Open Competitive Examination Notice
SENIOR CLERK—Exam #64607
LAST DATE TO FILE: August 11, 2010 EXAM DATE: September 25, 2010
SALARY: $14.21/hr (County Rate); rates vary by municipality
HOW TO APPLY: Must complete Civil Service application and submit to Schuyler Co. Civil Service, 105 Ninth St., Unit 21, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
EXAM FEE: $15.00 non-refundable application fee must accompany application, payable by cash, money order, or check made payable to the Schuyler County Treasurer. Please write the name and number of the examination on the check. Details concerning waiver of application fee are found in the “General Instructions.”
VACANCY: This examination is being held to establish an eligible list and will be used to fill any appropriate full-time and/or part-time vacancies as they occur.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Candidates must have been legal residents of Schuyler or a contiguous (Chemung, Seneca, Steuben, Tompkins and Yates) county for at least one month immediately preceding the date of the written examination. Preference in appointment may be given to a resident of the jurisdiction for which there is a vacancy.
JOB DESCRIPTION: This position involves responsibility for the independent performance of standard clerical tasks and the use of computer software to enter and retrieve information. Specific duties vary with the needs of the department or agency where the position exists. Procedures are usually fixed but detailed instructions are given for new or difficult assignments. The work is performed under general supervision and an incumbent may train lower level clerical workers. The work of this class differs from that of Clerk by the complexity of work assignments and the independence of action. Supervision may be exercised over the work of clerical employees. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
Maintains alphabetic, numeric and/or chronological files of correspondence, documents, records, and materials by coding and filing new material, searching for requested material, and periodically purging obsolete material;
Reviews documents for accuracy, completeness, processes, and conformity with established procedures and makes appropriate determinations;
Monitors agency record keeping system for proper maintenance (both manual and computerized);
Contacts by telephone and correspondence individuals and/or agencies to obtain or update information as necessary;
Answers and takes messages or provides callers with general information;
Uses data entry terminal or personal computer to enter and retrieve data from computer files;
Processes claims, verifies accuracy of bills, and collects fees.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Good knowledge of office terminology, procedures, and equipment;
Good knowledge of the principles and practices of computerized records maintenance;
Good knowledge of the use of English;
Good knowledge of modern methods used in record keeping;
Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software including word processing, spreadsheet and databases;
Ability to organize and maintain accurate records and files;
Ability to analyze and organize data and prepare records and reports;
Ability to understand and interpret moderately complicated oral instructions and/or written directions;
Ability to develop effective working relationships and deal diplomatically with the public;
Ability to perform close, detail work involving considerable visual effort and strain;
Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(A) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and two years clerical experience; or
(B) Three years of clerical experience.
NOTE: Successful completion of coursework in office practices, business administration, or a closely related field at a regionally accredited college or university, or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees, may be substituted for the required experience with three semester credit hours being equivalent to three months of experience.
SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:
1. Clerical operations with letters and numbers
These questions test for skills and abilities in clerical operations involving alphabetizing, comparing, checking and counting. The questions require you to follow the specific directions given for each question which may involve alphabetizing, comparing, checking and counting given groups of letters and/or numbers.
2. Coding/decoding information
These questions test for the ability to use written directions to code and decode information accurately. You will be asked to apply sets of coding rules to code information and to interpret coded information. Complete directions will be provided; no previous knowledge of or training in any coding system is required.
3. Name and number checking
These questions test for the ability to distinguish between sets of words, letters, and/or numbers that are almost exactly alike. Material is usually presented in two or three columns, and you will have to determine how the entry in the first column compares with the entry in the second column and possibly the third. You will be instructed to mark your answers according to a designated code provided in the directions.
4. Office record keeping
These questions test your ability to perform common office record keeping tasks. The test consists of two or more "sets" of questions, each set concerning a different problem. Typical record keeping problems might involve the organization or collation of data from several sources; scheduling; maintaining a record system using running balances; or completion of a table summarizing data using totals, subtotals, averages and percents.
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 be 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.
