Ulster County Personnel Department
Civil Service Examination Announcement
NON-REFUNDABLE FILING FEE $40.00
#65006 POLICE CHIEF – TYPE B (TOWN OF ULSTER)
OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION
LAST DATE FOR FILING APPLICATIONS: February 9, 2016
EXAMINATION DATE: March 5, 2016
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM CANDIDATES WHO RESIDE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES ONLY: ULSTER, COLUMBIA, DELAWARE, DUTCHESS, GREENE, ORANGE AND SULLIVAN.
SALARY: The starting salary is currently listed at $113,250.00 per year.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must meet the following requirement(s) on or before the date of the examination:
Sixty (60) months of permanent competitive class status as a Police Sergeant and/ or Police Lieutenant, and/ or Police Captain with a recognized police department or police agency in New York State.
Special Note: Pursuant to New York State Civil Service law Section 58 (1-B), no person shall be eligible for appointment to any rank above the rank of police officer unless that person has been appointed a police officer from an eligible list established according to merit and fitness or has previously served as a member of the New York State Police.
The Eligible List established as a result of this examination, will be certified ONLY to the Town of Ulster.
APPLICATION REVIEW TOLERANCE POLICY
For the purposes of this policy, "tolerance" shall mean the leeway given regarding work experience when reviewing an application. Applicants lacking a small amount of work experience when applying for promotional or open-competitive examinations may qualify under the following conditions:
1) Candidates will be given a maximum tolerance of one (1) month.
2) Tolerance will be given only when the minimum qualification requires one or more years of work experience.
3) Tolerance Policy does not apply to education or licensure/certification requirements. (See particular examination announcement for "Anticipated Eligibility" information).
4) Tolerance Policy does not apply where required work experience is set forth by law or rules.
5) Tolerance Policy does not apply to enable applicants to meet residence requirements.
For more information regarding Tolerance Policy, please contact our office at (845) 340-3550.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for all police functions and requires the ability to plan, administer and direct the activities of a town or village police force consisting of more than ten (10) but less than fifty (50) full-time police officers with an organizational structure which may range from one supervisory level of more than two (2) full-time positions between the chief and patrol officer levels to three (3) supervisory levels, with two (2) levels having less than three (3) full-time positions at each level. The instruction and training of recruits, as well as the maintenance of high standards of performance throughout the department, are final responsibilities of the Police Chief. The work is performed in accordance with state and local laws according to established policies and objectives with considerable leeway allowed for the exercise of discretion and judgment. The work is reviewed through conferences and reports. Direct supervision is exercised over all subordinate members of the police force. Does related work as required.
SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: Written test will cover knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:
1. Knowledge of law enforcement methods, practices and procedures
These questions test for knowledge of accepted police methods and practices and/or their application to situations in the police field. The questions are a sampling of the various knowledge that police personnel may be required to possess in the course of their day-to-day, work-related activities. Areas covered include investigation procedures, patrol techniques, police-community relations, courtroom procedures, personnel practices, policy making and budgeting procedures.
2. Knowledge of New York State laws
These questions test the candidates' knowledge of the laws in effect on January 1, 2016. This portion of the test is a sampling of the various sections of the law that police personnel may encounter in the course of their day-to-day work-related activities. Laws covered may include the Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Family Court Act, and other laws relevant to law enforcement in New York State.
3. Police Administrative Supervision and Administration
These questions test for the knowledge of managerial functions involved in directing the operations of a B or C level police department as well as the knowledge of the principles and practices involved in supervising a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. These questions cover such areas as: developing objectives and formulating policies; forecasting and planning; organizing and coordinating; informing and instructing; guiding and leading; decision-making and problem solving; communicating effectively; staffing and staff development; time management; assigning work and evaluating performance; handling conflict and grievances; and budgeting.
4. Job simulation exercises in police administration and command
Against the background of knowledge required for the position, this will include two job simulation exercises that cover such areas as: human resources management, management of operations, problem-solving, decision-making under pressure, public relations, and police procedure.
5. Understanding and interpreting written material
These questions test how well you comprehend written material. You will be provided with brief reading selections and will asked questions about the selections. All the information required to answer the questions will be presented in the selections; you will not be required to have any special knowledge relating to the subject areas of the selections.
6. Preparing written material in a police setting
These questions test for the ability to prepare the types of reports that police personnel write. 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 of the sentences.
P. E. R. C. Statement
The final rating key for this examination will be established by the State Civil Service Commission prior to the testing date, upon recommendation of a committee of police experts who will review all the questions for appropriateness and accuracy. There will be no review of the questions by candidates. The committee was selected with the assistance and endorsement of the Police Conference of New York, Inc., the New York State Association of PBAs, Inc., and the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc.
A Guide for the Written Test for Police Chief/Assistant Chief is available at the New York State website: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm. Candidates not having access to a computer or the internet may request copy of the test guide from the municipal civil service office conducting this examination using the contact information found elsewhere on this announcement.
NOTICE TO CANDIDATES: THE USE OF CALCULATORS/CELL PHONES IS PROHIBITED IN THIS EXAMINATION.
