Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 1

* After completing 30 weeks as an Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 1, the salary increases to $44,124. After an additional 22 weeks and advancement to Trainee 2, the salary increases to $46,181. Upon completion of the two-year traineeship, the salary is $48,359.

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $1,273 annual downstate adjustment. In addition, appointees who work in the following locations will receive an additional supplemental location pay in the following amounts: the counties of Orange, Putnam, and Dutchess - $1,061; the five boroughs of New York City, Rockland, and Westchester Counties - $1,591; and Nassau and Suffolk Counties - $1,857.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before November 14, 2009, you must have:

Either 1. a bachelor's or higher-level degree including or supplemented by 18 semester credit hours in any combination of courses indicated below as qualifying coursework;

Or 2. an associate's degree including or supplemented by 18 semester credit hours in any combination of courses indicated below as qualifying coursework; AND one of the following:

1. one year of experience in the areas of freshwater or marine sciences, wildlife sciences, forestry, environmental engineering, or environmental technology; or
2. one year of experience as a police officer with Municipal Police Training Course certification (or equivalent course approved by the NYS Municipal Police Training Council), or as a certified federal law enforcement officer. A certified Peace Officer Training course does not meet this requirement; or
3. two years of active United States military service with an honorable discharge.

Qualifying Coursework

Natural resource conservation, environmental science, environmental studies or similar environmental program, natural science, physical science, or criminal justice. Substitution: up to six semester credit hours in computer science may be used to meet the 18 semester credit hour requirement.

Important

You MUST submit a list of qualifying courses with your application. Include the name of the college, course title with the corresponding number of credit hours, and date (or expected date) of completion either by listing them in the "coursework" section of the online application; in the "remarks" section of the paper application; on a separate piece of paper; by sending a copy of your college transcript to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S2CMH; or you may fax the information to (518) 473-4313.

Examples of experience that will not qualify as Forestry experience are: Lawn mowing; landscaping; tree and brush trimming; pesticide application; sawing firewood; farm hand; and other types of experience that are categorized as laborer or maintenance work in a garden shop, park, or forest setting.

Examples of experience that will qualify as Forestry experience are: Tree physiology, silviculture, dendrology, mensuration, the planning and supervision of disease and insect control, marketing of timber products, and timber cruising.

Examples of experience that will not qualify as Environmental Technology experience are: Equipment operators, laboratory workers, and laborers.

Qualifying experience in Environmental Technology must be at a paraprofessional or higher level in areas such as solid and hazardous waste, remediation, or pollution prevention.

Notes

1. Your degree or college credit 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 or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to the Examination Information Desk of the NYS Department of Civil Service for a list of acceptable companies who provide this service. You must pay the required evaluation fee. If you are applying on the Internet, you must mail the independent verification of equivalency to the NYS Department of Civil Service, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S2CMH.
2. If you expect to meet the educational requirements by June 30, 2010, you can be admitted to the written test but you cannot be considered for appointment until you submit proof of successful completion of the educational requirements to the Department of Environmental Conservation.
3. Tattoos: You must comply with the Department of Environmental Conservation's, Division of Law Enforcement policy which requires all members to present a neat and professional appearance at all times. Tattoos shall not be visible while a member is in uniform. The uniform consists of a short sleeve shirt open at the front of the neck and, in the warmer months, shorts. Presence of a visible tattoo may bar appointment. For additional information regarding this policy, contact the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Law Enforcement at (518) 402-8829.
4. If you pass the examination for No. 25-099 Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 1 (Spanish Language) you will be required to demonstrate your Spanish language proficiency at a level that will ensure your ability to perform properly the duties of the position. Only enough candidates to fill current vacancies will be called to the proficiency test.
5. If you are qualified for No. 25-099 Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 1 (Spanish Language), you should file for both examinations, as there is only one application processing fee.
6. You must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.
7. Environmental Conservation Officers are police officers under State law. At appointment you must be a resident of New York State.
8. You must be legally eligible to carry firearms. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor may bar appointment.
9. Physical Skills and Abilities Testing: If you are considered for appointment, your physical skills and abilities will be evaluated through tests of strength, agility, flexibility, endurance, and swimming. These physical skills and abilities tests will be conducted by the Department of Environmental Conservation. To obtain a statement of the requirements of these tests, write to the Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Law Enforcement, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233.
10. Fingerprints and Fees: Fingerprinting is required prior to appointment. You will be required to pay the processing fee.
11. Background Investigation: Because of the nature of the position there is an investigative screening that may 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 merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.
12. Physical/Medical Requirements: Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. The physical/medical standards include but are not limited to: uncorrected distant visual acuity not less than 20/40 in each eye; corrected distant visual acuity better than or equal to 20/30 (Snellen) in each eye. You must also have satisfactory color vision perception. You will also be tested for satisfactory physical strength and coordination. You will be required to demonstrate the necessary physical fitness to perform the duties of the position of Environmental Conservation Officer. To obtain a complete statement of the physical and medical standards write to the Medical Review Unit, NYS Department of Civil Service, 55 Mohawk Street, Suite 201, Cohoes, NY 12047. A medical examination will be required prior to appointment, and you are responsible for payment of the clinical laboratory test fee. Appointees to this position may be required to undergo periodic medical examinations to reassess their ability to perform the essential duties of the position.
13. Drug Testing: Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a drug screening test and are responsible for the clinical lab fee. Failure to meet the standards may result in your disqualification.
14. Psychological Evaluation: Prior to appointment, you will be required to participate in a psychological evaluation to determine your fitness to perform the essential duties of the position.
15. Probation: If you are appointed, but your conduct or performance during the traineeship is found to be unsatisfactory, the Department of Environmental Conservation may terminate your employment at any time after three weeks of service and on or before completion of the traineeship.
16. New York State Residency and United States Citizenship: Although not required for taking the test, you must be a citizen of the United States at the time of appointment. If appointed, you must maintain New York State residency pursuant to the Public Officers Law.
17. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.

