New York State Department of Civil Service Announces Examinations Open to All Qualified Individuals

20-140 Professional Career Opportunities

Written Test To Be Held
March 22, 2014**
You may be assigned to Saturday or Sunday
Please refer to the information below.
Applications Must Be Submitted ONLINE By
February 5, 2014

 

ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS ONLY

Salary Grade Hiring Salary Range* Non-Refundable
Processing Fee
Leading to professional positions from
G-14 to G-21
$35,535 to $61,022 $35

*A list of titles filled by this examination is available at the PCO Title Listing Page.

** Due to the size of the candidate population for this examination, you may be assigned to either a morning or afternoon session on either Saturday, March 22, 2014, or Sunday, March 23, 2014, 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. If you do not receive your admission notice by March 19, 2014, see "ADMISSION TO EXAMINATION" below.

* Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $3,026 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $1,513 annual mid Hudson adjustment.

The PROFESSIONAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES (PCO) examination provides college graduates an opportunity to compete for traineeships or full-level, professional positions in various state agencies with New York State government.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before March 22, 2014,*** you must have a bachelor's degree or higher.

*** Graduating College Seniors must expect to have a bachelor's degree on or before September 1, 2014, in order to be admitted to the written test. Passing candidates, invited to job interviews, will be required to provide proof of degree at the time of interview. Candidates who cannot demonstrate that they received their bachelor's degree on or before September 1, 2014, will not be considered for appointment and their name will be inactivated on the eligible list.

Your bachelor's degree must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the NYS Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency and pay the necessary fee. Information about acceptable companies who provide verification is now available. You must mail a copy of the independent verification of equivalency to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Albany, NY 12239. Attention: S1JBH

The Positions

The eligible list that results from this examination will be used by agencies to fill more than 100 different job titles. All passing candidates will qualify for the Generalist Job Titles that are entry-level professional administrative titles. In addition, candidates with specialized education and/or work experience may also qualify for Select Job Titles. For more information on job titles that are filled from this examination, see http://www.cs.ny.gov/pco/title-details.

Traineeships

The majority of job titles filled through this examination require two-year traineeships during which trainees gain the necessary knowledge and experience to perform at the full level. For more information on traineeships, click on the Appointments tab at http://www.cs.ny.gov/pco/overview.cfm.

Salary

Starting salaries will vary depending upon the job title, the negotiating unit, and the appointment level. For more information on salary, see http://www.cs.ny.gov/pco/overview.cfm.

Selective Certification of the Eligible List

Candidates who wish to be considered for the Select Job Titles will be required to fill out an online education and experience questionnaire prior to the written test. Lists for the Select Job Titles will be generated based on the results of the written test combined with the responses to the questionnaire.

Language Proficiency

The eligible list may be used to fill job titles that require proficiency in a language other than English. If you are considered for appointment to such a position, you will be required to pass a performance test to demonstrate your proficiency in the language at a level that will ensure your ability to perform the duties of the position.

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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. Preparing written material
  2. Understanding and interpreting tabular material
  3. Understanding and interpreting written material
  4. Verbal analysis

Information regarding these subject areas can be found in the Test Guide that is being made available for this examination.

You should bring with you a hand-held battery or solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use the calculator function of your cell phone.

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

Test Guide

A Guide to the Written Test for the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) and Public Administration Traineeship Program (PATT) examinations is available.

There is an online application process (see below). NOTE: The non-refundable application processing fee must be paid online via a credit card unless you qualify for a waiver. See the application for more information.

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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.

The NYS Department of Civil Service reserves the right to reject for lateness or to accept applications filed after the advertised filing period. All statements you make on your application are subject to investigation.

Retest Policy

Qualified candidates may file as frequently as every subsequent examination holding; a new application is required each time.

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.

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 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 [press 2, then press 2]. Outside of the Albany area, call toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 2]. For TDD services, call NY Relay at 711 (requires a fee) or 1-800-662-1220.

New York State Residence Is Not Required For Most Positions

However, you must be eligible for employment in the United States.

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 [press 2, then press 1].

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

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.

Continuous Recruitment/Eligible Lists

Candidates who meet the qualification and pass this examination will have their names placed on the eligible list in the order of final scores, regardless of the date on which they filed or took the test. Generally, the names of qualified candidates will remain on the eligible list for two years. Appeal of ratings will not be allowed as the opportunity for retest exists. The department of Civil Service reserves the right to terminate this special recruitment program.

S1/TA1 JBH-vla
Issued: 1/3/2014

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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