Use of calculators is ALLOWED
Applications and announcements are available at www.schuylercounty.us or the Schuyler County Civil Service Office 105 Ninth St., Unit 21, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 (607) 535-8190
Schuyler County…An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Issue Date: July 9, 2010
SCHUYLER COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE—GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR EXAMINATIONS
Application: An original application must be filed for each separate examination. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. or be postmarked before midnight on the “Last Filing Date” to be considered for this examination. We do not make formal acknowledgement of the receipt of an application or take responsibility for non-delivery or postal delay. Submission of a resume does not relieve you of the responsibility for completing all sections of the application. Answer every question; incomplete applications will be disapproved. Be sure to read the detailed announcement to determine whether or not you meet the announced requirements. No fee refund will be made to applicants who are disqualified or fail to appear for the examination. Notify this office if your address changes after applying. No attempt will be made to locate candidates who have moved. Download application and forms at web site www.schuylercounty.us.
Education: A copy of your diploma should be submitted if you qualify by possession of a degree. Transcripts should be submitted whenever the qualifications require a specific college major or specified number of credits.
Fee and Fee Waiver: Application fee of $15 ($25 for Uniformed Protective Services exams) must be submitted with application. Cash, money order or check made payable to Schuyler County Treasurer. Write exam name and number on check. The examination fee may be waived for persons claiming to be “unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household.” Use Schuyler County Waiver form.
Application Review: Disqualified candidates will receive a disapproval letter and will have the opportunity to submit facts in opposition to disqualification. Approved candidates will receive an admission letter a week before the date of the exam telling when and where to appear for the examination. If you do not receive your letter within five days of the examination, call the Civil Service office at 607-535-8190. Falsification or material misstatements of any part of the application may result in disqualifica-tion from the exam or from permanent competitive appointment. Statements on the application may be verified after the examination is held. At that time those candidates not meeting the requirements will be disqualified.
Residency: Candidates must be legal residents of Schuyler County of one of the contiguous counties (Yates, Seneca, Steuben, Chemung, or Tompkins) for at least one month immediately preceding the examination date. For some examinations, residency may be waived. Under Section 23-4a of Civil Service Law, a municipality may request a certification of eligible candidates who have been residents of that municipality for at least one month prior to certification.
Multiple Examinations: Qualified candidates may take a combination of examinations being given on the same date. The time limit for any combination or series of examinations cannot exceed eight (8) hours.
Cross-filing: If you’re applying for civil service examinations in multiple jurisdictions when examinations are scheduled on the same date, you must make arrangements to take all the examinations at one test site. You must apply in each jurisdiction and notify each that you are cross-filing. If you have applied for both state and local examinations, you must take all your examinations at the state center. To make arrangements, call (518) 457-7022 no later than two weeks before the test date.
Calculators: Unless otherwise notified, candidates are permitted to use a quiet hand-held, solar or battery powered calculator. Devices with typewriter keyboards, spell checkers, personal digital assistants, address books, language translators, dictionaries, or any similar devices are prohibited. No books or other reference materials are allowed.
Eligible Lists: Unless otherwise noted, the final rank order of the eligible list established as a result of this exam will be determined on the basis of the scores received on the written test, plus veterans and seniority credits where appropriate. The resulting eligible list for this examination will not be less than one year but no more than four years. Appointment from an eligible list must be made from the top three candidates willing to accept the appointment.
Rating: This examination is announced and will be rated in accordance with Section 23-2 of the Civil Service Law. The provi-sions of the New York State Civil Service Rules and Regulations dealing with the rating of exams will apply to this examination.
Veterans/Military: Veterans or disabled veterans who wish to claim additional credit must submit a copy of their DD-214 and supporting paperwork before the eligible list is established. The requirements set by NYS for these credits must be met. Military Service members on active duty on the exam date may request a military make-up examination.
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. You must inform this office when you submit your application and must also submit documentation before the eligible list is established.
Religious Observers: Most tests are held on Saturdays. If the test date conflicts with a religious observance or practice, check the box on the application. Arrangements will be made for an alternate test date, usually the following Monday.
Disabled Persons: If special accommodations for testing are required, please indicate in writing the disability and desired conditions necessary to accommodate your disability by the last filing date of the exam.
School District Positions: Per Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, and by Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, to be employed in a position designated by a school district as involving direct contact with students, a clearance for employment from that state education department is required.
Background Investigation: Candidates may be required to pass a pre-employment drug test and/or undergo a State and national criminal history background investigation, including a fingerprint check, to determine suitability for appointment.
NYS Dept. of Civil Service Test Guides (for certain exams), and booklet How to Take a Written Test, are available at http://www.cs.state.ny.us/testing/localtestguides.cfm.
This examination may be rescheduled if there is a weather emergency. Listen to radio station WFLR for information. |
