Local Government Specialist 1
- Written Test To Be Held
- August 11, 2018
- Applications Must Be Submitted or Postmarked By
- June 27, 2018
Exam Number | Exam Title | Salary | Salary Grade | Non−Refundable Processing Fee (Waivers available) |
---|---|---|---|---|
26-396010 | Local Government Specialist 1 | $56,604 | G-18 | $35 |
26-397 | Local Government Specialist 2 | $73,284 | G-23 | $40 |
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. 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. 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. |
Appointees who work in Westchester County will receive an additional $3,026 annual downstate adjustment.
Minimum Qualifications
For No. 26-396010:
Either 1. a master???s or higher degree AND one year of full-time qualifying experience;*
Or 2. a bachelor???s degree AND two years of full-time qualifying experience;*
Or 3. an associate???s degree AND four years of full-time qualifying experience;*
For No. 26-397:
Either 1. a master???s or higher degree AND two years of full-time qualifying experience;*
Or 2. a bachelor???s degree AND three years of full-time qualifying experience;*
Or 3. an associate???s degree AND five years of full-time qualifying experience;*
*Qualifying Experience: Experience drafting and analyzing policies and strategies that include land use and/or financial planning, service delivery, economic development or finance to assist local governments.
If you expect to meet the educational requirements by January 31, 2019, 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 requirement to the Appointing Authority at the time of the employment interview. Failure to meet the educational requirements by January 31, 2019 may result in your removal from the eligible list.
Notes
- It is essential that you describe your education and experience as completely as possible within the examination application. Ambiguity, vagueness or omissions will NOT be decided in your favor. The information you provide in your application will be the only basis for determining your eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for examination.
- Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree 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 NYS Department of Civil Service, Albany, New York 12239. Attention: S2SER.
- A promotion examination is also being held for Local Government Specialist 2. If you are eligible for appointment from a promotion list, you may not be appointed in your own agency from the list resulting from this examination open to the public.
- Although a promotion examination is being held for Local Government Specialist 2, it is expected that appointments will be made as the result of the examination open to the public.
- As these positions involve substantial travel, you must possess a valid New York State driver???s license and have access to a motor vehicle or otherwise demonstrate your capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job. This requirement must be met at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter. Travel expenses will be reimbursed on a fixed schedule.
- Qualifying part-time and volunteer experience, which can be verified, will be accepted on a prorated basis.
- New York State residence is not required.
Duties
As a Local Government Specialist 1, you will work independently to facilitate projects requiring research, analysis, public outreach and policy development; assist local officials with challenges related to land use planning and regulation, finance, cost-efficiency, efficient management, long-range administrative planning and inter-municipal cooperation; draft and deliver training courses; manage projects and administer contracts for locally-supported activities approved through Department of State grants.
As a Local Government Specialist 2, you will prepare policies, procedures, guidelines, standards, and other criteria to implement Division of Local Government programs; draft and analyze legislative and budget proposals; facilitate inter-jurisdictional participation and collaboration among local, state, and federal officials as well as academic and advocacy groups to address challenges to local governments; lead multi-agency technical work groups to create and implement efficiency performance measures; and conduct the full range of supervisory responsibilities, such as evaluating staff performance to meet organizational goals and objectives and monitor time and attendance.
The Positions
These positions exist in the New York State Department of State. Currently these positions are located in Albany with one (1) Local Government Specialist 2 located in Peekskill.
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: | For Examination Nos. | |
---|---|---|
26-396010 | 26-397 | |
1. Understanding and interpreting charts, graphs, maps and tabular material - These questions test for the ability to read and analyze visual and numerical information presented in maps, plans, and various types of graphic and tabular material, and to perform related basic computations. All the information needed to answer the questions will be provided in the maps, plans, charts, graphs, tables, or related written material. | X | X |
2. Community and regional land use planning, including zoning and subdivision regulations - These questions test for knowledge of the concepts and accepted practices involved in community and large-area development planning, the laws and regulations governing site and subdivision planning, and typical project development and zoning issues, including related legal terminology. | X | X |
3. Sociological, economic, design and environmental factors involved in land use planning and community development - These questions test for knowledge of the fundamental concepts, design issues, terminology and practices utilized in the land use planning field, including how to best benefit the social, economic and environmental welfare of a community using appropriate planning principles. | X | X |
4. Ensuring effective inter/intra agency communications - These questions test for understanding of techniques for interacting effectively with individuals and agencies, to educate and inform them about topics of concern, to 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 the staff of one's own agency and/or that of other agencies in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service. | X | X |
5. 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 | X |
6. 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 |
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.
How To Apply
This announcement is for viewing purposes only.
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 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.
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, 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.
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/TC3 SER-dah
Issued: 05/25/2018
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