Exam Resources

Applications & Fees

About the Exams

Taking the Exams

Tolerance Policy: Click to read Tolerance Policy regarding application review.
Veterans Credit Information: Click here for forms and instructions

Taking the Exams

Admission to Examination

Do not interpret a notice to appear for, or actual participation in the examination to mean that you have been found to meet fully the announced requirements.

Depending on the time available before an examination applicants maybe admitted to the examination on the basis of statements made on the application or conditionally, without prior review of the application. Such statements may not be reviewed and/or verified until after the examination is held. At that time, those candidates not meeting the requirements are disqualified. Candidates who are subsequently disqualified after taking the test will NOT be notified of their score.

Call the Ulster County Personnel office immediately if you do not receive a notice within four days of the date of examination informing you whether or not you are to be admitted to the examination.

Calculators
Most civil service written tests do not require the use of a calculator; however, candidates have the option of bringing a quiet, hand-held, NON-PROGRAMMABLE, solar or battery powered calculator to the test room unless specifically notified that their use is prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials.

Change of Address
Notify this office immediately of any change of address, in writing.

Inclement weather
If we cancel an examination because of inclement weather, the following radio stations (and their websites) will be notified on the morning of the examination:

WRRV 92.7/96.9     

WPDH 101.5          

THE WOLF 97.7/97.3

Or, visit the hudsonvalleyclosings.com website.

Alternate Test Dates
May be arranged upon review of circumstances according to the AlternateTest Date Policy established by this department.

* Note for Saturday Sabbath Observers, Handicapped Persons, Active Duty Military Members
If special arrangements for testing are required, indicate this on your application form.

Multiple Examinations
If you have applied for any other Civil Service examinations for employment with new York State or any other local government jurisdiction, you must make arrangements to take all the examinations at one test site no later than two weeks before the test date. Call (845) 340-3550 for further information regarding multiple examinations on the same date.

Veterans
Disabled and non-disabled war veterans who are eligible for additional credits must submit an application for veterans credits. Candidates who wish to claim veterans credits on an examination should request an application and information sheet from the Ulster County Personnel Department. Veteran's application forms will also be available upon request at the examination center. The completed and notarized forms must be received in the office as soon as possible after the examination date or before the eligible list for this examination is established.

Types of Civil Service Examinations

Open Competitive Examinations
Some examinations are "open competitive" which means that any person meeting all the minimum requirements may apply to take the examination.

Promotion Examinations
Other examinations are "promotional" which means that only those employees already in permanent competitive positions in civil service in certain agencies, who meet the minimum requirements, may apply to take the examination. Promotion Examinations may be countywide, or they may be limited to certain department, divisions or offices. On Promotion Examinations, seniority credits are added to candidate's passing test scores according to the employee's years of permanent competitive service status . Promotion by non-competitive examination is possible whenever there are no more than three persons eligible to compete in a promotion examination for a vacant competitive class position. The appointing authority may nominate one of these eligible persons to take the Promotion Examination without competition, subject to the approval of the Personnel Department.

Continuous Recruitment Examinations
We continuously accept applications for many clerical, custodial, telephone operator and water/wastewater positions. Examinations are generally held twice a year. Names of eligibles are interfiled according to grade and remain on eligible lists for up to two years. Additionally applications for certain health care, mental health, and attorney positions are received continuously. Rather than a written examination we rank applicants on the basis of their training and experience. Successful applicants are placed on an eligible list for up to four years.

Residence Preference
Preference in appointment from open-competitive lists may be given to candidates who have been residents of the locality in which appointmet is to be made for at least 30 days prior to certification of the eligible list. For appointment in some jurisdictions you may be required to become a resident thereof in accordance with law or resolution.