Environmental Chemist 2
- Multiple-choice Test To Be Held
- December 8, 2026*
- Applications Must Be Submitted or Postmarked By
- October 23, 2026
| Exam Number | Exam Title | Open to Employees of | Salary | Salary Grade | Non−Refundable Processing Fee (Waivers available) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-559020 | Environmental Chemist 2 | Environmental Conservation, Dept of | $90,582 | G-23 | $0 |
*Due to the size of the candidate population for this date, candidates will be tested at a Computer-Based Testing Center in their area and may schedule to take their test on either Tuesday, December 8, 2026, or Wednesday, December 9, 2026. Candidates will receive a notification from CBTAdministration@cs.ny.gov requiring them to self-schedule for one of the open exam sessions being administered. Candidates will receive their admission notice after self-scheduling for their test and 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 December 8, 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 an Environmental Chemist 1, Environmental Chemist Trainee 2, or Environmental Chemist Trainee 1. 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.
Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.
If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before September 8, 2026, 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 September 8, 2026, 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 September 8, 2026, to qualify for this examination.
Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List: After one year of service at the Full Performance Level, 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.
Duties
As an Environmental Chemist 2, you would supervise subordinate chemists and technicians; develop, evaluate, and implement analytical methods and protocols designed for the chemical analysis of environmental samples; and initiate and coordinate source sampling programs. You might formulate and implement an appropriate quality assurance program, evaluate or direct the evaluation of analytical data generated by private and government laboratories engaged in contract work for the department, evaluate and mitigate environmental risks of pesticides in New York State, and prepare reports. You might also be involved in health and safety issues related to chemical hygiene or quality assurance plans.
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:
- Analytical chemistry, including techniques, equipment, and procedures for inorganic and organic analyses - These questions test for knowledge of general principles of chemical analysis, including the various techniques used in the chemical analysis of both organic and inorganic materials, the operating principles and characteristics of the analytical equipment used, and laboratory safety.
- General laboratory practices, techniques, and equipment - These questions test for knowledge of basic laboratory practices, techniques, and equipment, including such areas as proper and safe techniques in sample preparation and analysis; use and characteristics of laboratory supplies, equipment, and instrumentation; principles and practices of laboratory safety; preparation of solutions of various concentrations; and terminology and underlying scientific principles associated with laboratory work.
- Organization and interpretation of data, including elementary statistical analysis and quality control - These questions test for knowledge of the various techniques used in data collection and analysis. Questions may include such areas as proper methods of collecting and organizing data, elementary statistical operations performed on data, and interpreting tabulated results properly.
- Sampling, analysis, and investigation of air, water, wastewater, solids, hazardous materials, and biological tissues - These questions test for knowledge of the environmental hazards posed by various contaminants, proper collection and handling techniques used to capture environmental samples, and the various analytical procedures used to properly evaluate these samples.
- 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.
Test Guide & Sample Test Material: A General Guide to Multiple-Choice Tests is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm. If Sample Test Material is available for a subject area described above, it can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/sampletestmat.cfm.
Time Allowance: The time allowance to answer all questions in this exam is 3 hours 30 minutes. This time allowance does not include travel time to and from the computer-based testing center, or check-in time at the computer-based testing center.
Candidates scheduled to take multiple examinations on the same date will be limited to a maximum of eight (8) hours of total testing time.
Note: The time allowance is subject to change. If changed, approved applicants will receive an email notification before the exam date with the revised time allowance.
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 Computer-Based Test (CBT): If you are approved to sit for a computer-based test, you can choose your own test date and time. You will receive an email from CBTAdministration@cs.ny.gov asking you to choose an open exam session. You can change your test date and time to another available option any time before the scheduling period ends. After you schedule your test, you will receive an electronic admission notice that includes your test date, time, and location. The Department of Civil Service will contact you directly if you are approved for a reasonable accommodation. We will tell you the date, time, and location of your test. Please call us if you have questions or concerns that are not related to receiving your admission notice. The Department of Civil Service can be reached at (518) 474-6470 or call us toll-free at 1-877-697-5627. Please leave a clear message with your first and last name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a phone number where you can be reached during regular business hours. Please note: Receiving a notice to appear for a test does not guarantee you have been qualified for the examination. You may receive a notice to take the test before your application is fully reviewed and approved. You may also be asked to provide additional information regarding your application. If it is determined that you are not qualified for the examination, you will be notified that your application for this examination has been disqualified. If you are disqualified after appearing for the test, you will not receive a score or be active for appointment from the eligible list.
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.
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-skh
Issued: 9/18/26
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.