Ulster County Personnel Department
Civil Service Examination Announcement
NON-REFUNDABLE FILING FEE $20.00
ALL ULSTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND ULSTER COUNTY BOCES
#75602 DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES II
PROMOTION EXAMINATION
LAST DATE FOR FILING APPLICATIONS: November 26, 2014
EXAMINATION DATE: January 24, 2015
SALARY: The starting salary varies by location.
Note to Applicants:
You MUST apply for both the statewide open-competitive examination and this promotion examination. Even if you are only interested in a promotion, you MUST take the corresponding statewide examination for the title listed above and for which you meet the minimum qualifications. Information on how to apply for the statewide open-competitive examinations can be found at www.cs.ny.gov.
Even though you must apply for both the statewide open-competitive examination and promotion examinations, you only have to take one examination which will be used to establish both the statewide open-competitive and the promotion eligible list for that title.
QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR TAKING THE TEST: At the time of examination, all candidates must be employed by an Ulster County School District or by Ulster County BOCES. Candidates must have at least twelve (12) months permanent, competitive class status in the position of Director of Facilities I; OR, candidates must have twenty-four (24) months, permanent, competitive class status in the position of either Building Maintenance Supervisor or Heating and Ventilating Building Maintenance Specialist; OR, candidates must have at least thirty-six (36) months permanent, competitive class status in the position of Head Custodian; AND, IN ADDITION, ALL CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENT(S):
Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and one of the following:
A. Bachelor’s or higher-level degree in School Facilities Management, Engineering, Engineering Technology, Building Construction Technology and two years of experience in school facilities maintenance, general building construction, building maintenance or repair work in two or more of the skilled trades*, which included two years of supervisory experience; OR
B. An Associate’s or higher-level degree in School Facilities Management, Engineering, Engineering Technology, Building Construction Technology and four years of experience in school facilities maintenance, general building construction, building maintenance or repair work in two or more of the skilled trades*, which included two years of supervisory experience; OR
C. Six years of experience in school facilities maintenance, general building construction, building maintenance or repair work in more than one of the skilled trades such, which included two years of supervisory experience.
*Skilled trades would include journey level experience as a carpenter, electrician, mason, plumber or heating, ventilating and air conditioning installers.
Non-Qualifying Experience: Experience limited to building cleaning is not qualifying. Building cleaning is defined as activities primarily involving a variety of inside and outside building cleaning activities including, but not limited to, washing walls and windows, polishing floors, cleaning restrooms, disposing of refuse.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license and certificates appropriate to the vehicles, equipment and/or machinery operated at time of appointment or during the course of employment consistent with the needs of the School District.
NOTE: Verifiable part-time experience may be prorated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS:
In accordance with the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) legislation, Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, and by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, candidates for appointment in school districts must obtain clearance for employment from the State Education Department prior to employment based upon a fingerprint and criminal history background check.
Any person otherwise meeting the requirement(s) for the examination who was laid‑off from an agency for which the examination is being held, and whose name is presently on a preferred list, is eligible to compete in the examination. When completing their applications, such persons should be sure to indicate their present employment and/or the title and location of their last permanent employment in the municipality.
Where College is a requirement, you will be expected to submit college transcripts no later than FEBRUARY 9, 2015 or you will be unconditionally disqualified. If college transcripts are already on file with our office, indicate this on your application. Once submitted, college transcripts will be held on file in our office for a period of TEN YEARS. Transcripts need not be official copies; However, they must contain ALL information necessary to qualify you for this position.
NOTE: If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee.
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: A Director of Facilities II is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the custodial and maintenance activities of a School District’s buildings and grounds department. The work is performed according to established policies and procedures and in accordance with applicable State, local, and federal laws, rules and regulations which apply to school district facility operations and maintenance. Although certain activities are performed in the office, the incumbent of this position will, on occasion, be required to perform maintenance and repair related tasks and activities, which may be performed indoors or outdoors under adverse working conditions. This position differs from Director of Facilities I in that the incumbent has a greater scope of responsibility, and is typically responsible for the supervision of more than one unit. Supervision is exercised over subordinate supervisors and staff, which may include employees of the transportation department or those responsible for building safety and security.
This position differs from Director of Facilities III in that this position is less administrative in nature. The work is performed under general supervision of a School District Administrator, which may include the Superintendent, with leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out details of the work. Does related work as required.
SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: Written test will cover knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:
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 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.
2. Review and interpretation of plans and specifications, the preparation of estimates, and oversight of contract compliance
These questions test for the ability to read and understand typical building plans, layouts, and technical specifications; the ability to calculate accurate estimates of material and labor costs, to oversee construction contracts, and to manage contract compliance.
3. Facilities management
These questions test for knowledge of the methods and materials used in the construction, alteration, maintenance and repair of physical plant facilities; the principles and practices involved in managing a building maintenance and energy conservation program; knowledge of typical contract documents; establishing and maintaining accident prevention and safety programs; and the principles and practices used by administrators when participating in the budget process. Questions may cover such areas as building structural elements, electrical and mechanical systems; proper building maintenance techniques, including determining the need for and scheduling repairs; energy conservation practices, including optimal heating plant and cooling system operation; reviewing and interpreting contracts; work place safety, including safety inspections, accident investigations, safety training, hazardous materials, personal protective equipment, and the mitigation of unsafe conditions; and program and capital budgeting, including estimating costs, budget proposals and justifications, controlling expenditures, and implementing the budget.
4. Preparing written material
These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.
A Guide for the Written Test for Director of Facilities I / II / III 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.
CALCULATORS: "Unless specifically prohibited, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand‑held, solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards, ‘Spell‑Checkers’, ‘Personal Digital Assistants’, ‘Address Books’, ‘Language Translators’, ‘Dictionaries’ and any similar devices are prohibited."
POINTS WILL BE ADDED TO AN ELIGIBLE SCORE AS FOLLOWS:
*Seniority . . . . . . . . . . . . . For each year 0.2
*Seniority is based on the length of continuous competitive (permanent) class service in the jurisdiction up to a maximum of twenty (20) years.
*FEES*: Send your check or money order for twenty dollars ($20.00) (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.
#75602
ORIGINAL COPY: BLUE
ISSUED: October 24, 2014
