Department of Civil Service

Environmental Conservation Investigator 1 & 2

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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 June 14, 2025, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and have had three months of permanent competitive, non-competitive NY HELPS*, or 55b/55-c service as shown below. If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally** in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for this examination.

For Exam No. 31-094020: an Environmental Conservation Police Officer, Environmental Conservation Police Officer Trainee 2***, or an Environmental Conservation Police Officer Trainee 1***.

For Exam No. 31-095020: an Environmental Conservation Investigator 1, Supervising Environmental Conservation Police Officer, or an Environmental Conservation Police Officer (service as an Environmental Conservation Police Officer Trainee 1 or 2 does not meet this requirement).

Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.

If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before March 14, 2025, 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 position in the non-competitive class on or before March 14, 2025, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you may apply for this examination.

**If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title and had provisional service in the same title immediately preceding the permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required to apply for this examination. Your provisional appointment must have been on or before March 14, 2025, to qualify for this examination.

***If you pass the examination for Environmental Conservation Investigator 1 you will be restricted from appointment from the eligible list until you have one year of service as an Environmental Conservation Police Officer.

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.

Employees appointed to a non-competitive position 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.

If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for appointment from the eligible list.

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 an Environmental Conservation Investigator 1, you would be a sworn police officer with the Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation (BECI). You would conduct long-term investigations into criminal and civil violations of the Environmental Conservation Law and the Penal Law when it applies to violations involving the environment and/or natural resources. Assigned duties often require you to work at sites contaminated with hazardous substances and other hazards. You would conduct lengthy, covert, and detailed investigations; execute search warrants; write complex reports; make arrests; testify in court and administrative hearings; and deal with other matters concerned with investigations. You would also be required to prepare all necessary reports and legal documents associated with the duties of this position.

As an Environmental Conservation Investigator 2, within the Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation (BECI), you would directly supervise the day-to-day activities of subordinate investigators as assigned by the Regional Chief Environmental Conservation Officer and/or the BECI Chief Environmental Conservation Officer or Major Environmental Conservation. This would involve directing their work in progressively complex and sensitive cases, identifying and/or assigning training activities, reviewing and approving reports, documents, and site safety plans, etc. You would also perform appropriate supervisory and investigative duties while working at contaminated sites and assist in developing and maintaining contacts with other law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.

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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 Nos.
	31-094020	31-095020
1. DEC Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigations' techniques - These questions test for knowledge of investigative techniques in areas such as interviewing, surveillance, gathering and preserving evidence, and testifying in court.	X	X
2. EnCon Law, Title 6 NYCRR, Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law, and other relevant laws - These questions test for knowledge of the laws in effect on January 1, 2025 that Environmental Conservation Officers and Environmental Conservation Investigators may encounter in the course of their day-to-day work-related activities.	X	X
3. Evaluating information and evidence - These questions test the candidates' abilities to evaluate and draw conclusions from information and evidence. Each question consists of a set of facts and a conclusion based on the facts. The candidate must decide if a conclusion is warranted by the facts.	X	X
4. Preparing written material in a police setting - These questions test for the ability to prepare the types of reports and communications that police personnel write. The content is appropriate for the ranks/levels being tested. Some questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately. They consist of restatements of information given in note form. You must choose the best version from each set of four choices. Other questions test for the ability to organize paragraphs. They consist of paragraphs with their sentences out of order. For each of the paragraphs you must choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.	X	X
5. 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	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

Test Guide & Sample Test Material: A Guide to the Multiple-Choice Test for the Police Supervisors and Investigators Series is available on the Department website at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.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 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

Apply Online

You will need a personal NY.gov ID to apply for these examinations. If you do not have a personal NY.gov account, please create an account.

Environmental Conservation Investigator 1

Environmental Conservation Investigator 2

You Can Also

• Download examination application NYS-APP form; or
• Email cs.sm.examinfo@cs.ny.gov to request NYS-APP forms; or
• Obtain an NYS-APP form from a State agency or facility personnel/business office; or
• Request NYS-APP form by calling the Department of Civil Service in the Albany area at 518-457-2487 or toll free at 1-877-697-5627.

The NYS Department of Civil Service reserves the right to reject for lateness or to accept applications filed after the advertised filing period. All statements you make on your application are subject to investigation.

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 CPG-skh
Issued: 3/28/25

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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