's degree in science, economics, engineering, management, policy or law in one of the following fields: ocean or maritime, lakes, estuaries, coastal, environmental, earth science, natural resources, marine transportation, climate, energy, or sustainability* AND three years of full-time professional qualifying experience;**

Or B. a bachelor's degree in one of the following planning-related fields: urban or regional planning, geography, or landscape architecture* AND three years of full-time professional qualifying experience;**

Or C. a master's or higher degree as described in either A or B above* AND two years of full-time professional qualifying experience.**

*Degrees in other fields will NOT be substituted in lieu of the specific specialized degrees listed above.

**Qualifying experience: For the purposes of this examination, professional qualifying experience is defined as experience in developing and analyzing policy, developing strategies, and implementing programs dealing with environmental issues related to ocean and lakes on a local, regional, state, interstate, or national level. This experience must have included resolving differences among stakeholders through consensus and partnership building; evaluating programs, regulations, and laws; AND coordinating the implementation of multiple programs and projects.

Examples of non-qualifying experience include but are not limited to: Work with ponds, rivers, streams, marshes, wetlands, transportation systems, fisheries, watersheds or land protection that do not demonstrate a clear connection to the ocean or Great Lakes; or Superfund and PCB clean up on rivers.

• If you expect to meet the educational requirements by September 30, 2024, you can take the multiple-choice test. You MUST submit proof of successful completion of the educational requirements to the appointing authority at the time of the employment interview or you will not be considered for appointment. Failure to meet the educational requirements by September 30, 2024, may result in your removal from the eligible list.
• Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm.
• If verifiable, we will accept and prorate appropriate part-time and volunteer experience.
• New York State residency is not required.

The Positions: These positions exist in the New York State Department of State and are located statewide.

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Duties

As an Ocean and Lakes Policy Analyst 1, you would assist local, regional, State, and federal agencies to integrate improved management measures for the ocean and Great Lakes into agency decision making, staffing and funding programs. You would draft and analyze legislative, regulatory and budget proposals; analyze technical reports on offshore uses and resources; track federal, regional, and State policy developments related to offshore uses and resources; develop reports, briefings, speeches, presentations and other documents; develop and implement offshore spatial use plans for sectors of the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes including: energy, offshore habitats, fisheries, waterborne transportation, navigation safety, and tourism-based economies; identify and map spatial data including ocean uses and biotic conditions; identify and develop technical requirements for projects and designs; prepare requests for proposals to obtain scientific, economic or other expertise to augment internal capacity to ensure successful outcomes; ensure effective mechanisms are developed to implement offshore spatial-use plans and engage appropriate stakeholders, including nonprofit and private sector interests, in developing use plans for the ocean and Great Lakes; develop collaborative relationships within New York and among the Mid-Atlantic states to address existing and emerging threats to ocean health; and identify and build constituencies to participate in and support new and emerging ocean policies.

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Subject of Examination

To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass the multiple-choice test. The multiple-choice test evaluates your knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in the following areas:

1. Administrative techniques and practices - These questions test for a knowledge of management techniques and practices used in directing or assisting in directing a program component or an organizational segment. Questions cover such areas as interpreting policies, making decisions based on the context of the position in the organization, coordinating programs or projects, communicating with employees or the public, planning employee training, and researching and evaluating areas of concern.
2. Ensuring effective inter/intra agency communications - These questions test for understanding of techniques for interacting effectively with individuals and agencies, to educate and inform them about topics of concern, to 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 the staff of one's own agency and/or that of other agencies in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service.
3. Preparing reports and official documents - These questions test for the ability to prepare reports and other official documents for use within and among governmental agencies, in legal or regulatory settings, or for dissemination to the public. Some questions test for a knowledge of grammar, usage, punctuation, and sentence structure. Others test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, to use the proper tone, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly.
4. 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.
5. Program planning, laws and programs related to the management of oceans and lakes uses and resources - These questions test for knowledge of the concepts, terminology, procedures and spatial analysis used in the development, scheduling and oversight of various types of ocean and lakes programs; and familiarity with the various federal and New York State laws, rules, regulations and funding programs involved in ocean and lakes use, maritime/off shore planning and development, and off shore use and resources management.

Your final score must be 70 or higher to pass. Your final score on the eligible list will be determined after adding any wartime Veterans' and Civil Service Law Section 85-a credits.

Admission To The Test: If approved for a multiple-choice test, you will receive an admission notice which will indicate your assigned test date and the way your test will be administered. Your test may be administered with paper and pencil or online at a state test site using a state-provided Chromebook. You cannot request to change your scheduled day or request a specific type of test administration.

Applicants are required to have a Personal NY.gov account and keep their email address up to date. The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies will communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include the notification of your test arrangements, 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

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.

Appointment to many positions in State government require candidates to undergo an investigative screening. This may include a thorough character investigation, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Record History Check, a Child Abuse Registry clearance, or other similar procedures. Candidates may be fingerprinted and may be required to pay any necessary fees for that procedure. Depending on the nature of the job, the criminal convictions discovered, or any falsified or omitted information revealed, the investigative findings may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment.

Eligibility for Employment

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment and throughout your employment with New York State. If appointed, you must produce documents that establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States, as required by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Religious Accommodation

Most multiple-choice 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 Accommodation Unit of the Department of Civil Service at Testaccommodation@cs.ny.gov.

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 multiple-choice 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 multiple-choice 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 multiple-choice test announced by either one or several local jurisdictions (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this multiple-choice 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.

Cell Phones or Electronic/Communication Devices at the Test Site

The use of cell phones, beepers, headphones, or any electronic or other communication devices at your personal testing site or in the test room, hallways, restrooms, building, grounds, or other areas, except as expressly authorized by the Department of Civil Service, could result in your disqualification.

S3/TA1 BME-dah
Issued: 1/5/24

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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