Civil Service Examination Announcement
FILING FEE $20.00
#46832 SOCIAL SERVICES LAN SPECIALIST
PROMOTION - TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION
ULSTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
PLEASE READ ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY
LAST DATE FOR FILING APPLICATIONS: November 7, 2011
EXAMINATION DATE: See Exam Program Information Below.
EXAMINATION PROGRAM INFORMATION:
1) Applications must be received in the Ulster County Personnel Office or postmarked by the Last Filing Date of November 7, 2011.
2) Approved candidates will receive information regarding the Training and Experience Questionnaire to be completed via internet by a specified date.
3) An eligible list will be established based on the scores received as a result of the Training and Experience portion of the examination. Candidates are placed on the eligible list according to score. BEFORE candidates can be certified to prospective hiring agencies, they must pass a QUALIFYING (PASS/FAIL) PC-ADMINISTERED WRITTEN TEST. Candidates will be scheduled for this portion of the examination at a later date as needed.
SALARY: The starting salary is currently listed at $19.81 per hour.
QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR TAKING THE TEST: At the time of examination, candidates must be employed by the Ulster County Department of Social Services with at least twelve (12) months permanent, competitive class status in the position of Administrative Aide, Administrative Aide/Typist, Information Technology Supervisor, Legal Stenographer or Principal Clerk; OR twenty-four (24) months permanent, competitive class status in the position of Senior Account Clerk; OR thirty-six (36) months permanent, competitive class status in the position of Data Entry Operator; OR forty-eight (48) months permanent, competitive class status in the position of Senior Clerk or Senior Typist; OR sixty (60) months permanent, competitive class status in the position of Account Clerk; AND, IN ADDITION, MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENT(S):
Either:
A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate's
degree in Computer Science, Data Processing, or Information Systems, or a closely related field and three (3) years of full-time paid, or its part-time equivalent technical experience in a computer center environment utilizing a LAN Network ; OR
B. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five (5) years of full-time paid, or its part-time equivalent of technical experience in a computer center environment utilizing a LAN Network; OR
C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of A and B above.
Note: In order to be considered a closely related field, college level study must include, or be supplemented by, a minimum of fifteen (15) semester credit hours in computer science courses.
WHERE COLLEGE IS A REQUIREMENT, YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO SUBMIT COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS WITH YOUR APPLICATION OR YOU WILL BE UNCONDITIONALLY DISQUALIFIED. IF COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS ARE ALREADY ON FILE WITH OUR OFFICE, INDICATE THIS ON YOUR APPLICATION. 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: The work involves the responsibility for coordinating the implementation, and the ongoing local operation and support of the New York State Human Services Enterprise Network (HSEN). An incumbent serves in the role of local LAN Specialist for this program within the Ulster County Department of Social Services (DSS). The employee coordinates the efforts of the department staff by creating and updating a database within the HSEN network. The employee facilitates applications from all of the State human services agencies including; Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor (DOL), and the Office for Technology (OFT), as well as any new applications to support human services. The work is performed under the general supervision of the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner of Social Services, with considerable leeway allowed for exercising independent judgment in carrying out the details of the work. The work is performed in coordination with the Ulster County Department of Information Services staff. Supervision is not normally a function of this class. Does related work as required.
SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION:
The examination will consist of two parts: a rated evaluation of training and experience and a qualifying pc-administered test. You must pass the evaluation of training and experience in order to take the qualifying pc-administered test. You must pass both tests in order to be considered for appointment. Only your rating on the evaluation of training and experience will be considered when computing final scores.
Rated Evaluation of Training and Experience
You will complete a questionnaire that asks for specific information on your information technology education (formal degrees, IT-related training courses, certifications) and experience. You will also be asked to briefly describe a significant achievement in each of the job's areas and to provide the name and contact information for someone who can verify your information. The information you provide about your experience will be rated against the following areas:
Help Desk
User Support
Network Administration
Data Communications
Business/Systems Analysis
Microcomputer Repair
Qualifying pc-administered written test will be designed to test for knowledge, skills and/or abilities in such areas as:
Logical Reasoning and Interpreting Instructions for Computer-Related Positions:
These multiple-choice questions test for ability to reason logically and interpret instructions in a computer-related context. They cover verbal and quantitative reasoning, flowchart interpretation and applying written directions. The verbal and quantitative reasoning questions include logical implications (e.g., if A and B, then C) and relations (e.g., greater than). Knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is necessary, but neither mathematical sophistication nor computational speed is needed. The interpreting instructions questions provide the instructions and specific rules for applying them. All the information needed to answer the questions is presented with the questions.
Working Effectively with Others to Solve Job-Related Problems:
This simulation exercise requires candidates to assume the role of a staff member in an Information Technology work group who is working with colleagues during a time of change in policy or procedure, in a particular agency. During the exercise, candidates will be required to deal with obstacles within the working environment, which include peer relations and the demands of handling multiple tasks. Candidates will be required to demonstrate the ability to be flexible, creative and persistent as a team player. They will also need to demonstrate the ability to cooperate, show initiative, and establish positive working relationships with peers and administrators.
User Support and Training:
This simulation exercise requires candidates to assume the role of a staff member in a Help Desk support unit.
Candidates will be presented with a user's problem. During the course of handling the problem, candidates will be required to: demonstrate communication skills, apply troubleshooting practices and tools, determine the appropriate level of training needed by the user, and educate the user on the proper use of computers.
Qualifying test scores may be banked and applied to future examination for titles that require the same test plan.
RETEST POLICY – QUALIFYING TEST: Candidates who fail the Qualifying portion of the examination may apply for a retest. Candidates may be retested six (6) months after the first qualifying test.
WAIVER POLICY – QUALIFYING TEST: If a candidate has previously passed an IT Qualifying Test prepared by the New York State Department of Civil Service and using the same test plan as announced, the qualifying test may be waived. A candidate requesting such a waiver must submit verifiable evidence of passing the qualifying test, including the name of the Civil Service agency that administered the test and the test date.
CANDIDATES WHO RECEIVE A GRADE OF 70 OR HIGHER WILL APPEAR ON THE APPROPRIATE ELIGIBLE LIST. THEIR NAME WILL BE PLACED ACCORDING TO GRADE AND WILL REMAIN ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST FOR TWO (2) YEARS.
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 Book’, ‘Language Translators’, ‘Dictionaries’ and any similar devices are prohibited.” For security reasons, candidates will not be permitted to access the calculator on the computer provided for the test.
*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://ulstercountyny.gov/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.
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 New York State or any other local government jurisdiction, you must make arrangements to take all the examinations at one test site.
If you have applied for both State and Local government examinations, you must make arrangements to take all your examinations at the State examination center by calling (518) 457‑7022 no later than two weeks before the test date.
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.
#46832
ORIGINAL COPY: BLUE
ISSUED: October 13, 2011
