Correction Sergeant

Location of multiple-choice test: The multiple-choice test will be held at various correctional facilities throughout the state. You will be assigned to a test site based on the facility where you work at the time of filing the application. If you are reassigned to another facility after applying for the test, your test site will be changed. THERE IS NO NEED TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE ABOUT CHANGING YOUR TEST SITE. ALL REASSIGNMENTS WILL BE MONITORED TO ENSURE THAT EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE TESTED NEAR HIS/HER FACILITY.

Promotion examination open to all qualified employees of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before May 22, 2024, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and have had two years of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Correction Officer, Correction Officer (Spanish Language), or Community Correctional Center Assistant. The required two years of service is IN ADDITION TO time spent as a Correction Officer Trainee. Service as a Correction Officer Trainee or Correction Officer Trainee (Spanish Language) does NOT meet the requirements for taking the test or appointment from the list.

Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before June 22, 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 three years of service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

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Duties

As a Correction Sergeant or Correction Sergeant (Spanish Language), under the supervision of a Correction Lieutenant, you would function primarily in the capacity of an Area Supervisor or Assistant Watch Commander (assistant to the shift supervisor) and directly supervise Correction Officers in New York State Correctional Facilities, ensuring all Department policies, procedures, and goals are adhered to.

Additional Requirements for Appointment:

• Language Proficiency: If you pass the examination and apply to a title which requires language proficiency, you must demonstrate your language proficiency at a level that will ensure your ability to perform the duties of the position properly. The proficiency test will only be given to enough candidates to fill current vacancies.

Note:

• If you submit an application for an examination with a language parenthetic, an application will automatically be submitted for you for the non-language examination.

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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:

1. Rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to the operation of a correctional facility - These multiple-choice questions test for knowledge of the Employee Manual, Incarcerated Individual Rule Book, and DOCCS directives. Directives useful for the completion of the multiple-choice questions will be provided in the study guide.
2. Supervision in a correctional facility - This job simulation exercise tests for the ability to: direct the activities of subordinate staff in such areas as issuing directions, demonstrating leadership, evaluating performance of staff, maintaining work standards, motivating and developing staff, and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline; appropriately handle problems that occur in connection with the performance of these activities; investigate allegations of staff misconduct; and delegate authority to subordinate staff in carrying out department operations. Documents useful for the completion of this exercise will be referenced in the study guide.
3. Controlling emergency situations and maintaining security - This job simulation exercise tests for the ability to: control and contain emergency situations; identify pertinent information and pick up on visual cues indicating potential security problems; and draw appropriate conclusions and use reasoned responses to security situations. Documents useful for the completion of this exercise will be referenced in the study guide.

Study Guide: All eligible candidates will receive a Study Guide approximately 60 days in advance of the test date. It will provide additional details concerning the various formats of this examination (Multiple Choice and Written Job Simulation Exercises), specific directives for study, as well as suggestions for examination preparation. This Study Guide is being developed by the New York State Department of Civil Service and will be made available to all candidates at the facility where they are employed at the time of distribution.

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.

Admission To The Test: If approved for your examination, you will receive an admission notice approximately one week prior to the test date. The reporting test time is 8:30 a.m. You must bring your admission notice and valid photo identification with you. There will be administrative paperwork to complete prior to the test beginning. There will be no smoking at the test site.

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

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

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 multiple-choice 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 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 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 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/TC1 CAV-tlm
Issued: 12/15/23

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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