Human Resources Specialist 2 (Testing)

Please be advised that effective December 1, 2021 the New York State Department of Civil Service has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination/testing policy for in-person examinations administered at a New York State test center. For more information, you can access the full policy on the Department of Civil Service website.

Promotion examinations open to all qualified employees of the New York State Department of Civil Service.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before August 17, 2022, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Civil Service and have had 45 days of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as:

For Exam No. 38-785: Human Resources Specialist 1 (Testing), Human Resources Specialist Trainee 1 (Testing), Human Resources Specialist Trainee 2 (Testing), Senior Administrative Analyst, Administrative Analyst Trainee 1, or Administrative Analyst Trainee 2.

For Exam No. 38-790: Human Resources Specialist 2 (Testing), Associate Administrative Analyst, or Supervisor of Administrative Analysis.

Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before July 3, 2022, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.

Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List: After one year of the service at the full performance level, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

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Duties

As a Human Resources Specialist 2 (Testing), you would supervise and personally develop civil service tests to select individuals for State and local government positions in New York State. They manage the work of a testing services unit and provide direct supervision to unit staff. Incumbents supervise and personally plan, prepare and evaluate tests using a variety of formats, including multiple-choice, evaluation of training and experience, job simulation exercise, constructed response, performance, and others. They supervise and carry out test development activities such as collecting and analyzing job information; developing and documenting appropriate test plans; writing, editing, reviewing, and proofing test materials; analyzing test results and preparing scoring recommendations; using electronic systems to complete job tasks; and communicating with others within and outside of the agency on testing matters. As first line supervisors, they are also responsible for assigning and reviewing staff work; developing and evaluating staff; and coordinating unit work in line with the division's program.

As a Human Resources Specialist 4 (Testing), you would manage the work of several units involved in developing civil service tests to select individuals for State and local government positions in New York State. They manage and coordinate the work of a testing services section, provide direct and indirect supervision. They are responsible for overseeing and personally planning, organizing, and distributing work to units within the section and developing, training, and evaluating section staff. Incumbents manage the planning, preparation and evaluation of tests prepared in their section, and personally assume responsibility for internally secure, highly complex or high profile assignments, including test validation, job analysis, and special studies. They work collaboratively with other division managers to coordinate the work of the division. They also may serve on intra- and inter-divisional committees and oversee special projects as needed.

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Subject of Examination

To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass the written test. The written test evaluates your knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in the following areas::	For Examination Nos.
	38-785	38-790
1. Written expression - These questions test for the writing skills used in composing memos, reports, and correspondence, as well as in reviewing documents produced by others. Both sentence skills and paragraph skills are addressed. The specific points tested include grammar, usage, punctuation, sentence structure, appropriate and correct content, editing, and organizing sentences into well-constructed paragraphs.	X	X
2. Analytic reasoning - These questions test for the ability to understand information that is provided in a variety of formats and to reason logically. These questions require candidates to perform tasks such as interpreting information, distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant information, determining whether a set of information is complete, and determining whether particular conclusions are correct.	X	X
3. 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. 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.	X	X
4. 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
5. Administrative supervision and management - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in providing supervision to subordinate supervisors and indirect supervision to their unit staff as well as the effective management of work. Questions will cover such areas as assigning and reviewing the work of several units; planning, implementing, and evaluating work initiatives; ensuring the timely and successful completion of unit work; resolving issues around work assignments and staff performance; evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors; hiring and developing staff; monitoring work performance; implementing change; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.		X

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 wartime 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.

Note: The Department of Civil Service may administer tests either online or with paper booklets and answer sheets.

Admission to the Test: If approved, 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

Important: Unless waived, you must pay the non-refundable processing fee. For information on fee waivers, visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/examannouncements/types/oc/appinfo.cfm##Fee. Any past due application processing fees must be paid in full prior to submitting an application. Please email FeeUnitMail@cs.ny.gov regarding inquiries about any past due fee. It is important that you verify that you entered the correct examination number and title on your online or paper application prior to submitting. If you apply online, you should immediately review your email confirmation notice to verify that you applied for the correct examination.

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

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, 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 written 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 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: 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.

S1/TD1 NAD-rkv
Issued: 5/27/22

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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