Utility Supervisors

You must review important information on the New York State Department of Civil Service COVID-19 policy that applies to all candidates sitting for in-person Civil Service examinations being administered at a New York State test center. You can access our full policy on the Department of Civil Service website.

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 Public Service.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before May 13, 2023, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Public Service and have had three months of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a:

For Exam No. 38-933010: Utility Engineering Specialist 3, Utility Analyst 3 (Cyber Security), Utility Engineering Specialist 3 (Gas Pipeline Safety), Utility Analyst 3, Power Systems Operations Specialist 4, Power Systems Operations Specialist 4 (Nuclear), Power Systems Operations Specialist 5, Power Transmission Planner 4, or Professional Engineer 2 (Gas Pipeline Safety).

For Exam No. 38-934010: Utility Analyst 3 (Environmental) or Utility Engineering Specialist 3 (Acoustics).

For Exam No. 38-935010: Utility Engineering Specialist 3 (Gas Pipeline Safety) or Professional Engineer 2 (Gas Pipeline Safety).

For Exam No. 38-936010: Utility Analyst 3 (Telecommunications) or Utility Specialist 4 (Telecommunications).

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before February 13, 2023, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.

Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.

Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List: After one year of service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.

The Positions: These positions exist in the New York State Department of Public Service and are located statewide.

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Duties

As a Utility Supervisor, you will provide the general supervision required for the implementation of directives and policies, staff development, and the successful completion of assigned work. The Utility Supervisor will lead, facilitate, and participate in meetings and work groups with personnel from the utility industry, utility interest groups, and consumer groups in order to conduct investigations, resolve utility and stakeholder disputes, develop strategic policy and conceptual proposals and recommendations for senior management based on expert knowledge of and experience within assigned utility or policy area; review and evaluate data and information and provide independent analyses, conclusions, and recommendations; write and compile testimony, publications, white papers, draft Commission orders, internal memos and presentations from staff recommendations; respond to inquiries from commissioners, legislators, consumers, and regulatory bodies; and lead and direct the resolution of the most difficult or controversial utility and policy assignments. Additionally, the Utility Supervisor responsibilities would include performing the full range of supervisory duties including approving leave and tracking time and attendance; identifying staff development needs; evaluating staff performance; and completing performance evaluations.

As a Utility Supervisor (Environmental), under the direction of the Section Chief, you would provide the general supervision required for the implementation of directives and policies, staff development, and the successful completion of assigned work. You would provide expert testimony and professional expertise as part of administrative proceedings on behalf of the Department of Public Service, will lead staff teams, and will oversee that work of others related to environmental certification of large scale renewable generation and electric and gas transmission facilities; inspection of active generation and transmission construction projects; performance of environmental compliance investigations; and review of utility vegetation management programs.

As a Utility Supervisor (Safety), under the direction of the Section Chief, you would provide the general supervision required for the implementation of directives and policies, staff development, and the successful completion of assigned work. You would provide expert testimony and professional expertise as part of administrative proceedings on behalf of the Department of Public Service, will lead staff teams, and will oversee that work of others related to ensuring gas pipeline operator compliance with State and federal regulations; performing facility design review; performing safety compliance audits and inspections; performing investigations of incidents involving natural gas and hazardous liquids pipelines; and, auditing and inspecting leak management, emergency response, and damage prevention performance.

As a Utility Supervisor (Telecommunications), under the direction of the Section Chief, you would supervise and manage a team of Utility Analysts, including subordinate supervisors. You would act as the lead analyst on the most complex and/or controversial cases or projects assigned to the work unit, be responsible for monitoring developments in the telecommunications industry; developing policy proposals and alternatives; coordinating with and advising other Department of Public Service offices, commissioners, consumers, legislators, and regulatory bodies on telecommunication regulatory issues.

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Subject of Examination

To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass the written test. The written test evaluates your knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in the following areas:

1. 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.
2. 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 correct 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.
3. Analyzing and evaluating information - These questions test for the ability to analyze, interpret, and draw reasonable conclusions from information presented in text, data, images or symbols. This may involve identifying a significant problem or issue; focusing on relevant data and text; identifying trends, relationships, and significant features; assessing relevant alternatives; suggesting or evaluating possible conclusions; and applying logical principles to information provided. You should bring with you a hand-held battery- or solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use the calculator function on your cell phone.
4. 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 his/her 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.
5. Understanding and applying administrative principles - These questions test for knowledge of how to effectively manage and direct an organization or an organizational segment. These questions cover such areas as developing objectives, formulating policies, making decisions, forecasting and planning, developing personnel, organizing and coordinating work, communicating information, providing leadership, and delegating authority and responsibility.

Test Guide & Sample Test Material: A General Guide to Written 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.

Note: The Department of Civil Service may administer tests either online or with paper booklets and answer sheets.

Admission To The Test: If approved for a written 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 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

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. Any past due application processing fees must be paid in full prior to submitting an application. Please email FeeUnitMail@cs.ny.gov regarding inquiries about any past due 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.

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 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.

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/TB2 MFN-klr
Issued: 2/24/23

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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