New York State Department of Civil Service Announces Open-Competitive Examination Open to the Public

Automotive Facilities Inspector Trainee 1/Automotive Facilities Inspector

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $3,026 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $1,513 annual mid-Hudson adjustment.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before January 21, 2017, you must have had experience as an automotive mechanic, automotive diagnostician, or automotive technician instructor for the number of years shown below. Experience must have included diagnosis and repair of On Board Diagnostic 2 (OBD2) Systems.

For No. 26-166010 and No. 26-167010: three years of experience, as described above, acquired within the last ten years.

For No. 26-168010 and No. 26-169010: five years of experience, as described above, acquired within the last ten years.

Non-qualifying experience: Activities comprised solely of fueling; changing oil, water, antifreeze, batteries or tires; replacing fan belts, air filters, or oil filters; installing windshield wiper blades or light bulbs; polishing and washing; repairing, installing, or replacing seat safety belts, upholstery or communications equipment, or repairs performed not on the vehicle, but only on parts of the vehicle removed by others is NOT qualifying. Also, experience limited to automotive repair and/or maintenance of personal vehicles performed in non-commercial setting is NOT qualifying.

*If you speak Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Italian, Korean, or Russian and you meet the minimum qualifications, you are encouraged to apply for examination Nos. 26-167010 and 26-169010 as DMV anticipates making appointments to positions requiring language proficiency.

Important Information for Candidates: Candidates who currently only have the level of experience required to compete in the Automotive Facilities Inspector Traineeship (NS equated to SG-14) examination MAY be considered for appointment at the Automotive Facilities Inspector (SG-16) level if at the time of the employment interview they have acquired the additional experience described in the minimum qualifications for the SG-16 examination. You should therefore consider applying for the trainee-level examination even if you are not interested in appointment at that level.

Substitutions

1. Any combination of substitutions cannot exceed three years of the experience required for the full performance level or two years for the trainee level. Candidates for Exam 26-166010 and No. 26-167010 must have a minimum of one year of the required experience described above in the minimum qualifications, and candidates for Exam No. 26-168010 and No. 26-169010 must have a minimum of two years of the required experience.
2. Experience in a position involving field investigative work may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.
3. Experience as a service writer or body damage estimator/adjuster may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.
4. Satisfactory completion of a trade, vocational or industry-sponsored school in general automotive service repair may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience on the basis of one hour of vocational schooling equaling two hours of work experience. For example, three months of hands-on training will equal six months of work experience. If training is less than full-time such as BOCES, you must indicate the average number of hours of general automotive service repair per week in addition to the number of months.
5. College coursework leading to a degree in automotive technology (mechanics) or automotive engineering may be substituted for up to four years of the required experience for the full-performance level and up to two years for the trainee level on the basis of 15 semester credit hours equaling six months of experience. To receive credit for college course work you must submit with your application a list of successfully completed courses including the semester credit hours received per course or a copy of your transcript. (See Substitution 4 above).
6. College coursework, in an unrelated field, leading to a degree may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience for the full-performance level and up to one year for the trainee level on the basis of 15 semester credit hours equaling six months of experience. To receive credit for college course work you must submit with your application a list of successfully completed courses including the semester credit hours received per course or a copy of your transcript. (See Substitution 4 above).
7. Experience in repair and diagnosis of motorcycles can be substituted for up to four years of experience for the full-performance level or two years of experience for the trainee level.

Notes

1. Candidates appointed from exam No. 26-166010 and No. 26-167010 will be required to obtain, within their two year traineeship, a total of five valid certifications (or a passing score reports) from the Automobile/Light truck series (A Series) AND/OR from the Medium/Heavy truck test series (T Series) from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
2. Candidates appointed from exam No. 26-168010 and No. 26-169010 will be required to obtain, within their one year probation, a total of five valid certifications (or a passing score reports) from the Automobile/Light truck series (A Series) AND/OR from the Medium/Heavy truck test series (T Series) from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
3. Eligible lists from these examinations may be used to fill language parenthetic positions that currently exist or are established during the life of the list. If you are considered for appointment to a language parenthetic position, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in that language. Proficiency must be at a level which will permit you to perform the duties of the position satisfactorily.
4. Appropriate part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
5. New York State residence is not required.
6. 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. This information can also be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee. If you are applying on the Internet, you must mail the independent verification of equivalency to the New York State Department of Civil Service, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S1MPR.
7. If you pass the examination for No. 26-167010 Automotive Facilities Inspector Trainee 1 (Various Language Parenthetics) or No. 26-169010 Automotive Facilities Inspector (Various Language Parenthetics), you will be required to demonstrate your 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.
8. If you submit an application for No. 26-167010 Automotive Facilities Inspector Trainee 1 (Various Language Parenthetics) or No. 26-169010 Automotive Facilities Inspector (Various Language Parenthetics), an application will automatically be submitted for you for No. 26-166010 Automotive Facilities Inspector Trainee 1 or 26-168010 Automotive Facilities Inspector at no additional cost.
9. Appointment to any title will remove your name from consideration for appointment to any other title at the same salary grade.
10. 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. In addition, some automotive facility related civil penalties and/or unresolved DMV administrative cases may bar appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.

