Pesticide Control Specialist 2 & 3
- Multiple-choice Test To Be Held
- February 28, 2026
You may be assigned to either Saturday or Sunday to take your test.
You cannot request or change your scheduled day. - Applications Must Be Submitted or Postmarked By
- January 14, 2026
| Exam Number | Exam Title | Open to Employees of | Salary | Salary Grade | Non−Refundable Processing Fee (Waivers available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-308020 | Pesticide Control Specialist 3 | Environmental Conservation, Dept of | $96,336 | G-25 | $0 |
| 31-327020 | Pesticide Control Specialist 2 | Environmental Conservation, Dept of | $78,126 | G-21 | $0 |
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.
Promotion examination open to all qualified employees of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Minimum Qualifications
On or before February 28, 2026, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and have had three months of permanent competitive, non-competitive NY HELPS*, or 55-b/55-c service as shown below. If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally** in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for this examination.
For Exam No. 31-327020: Pesticide Control Specialist 1, Pesticide Control Specialist Trainee 2, or Pesticide Control Specialist Trainee 1 ***.
For Exam No. 31-308020: Pesticide Control Specialist 2 ***.
Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.
***Important: In addition to the usual time in service requirement, for the purpose of appointment, you must present a valid Pesticide Applicator Certification Number.
If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before November 28, 2025, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.
*If you were permanently appointed via the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class on or before November 28, 2025, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you may apply for this examination.
**If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title and had provisional service in the same title immediately preceding the permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required to apply for this examination. Your provisional appointment must have been on or before November 28, 2025, to qualify for this examination.
Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List: For Exam No. 31-327020: After one year of service at the Full Performance Level, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.
For Exam No. 31-308020: After one year of the service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.
Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class will have their names restricted from appointment from the eligible list until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by action of the New York State Civil Service Commission or otherwise obtain permanent competitive status in the position.
If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for appointment from the eligible list.
The Positions: These positions exist in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and are located throughout New York State.
Duties
As a Pesticide Control Specialist 2, you would function at the first supervisory level, supervising Pesticide Control Specialists 1; handle more complex interpretations of State and federal pesticide laws, regulations, and enforcement policies and more complex technical tasks that demonstrate a higher degree of difficulty and little direct guidance; testify as State expert for pesticide related matters; represent the Department in regional and local matters; and may serve as the regional program manager for an assigned region.
As a Pesticide Control Specialist 3, you would serve as program manager responsible for an entire Section in the Bureau of Pesticides Management; testify in cases involved with State and national pesticide issues; serve as statewide expert in a specified program field including, but not limited to aquatic permits, aerial applications, and termiticides; handle the most difficult administrative and technical matters with limited guidance; develop and oversee programs related to pesticides as well as state and national security.
Note:
- ��� Travel Requirements: These positions require travel. Appointees will be required to have a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job.
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: | For Examination Nos. | |
|---|---|---|
| 31-327020 | 31-308020 | |
| 1. Knowledge of pesticides - These questions test for knowledge of pesticides, including chemical composition; safe handling, application, storage, and disposal; and environmental impact of pesticide use. | X | X |
| 2. Knowledge of current laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to pesticides - These questions test for knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations, including Article 33 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law; New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations Parts 320-329; the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); and the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Worker Protection Standard for Agricultural Pesticides. | X | X |
| 3. Educating and interacting with the public - These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individuals and/or community groups, to educate or inform them about topics of concern, to publicize or 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 others in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service. | X | X |
| 4. 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 |
| 5. Inspection and investigative techniques - These questions test a candidate's ability to select the proper course of action in situations which might occur during inspections and investigations. These questions may cover areas such as investigative interviewing, presentation of evidence, attitude factors, integrity and sound judgment in dealing with complaints, irregularities and violations. | X | |
| 6. 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 |
| 7. 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. | X | |
Test Guide: A General Guide to Multiple-Choice Tests is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.
If you pass, your seniority credit(s), if any, will be included in the computation of your final score. Your final score on the eligible list will be determined after adding any Veterans' credits.
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.
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. 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 notification of your application status, 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.
How To Apply
You Can Also
- Download examination application NYS-APP form; or
- Email cs.sm.examinfo@cs.ny.gov to request NYS-APP forms; or
- Obtain an NYS-APP form from a State agency or facility personnel/business office; or
- Request NYS-APP form by calling the Department of Civil Service in the Albany area at 518-457-2487 or toll free at 1-877-697-5627.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
S2/TC3 RAW-gcm
Issued: 12/12/25
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.