The Positions

These positions exist in the Department of Environmental Conservation. Although positions exist at various locations throughout the state, it is anticipated most appointments will be made to positions in the New York City metropolitan area and surrounding counties.

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Duties

As an Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 1, you will participate in a residential formal training program lasting about 26 weeks. Upon successful completion of this training program, you will be assigned to a patrol area, most likely in a downstate location. After assignment, you will perform enforcement work under close and continuous supervision. You will be a sworn police officer involved in the enforcement of environmental conservation law in order to protect the State's natural resources and environment. You will investigate complaints in order to detect and document both State and Federal environmental conservation law felonies, misdemeanors, and violations. You will meet with school groups, service groups, regulated community and hunter's and angler's clubs to promote compliance with environmental conservation law, which includes fish and wildlife law. At times, you will be expected to work long and irregular hours on outdoor patrols. You will be required to carry a firearm. You will be assigned a notebook computer and be required to use it daily to transmit information, forms, and reports to supervisory staff. Required uniform clothing and necessary equipment will be provided by the Department. After appointment, you will be required to work out of your home and be accessible to all parts of your patrol area. The location of your residence will have to be within your assigned patrol area and be acceptable to the Department of Environmental Conservation. Pursuant to Public Officers Law, New York State residency must be maintained.

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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. Applying written information (rules, regulations, policies, procedures, directives, etc.) in police situations - These questions test for the ability to apply written rules in given situations similar to those typically experienced by police officers.
2. Memory for facts and information - These questions test for the ability to remember facts and information presented in written form. You will be given 5-minutes to read and study the information in the Memory Booklet. After the 5-minute period, the Memory Booklet will be taken away. You will then be required to answer questions about the material that was presented in the Memory Booklet.
3. Reading, understanding and interpreting written information - These questions test for the ability to read, understand, and interpret the kinds of written information that police officers are required to read during their formal training period and on the job.
4. Preparing written material in a police setting - These questions test for the ability to prepare the types of reports that police officers write. You will be presented with a page of notes followed by several questions. Each question will consist of four restatements of the information given in the notes. From each set of four, you must choose the version that presents the information most clearly and accurately. The rating key for subject areas 1-4 in this examination will be established by the New York State Civil Service Commission prior to the date of the test, upon recommendation of a committee of police experts who will review all the questions for appropriateness and the key answers for correctness. There will be no review of the questions by candidates. This committee was selected with the assistance and endorsement of the Police Conference of New York, Inc., the New York State Association of PBA's, Inc., and the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc.
5. Natural resources and environment - These questions test for basic practical knowledge of fish, wildlife and other natural resources; outdoor recreation; forestry and environmental awareness.

Your final score must be 70 or higher in order to pass. Rank 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 Taking the Written Test for Environmental Conservation Officer Trainee 1 is available. If you would like a copy of the test guide mailed to you, please call (518) 473-9927.

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How To Apply

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 in 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, marital 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

In addition, 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 enjoy equal opportunity. Persons with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in an examination must note this on their applications. Further information is available from the Special Arrangements Unit of the Department of Civil Service at 518-457-2487 [press 2, then press 2] in the Albany area, toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 2], or via TDD (telecommunications device for the deaf) at 518-457-8480.

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

With the exception of written tests announced by New York City, if you have applied to take a written test announced by a local jurisdiction (county, town, city) scheduled to be held on the same test date as this written test, you must call 518-474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627 [press 2, then press 1], 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.

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.

S2/TC1 CMH-tmc
Issued: 8/14/09

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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