*FEES*: Send your check or money order for forty dollars ($40.00) (made payable to COUNTY OF ULSTER) with your application. Please include the examination number, title, and applicant’s name on your check or money order. DO NOT SEND CASH. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED, therefore, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the qualifications for admission and apply only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.
EXCEPTION TO FEE REQUIREMENT: An exception to the processing fee will be made for persons receiving Supplemental Social Security payments or public assistance (Safety Net Assistance or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), provided Foster Care or certified Workforce Investment Act of 1998 eligible through a state or local social service agency, and for those who are currently unemployed. Individuals wishing to claim this waiver of fee on the basis of Supplemental Social Security, Safety Net Assistance or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, must certify on their application, under number 20 Remarks, that they are receiving public assistance and must indicate the type of assistance they are receiving, the agency providing the assistance and their case numbers. Persons claiming this waiver through Foster Care or Workforce Investment Act of 1998 Certification must specify the program and name of their contact agency. Persons claiming this waiver, who are currently unemployed must certify on their application, under number 20 Remarks, that they are currently unemployed and must provide documentation that they are receiving unemployment benefits or other unemployment documentation deemed appropriate by the Ulster County Personnel Officer.Such claims are subject to later verification and, if not supported by appropriate documentation, are grounds for barring appointment.
Applications may be obtained at the Ulster County Office Building, Personnel Department, 244 Fair Street ‑ 5th Floor, P.O. Box 1800, Kingston, NY 12402‑1800 OR by mail (INCLUDE A STAMPED SELF‑ADDRESSED, LEGAL‑ SIZE ENVELOPE) OR from our website at: http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/personnel/index.html. Applications must be received by the Ulster County Personnel Department or postmarked no later than the ‘LAST DATE FOR FILING APPLICATIONS’ stated on page one of this announcement.
For those applications submitted in person on the last file date, please submit no later than 4:30 PM. All applications must be in our office no later than 5:00 PM on the last file date. Applications postmarked by the last file date will also be accepted.
This examination is being prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service in accordance with Section 23‑2 of the Civil Service Law. The provisions of the New York State Civil Service Rules and Regulations dealing with the rating of examinations will apply to this test.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION POLICY: In accordance with Ulster County Local Law Number 14 of 2007, a criminal background check (including fingerprinting) will be initiated by the Ulster County Personnel Department upon initial employment or re-hire to Ulster County positions, and conducted by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the New York State Office of Court Administration, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Verification Information System (IMAGE Program), or any law enforcement agency.
SPECIAL NOTE: All public agencies are required by law to provide full and equal opportunities for minorities, women and to people with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to compete without regard to race, creed or national origin. Applicants requesting special testing arrangements as a Saturday Sabbath Observer, alternate test date candidate (in accordance with Alternate Test Date Policy), or an active member of the military away from the area on the scheduled test date must clearly indicate this fact on the application. All such requests must be supported by appropriate documentation.
VETERANS: Non-disabled and disabled veterans who wish to claim additional credits MUST request a Veterans Credits application from our office. This form must be completed and submitted along with a war service (DD214) form prior to the establishment of the resulting eligible list. Veterans credits may only be added to a passing score and may only be used for appointment once. Candidates currently in the armed forces may apply for and be conditionally granted veteran’s credits. Any candidate who applies for such credits must provide proof of military status to receive the conditional credits. You may not claim additional Veterans Credits after the eligible list has been established. It is the candidate’s responsibility to request the Veterans Credits application forms and submit these forms and any required supporting paperwork before the eligible list is established.
On November 5, 2013, New York State voters approved an amendment to Article 5, section 6, of the New York Constitution regarding the award and use of additional credits for certain disabled veterans on open competitive and promotion civil service examinations for positions with New York State and local governments.
For eligible lists established after January 1, 2014, disabled veterans may be entitled to additional credits on a civil service examination. Every situation is different. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact our office.
ADDITIONAL CREDITS FOR CHILDREN OF FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY: In conformance with section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.
APPLYING FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS IN MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS WHEN EXAMINATIONS ARE SCHEDULED ON SAME DATE: If you have applied for any other Civil Service examinations for employment with any other local government jurisdiction, you must make arrangements to take all the examinations at one test site. Please indicate your intentions under #20 remarks on the application for examination.
If you have applied for both State and Local government examinations, please indicate this on your application under #20 remarks. You must make arrangements to take all your examinations at the State examination center no later than two weeks before the test date. You will be informed by letter when and where to report for the examinations. You should bring all admission notices with you to the State test site along with the State admission notice you receive from New York State Civil Service.
If you have applied for other local government examinations, call or write to each Civil Service Agency to make arrangements. You must make your request for these arrangements no later than two weeks before the date of the examinations. You must notify all local government civil service agencies with whom you have filed an application of the test site at which you wish to take your examination(s). For this examination call (845) 340‑ 3531 OR write to Ulster County Personnel Department, 244 Fair Street ‑ 5th Floor, P.O. Box 1800, Kingston, NY 12402‑1800.
*If candidates have not received notification of this examination within four (4) days of the examination, they should contact this office immediately.
#65006
ORIGINAL COPY: YELLOW
ISSUED: January 8, 2016