The Positions

These field positions are located throughout New York State and require extensive field work and daily travel within a designated region of assignment. Appointees to these positions will be required to operate a motor vehicle; therefore, you must possess a driver???s license valid in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.

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Duties

As an Automotive Facilities Inspector or Automotive Facilities Inspector (Various Language Parenthetics), you would conduct inspections and audits of licensed/registered automotive facilities to ensure compliance with the laws, rules and regulations governing such facilities. You would investigate and evaluate consumer complaints of automotive facilities by contacting complainants, licensees, and registrants to determine the validity of the complaints. You would use appropriate automotive test equipment and may be required to disassemble portions of vehicles to determine the nature, extent, and necessity of work performed. You would determine whether the quality and type of repairs and maintenance work and the related costs are in conformance with written estimates and work orders, and act as mediator between consumers and automotive facilities. You would gather, label and prepare evidence in complaint cases and prepare reports of findings using laptop or desktop computers. You would testify at administrative hearings presenting the department???s case both through entering into the record evidence collected during an investigation, as well as witness and first hand direct testimony, you would make recommendations for actions against facilities. You may be required to testify at civil proceedings. You would ensure all types of automotive facilities meet their obligations as outlined in Articles 5, 12-A, 16, 20, 17 and 48, of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and Commissioner???s Regulation parts 78, 79, 81, 82, and 104. During investigation of consumer complaints and performing audits you would document deficiencies of all activities regulated by DMV division of Vehicle Safety and Clean Air. Based on Departmental guidelines you would make recommendations for Departmental actions to be taken. You would routinely work with DMV-specific computer software programs and may be required to analyze data from those programs as part of your investigations. You would conduct vehicle inspection certification classes for individuals seeking to become certified by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

As an Automotive Facilities Inspector Trainee 1 or Automotive Facilities Inspector Trainee 1 (Various Language Parenthetics), you would perform the same duties under close supervision and receive additional training. You would have the opportunity to advance to the full-performance level position after the successful completion of a two-year probationary traineeship. This includes obtaining the required current certification(s)/passing score report(s), as described in the notes for the Automotive Facilities Inspector, SG-16 examination. The Automotive Facilities Inspector and Automotive Facilities Inspector (Various Language Parenthetics) traineeships consist of one year as a Trainee 1 with a beginning salary of $42,833 and one as a Trainee 2 with a beginning salary of $45,257. Successful performance in either of the two-year traineeships will result in advancement to Automotive Facilities Inspector or Automotive Facilities Inspector (Various Language Parenthetics) without further examination.

Important: As the processing fee is non-refundable, 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. If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT received by the Department of Civil Service. No late applications will be accepted after the filing deadline has passed.

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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. Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles - These questions test for knowledge of the operating characteristics of the various mechanical and electrical components of motor vehicles and diagnostic practices involved in the maintenance and repair of these components.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Understanding and interpreting written material - These questions test how well you comprehend written material. You will be provided with brief reading selections and will be asked questions about the selections. All the information required to answer the questions will be presented in the selections; you will not be required to have any special knowledge relating to the subject areas of the selections.

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.

Important: The Department of Civil Service and other state agencies may communicate with you through email correspondence. This may include the notification of your 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

If you do not receive a confirmation number after submitting your online application, your application was NOT processed.

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 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, 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

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, call 518-474 6470 in the Albany area or toll free at 1-877-697-5627.

Multiple 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: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local.cfm

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.

S1/TC3 MPR-dah
Issued: 11/4/2016

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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