Department of Civil Service

Fish Culturist 3&4

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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 New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before November 7, 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. 31-573020: Fish Culturist 2.

For Exam No. 31-574020: Fish Culturist 3 or Fish Culturist 2.

Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before August 7, 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 August 7, 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 August 7, 2026, to qualify for this examination.

Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List:

For Exam No. 31-573020: One year as a Fish Culturist 2.

For Exam No. 31-574020: One year as a Fish Culturist 3 or two years as a Fish Culturist 2.

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.

Additional Requirements for Appointment:

1. Background Investigation: Due to the nature of these positions, there may be an investigative screening which could include a thorough character investigation. All convictions must be reported. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor or any falsified or omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merit, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.
2. Fingerprints and Fees: You may be required to get fingerprinted at the time of appointment. You are responsible for payment of the processing fee.

Continued Employment: To keep this position, you must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.

You may be required to obtain a valid Class B CDL within 6 months of appointment with appropriate endorsements. If a CDL is required, you will be subject to the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act (OTETA) of 1991, which requires employee testing for drug and alcohol abuse.

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Duties

As a Fish Culturist 3, you would supervise Fish Culturists 2; plan and supervise maintenance schedules for grounds, buildings, equipment and fish culture facilities; coordinate construction activities when necessary; perform administrative tasks including personnel and labor relations issues, employee recruitment, selection, and evaluation of employees; prepare purchase requisitions; evaluate data and prepare reports using valid scientific procedures; plan and coordinate wild fish egg takes; work with regional fisheries managers and biologists to determine stocking dates and locations; coordinate volunteer stocking efforts with sportsmen organizations and the general public; and provide on-site oversite for hatchery rehabilitation and improvement projects. As a Fish Culturist 3, you may be required to live on-site in state owned housing.

As a Fish Culturist 4, you would supervise Fish Culturists 2 and 3 and support staff; serve as manager at a hatchery; plan and direct the annual work program for the hatchery; plan and supervise maintenance schedules for the facility and grounds; compile and prepare hatchery budget requests; plan and schedule programs and costs for upcoming fiscal year; coordinate public outreach (such as visitor tours and/or Trout in the Classroom); organize and evaluate health and safety program; plan and oversee implementation of the hatchery fish cultural program; coordinate fish health management plan; handle administrative matters including the recruitment, selection and evaluation of employees; prepare statistical and narrative reports; attend professional agency meetings; work with regional fisheries managers and biologists to determine stocking dates and locations; coordinate volunteer stocking efforts with sportsmen organizations and the general public; and provide on-site oversite for hatchery rehabilitation and improvement projects. As a Fish Culturist 4, you may be required to live on-site in state owned housing.

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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:	For Examination Nos.
	31-573020	31-574020
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
2. Administrative supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and their subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.		X
3. Fish culture - These questions will be designed to test for, but will not necessarily be limited to, knowledge of the principles and practices involved in fish culture, including spawn-taking; egg incubation; fish care at various stages of development; fish feeding requirements; water quality parameters including hatchery influent and effluent, sampling and measurement techniques; fish marking; fish stocking; equipment, including operation and maintenance; employee health and safety issues; and the natural history of the fish species involved.	X	X
4. Fish health management - These questions will test for knowledge of the signs and causes of fish diseases and methods used in the prevention and control of diseases.	X	X
5. Educating and interacting with the public - These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individual citizens 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
6. Understanding and interpreting tabular material - These questions test your ability to understand, analyze, and use the internal logic of data presented in tabular form. You may be asked to perform tasks such as completing tables, drawing conclusions from them, analyzing data trends or interrelationships, and revising or combining data sets. The concepts of rate, ratio, and proportion are tested. Mathematical operations are simple, and computational speed is not a major factor in the test.		X
7. 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

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.

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.

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How To Apply

Apply Online

You will need a personal NY.gov ID to apply for these examinations. If you do not have a personal NY.gov account, please create an account.

Select each examination you intend to apply for.

Fish Culturist 3

Fish Culturist 4

(You must select at least one exam to continue.)

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

If you do not receive your notice to appear for your multiple-choice test by three days prior to the exam date, please send an email to AdmissionNotices@cs.ny.gov. Please include 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 and concise message, and provide 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.

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: 8/21/26

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.

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