Computer Operators

*Full Performance Salary (G-10) is $42,493.

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.

Appointees who work in the five boroughs of New York City or in Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, or Westchester Counties will receive an additional $3,087 annual downstate adjustment. Appointees who work in Dutchess, Orange, or Putnam Counties will receive an additional $1,543 annual mid-Hudson adjustment.

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Minimum Qualifications

On or before March 23, 2024, you must have a:

For Exam No. 26-994 Computer Operator Trainee: high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma.

For Exam No. 21-001010 Senior Computer Operator: high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma or successful completion of a vocational studies program related to Computer Information Systems;

AND one-year full time experience where you are responsible for one or a combination of the following:

• large scale/commercial printing equipment
• mainframe or medium to large server
• multi-variable print production
• information technology related activities***

***Information technology related activities is defined as experience in one or more of the following: artificial intelligence; business systems analysis; cloud computing; computer installation; diagnosis and repair of computer related equipment; computer programming; cybersecurity/information assurance; data analytics; database administration, systems design and management; design and development of geographic information systems; design and development of computer aided drafting applications; digital forensics; informatics; information technology; IT customer support and training; interactive user experience (UX); internet/intranet development, design, and maintenance; network management; program design; program testing; project management; server management; storage management; systems management; telecommunications; virtual computer technology.

• If you expect to meet the educational requirements by September 30, 2024, you can take the multiple-choice test. You MUST submit proof of successful completion of the educational requirements to the appointing authority at the time of the employment interview or you will not be considered for appointment. Failure to meet the educational requirements by September 30, 2024, may result in your removal from the eligible list.
• Your required educational credentials must have been awarded by an educational institution accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States (U.S.) Department of Education/Secretary of Education. If awarded by an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of companies that provide these services (fees must be paid to the company you choose) can be found at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm.
• If verifiable, we will accept and prorate appropriate part-time and volunteer experience.
• New York State residency is not required.

**Traineeships: To be advanced to the full performance level of this title, you must successfully complete a set of training and development programs. Upon satisfactory completion of the 6-month training at the trainee level, you will automatically advance to the full level (SG-10, beginning salary $42,493) of this title without further examination.

You may, at the agency's discretion, be appointed to a higher level (Advanced Placement). You must inform the agency of any additional qualifications at the time of your interview.

For advanced placement to the Full Performance level, you must also have: six months full-time experience in the operation of large scale/commercial printing equipment, a mainframe or medium to large server, multi-variable print production, or information technology related activities as listed above.

Additional Requirements for Appointment:

1. Background Investigation: Due to the nature of these positions, there may be an investigative screening which could 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. Each case is determined on its own merit, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.
2. Fingerprints and Fees: You may be required to get fingerprinted at the time of appointment. You may be responsible for payment of the processing fee.
3. Probation: If you are appointed to a trainee level position, but your conduct or performance during the traineeship is found to be unsatisfactory, the appointing authority may terminate your employment at any time.

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Duties

As a Computer Operator Trainee, you would monitor and control the operation of data center equipment, monitor mission-critical customer systems, and operate print equipment to provide 24/7 service to customer agencies in conformance with documented procedures. You would monitor all system consoles and hardware diagnostic displays for mainframe and open systems to ensure that systems are operating efficiently and customer on-line transactions, batch programs and data transfers are properly executing. In many installations, off-shift operators act as Help Desk consultants for users of remote systems and may consult with programmers/analysts on procedural matters and problems. You may be required to move or lift equipment and supplies. Some positions require employees to work nights, weekends, holidays and/or compressed work shifts. Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and/or practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level.

As a Senior Computer Operator, you would supervise staff that monitors and controls the operation of data center equipment, monitors mission-critical customer systems, and operates print equipment to provide 24/7 service to customer agencies in conformance with documented procedures. You would create and monitor batch job scheduling/calendar packages for open systems and mainframes. You would ensure official agency policies and procedures are observed and advise management of accomplishments and pending issues. Some positions require employees to work nights, weekends, holidays and/or compressed work shifts.

Note: A promotion examination will also be held for the Senior Computer Operator positions. 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 promotion examinations are being held, it is expected that appointments will be made as a result of the open competitive exam.

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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:	For Examination Numbers
	26-994	21-001010
1. Reading and interpreting instructions relating to the execution of computer programs - These questions test for skill in following and applying written directions expressed as generalized operator instructions. You will be presented with generalized operating instructions and specific rules for applying them. All the information needed to answer the questions is presented in the test booklet; training on any particular computer system is not required.	X	X
2. Understanding and interpreting written material - These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material. You will be presented with brief reading passages and will be asked questions about the passages. You should base your answers to the questions only on what is presented in the passages and not on what you may happen to know about the topic.	X
3. Coding/decoding information - These questions test for the ability to follow a set of coding rules. Some questions will require you to code information by converting certain information into letters or numbers. Other questions will require you to decode information by determining if the information that has already been converted into letters or numbers is correct. Complete directions will be provided; no previous knowledge of or training in any coding system is required.	X
4. Name and number checking - These questions test for the ability to distinguish between sets of words, letters, and/or numbers that are almost exactly alike. Material is usually presented in two or three columns, and you will have to determine how the entry in the first column compares with the entry in the second column and possibly the third. You will be instructed to mark your answers according to a designated code provided in the directions.	X
5. Operation of computer hardware and peripheral equipment - These questions test for technical knowledge and concepts relevant to information technology and the operation of a computer and associated peripheral equipment. Although the questions asked are not specific to any vendor or any model of computer, the questions on storage media and peripheral equipment cover such subjects as characteristics of tape and disk systems as storage media, basic data communications terms, and the operation of peripheral equipment.		X
6. Work scheduling - These questions test for knowledge of the principles of computer work scheduling and for skill in applying them. Some of the questions you will be given are based on a generalized work scheduling situation that contains all of the information needed to answer the questions.		X
7. 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. Your final score on the eligible list will be determined after adding any wartime Veterans' and Civil Service Law Section 85-a credits.

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/myaccountt.

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How To Apply

There are two steps that must be completed to apply for and take this examination. This examination uses a "Dashboard" to serve as a navigation tool to guide you through the application process.

Step 1: Complete and submit the online examination application on or before 11:59 p.m., February 7, 2024.

Step 2: Complete and submit the online questionnaire. The online questionnaire is where you demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications. The online questionnaire must be completed and submitted on or before 11:59 p.m., February 7, 2024. The Dashboard is found here: http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/dashboard-start/computer-operator-series-oc.cfm.

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 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.

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/TA1-BLM-ctc
Issued: 1/5/24

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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