Biologist 3 (Aquatic) & Biologist 3 (Marine)

Due to current testing space limitations, candidates may need to travel to a test site to take this examination. Candidates will be notified of their test site location on their admission notice.

Promotion examination open to all qualified employees of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

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Minimum Qualifications

**On or before August 3, 2024, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and have been appointed on or before June 26, 2024 as a permanent competitive, non-competitive NY HELPS*, or 55-b/55-c service as follows:

For Exam No. 31-156010:

Either A. a Biologist 2 (Aquatic), Fish Culturist 6, Pathologist 2 (Aquatic), Fish Culturist 5, or Biologist 1 (Aquatic);

Or B. a Biologist 2 (Ecology), Biologist 2 (Marine), Biologist 2 (Wildlife), Biologist 1 (Ecology), Biologist 1 (Marine), or Biologist 1 (Wildlife).

For Exam No. 31-158:

Either A. a Biologist 2 (Marine), or Biologist 1 (Marine);

Or B. a Biologist 2 (Aquatic), Biologist 2 (Ecology), Biologist 2 (Wildlife), Biologist 1 (Aquatic), Biologist 1 (Ecology), or Biologist 1 (Wildlife).

Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before June 26, 2024, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.**

*If you were permanently appointed via the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class on or before June 26, 2024, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you may apply for this examination.**

Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List: Successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list as follows:

For Exam No. 31-156010: After one year of service as a Biologist 2 (Aquatic), Fish Culturist 6, Biologist 2 (Ecology), Biologist 2 (Marine), Biologist 2 (Wildlife) OR two years as a Pathologist 2 (Aquatic), Fish Culturist 5, Biologist 1 (Aquatic), Biologist 1 (Ecology), Biologist 1 (Marine), or Biologist 1 (Wildlife).

For Exam No. 31-158: After one year of service as a Biologist 2 (Marine), Biologist 2 (Aquatic), Biologist 2 (Ecology), Biologist 2 (Wildlife) OR two years as a Biologist 1 (Aquatic), Biologist 1 (Ecology), Biologist 1 (Marine), or Biologist 1 (Wildlife).

Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class will have their names restricted from appointment from the eligible list until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by action of the New York State Civil Service Commission or otherwise obtain permanent competitive status in the position.

Order of Certification: The order of certification of this eligible list will be

1. Department "A" eligibles
2. Department "All" eligibles

The Positions: These positions exist in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and are located throughout New York State.

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Duties

As a Biologist 3 (all parenthetical titles), you would serve as a second level supervisor, functioning as a section or regional manager within your specialty areas, depending on the size of the program, and oversee various units staffed by Biologists 2 and other professional, technical or scientific positions that function as first level supervisors of a unit.

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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. Administrative supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and their subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.
2. Administrative techniques and practices - These questions test for a knowledge of management techniques and practices used in directing or assisting in directing a program component or an organizational segment. Questions cover such areas as interpreting policies, making decisions based on the context of the position in the organization, coordinating programs or projects, communicating with employees or the public, planning employee training, and researching and evaluating areas of concern.
3. Evaluating conclusions based on factual information - These questions test your ability to evaluate and draw conclusions from factual information presented. Each question consists of a set of factual statements and a conclusion. You will be asked to determine whether the conclusion can be proven to be true by the facts, proven to be false by the facts, or if the facts are inadequate to prove the conclusion.
4. Preparing reports and official documents - These questions test for the ability to prepare reports and other official documents for use within and among governmental agencies, in legal or regulatory settings, or for dissemination to the public. Some questions test for a knowledge of grammar, usage, punctuation, and sentence structure. Others test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, to use the proper tone, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly.
5. Working and interacting with others - These questions test for knowledge of how to effectively approach work and maintain professional relationships with others in the workplace. Each question presents a situation and a number of possible approaches for handling it. Question topics may include working with supervisors and coworkers, interacting with members of the public, handling conflict, and managing workplace demands and priorities. The questions are not specific to any job title or place of work.

Test Guide & Sample Test Material: A General Guide to Multiple-Choice Tests is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm. Sample Test Material for the subject areas described above is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/sampletestmat.cfm.

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 a multiple-choice test, 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 notification of your application status, 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

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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 RAW-ctc
Issued: 5/17/24**Revised Material: 6/17/24

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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