Westchester County DES- Fire Training Assistant Exam

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Open Competitive

WESTCHESTER COUNTY

CIVIL SERVICE CAREER

OPPORTUNITIES

County Service · Westchester Medical Center ·Towns · Villages · School Districts

· Special Districts · Cities of Peekskill & Rye

Last Filing Date: 9/12/07

Date Posted: 8/16/07

JBCL: C2196

Exam #: 60-954

Exam Date: 10/27/07

WRITTEN AND DATABASE PERFORMANCE TESTS

FIRE TRAINING ASSISTANT

Westchester County

A NON-REFUNDABLE $25.00 APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH SEPARATELY NUMBERED EXAMINATION FOR WHICH YOU APPLY. SEE APPLICATION FILING FEE STATEMENT ON LAST SECTION OF ANNOUNCEMENT.

SALARY

$36,620 - Starting Salary

$45,095 - Maximum reached in four additional steps

RESIDENCE

There are no residence requirements to participate in the examination, but preference in appointment may be given to eligibles that have been residents in the appointing jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the examination and at the effective date of appointment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent and three years experience as a firefighter.

SUBSTITUTION: Verifiable voluntary experience may be substituted on a year for year basis for the above stated experience and must be equivalent to a 35 hour a week, full-time position.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Must possess a certificate in "Essentials of Firefighting, Ladder Company Operations and Pump Operator" issued by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control at time of appointment.

Note: The number of years of experience required in the minimum qualifications is based upon the presumption of full-time employment. Part-time experience will be prorated based on a 35 hour workweek.

ONLY EXPERIENCE GAINED AFTER ATTAINING THE MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL INDICATED IN THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING EXPERIENCE.

DUTIES

Under general supervision, the incumbent of this position assists the Training Technician (Fire Services) and Fire Instructors in the administration of training sessions required for firefighters, training courses for corporate fire brigades and other groups from jurisdictions throughout Westchester. This position also assists in the over-all operation of the Training Center Supervision is not a responsibility of this position. Does related work as required.

VACANCIES

The eligible list established as a result of this examination will be utilized, where appropriate, for filling any current or future vacancies in all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Westchester County Department of Human Resources.

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION

This examination will consist of two parts: a weighted multiple-choice written examination and a Database performance test, which will be held on a separate weekday date.

WRITTEN TEST is designed to test for knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:

1. Firefighting Practices and Equipment - These questions test for a knowledge of firefighting methods, principles, practices, and equipment. The questions cover such areas as the following: aspects of the Incident Management System; building materials and construction types; fire cause and origin; building inspections; extinguishing agents and application procedures; fire behavior characteristics; fire suppression; hand and power tools; hazardous materials; weapons of mass destruction; hoses, nozzles, and water streams; ladders and elevating platforms; self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); fire scene size-up; and ventilation.

2. 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.

3. Principles and Practices of Staff Development and Training - These questions test for the knowledge and abilities used to develop and deliver training. They address topics such as the assessment of training needs, instructional design, training methods and techniques, training aids and materials, motivation, learning theory, classroom management, and the evaluation of learning outcomes.

4. 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.

DATABASE PERFORMANCE TEST - A performance test will also be held on a later WEEKDAY DATE, to be announced. The test will be a performance test that will require you to use a conventional personal computer (PC) with a standard keyboard to perform various clerical tasks using pre-established databases. The databases will be of a generic variety; you do not need any present knowledge of these databases in order to do well on the test. When you begin the testing program you will receive graphic on-screen instructions that tell you how to use the databases and how to take the test.

The test will consist of three parts. In Part One, you will be required to add, delete and update various records in a database. In Part Two, you will be required to look up records in a database and write down selected information from the records onto printed forms. In Part Three, the computer will present questions about the information that you wrote down in Part Two. You will enter your answers directly into the PC. Your rating (pass/fail) on this test will be based on the amount of data entered and on the accuracy of those entries.

You must pass both the written and performance tests to be eligible for appointment. Your score on the eligible list will be based on your score on the written test.

DATABASE MANIPULATION (DB CLERK) PERFORMANCE TEST WAIVER POLICY: Candidates who have taken and passed a qualifying database performance test under the auspices of the Westchester County Department of Human Resources or the New York State Department of Civil Service MAY be waived from the required performance test for this examination. Waivers for this database-clerical test will not be granted for typing tests, production data entry, or emergency-data entry tests that you may have passed. Requests for waiver, and all supporting documentation, must be submitted with your application, and will not be accepted after you have participated in the written examination.

The Westchester County Department of Human Resources reserves final approval of the acceptability of the submitted waiver.

GENERAL NOTICE TO CANDIDATES FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

1. Unless otherwise notified, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand-held, and solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards, ‘Spell Checkers,’ ‘Personal Digital Assistants,’ ‘Address Books,’ ‘Language Translators,’ ‘Dictionaries,’ or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials to the examination location.

2. If you are filing for any other jurisdiction’s examination(s) (i.e. New York State, New York City, another County, Yonkers, New Rochelle, White Plains, Mt. Vernon), that are being given on the same date as this examination, you are required to notify this office in writing no less than two (2) weeks prior to the examination date. Failure to provide such information may result in disqualification from one or more examinations in this series. There is NO reciprocity with New York City, and you must make a choice between the two jurisdictions.

3. Candidates who fail to receive either their admission notice or final disqualification notice by the Thursday prior to the examination are responsible for calling the Department of Human Resources (995-2117), for instructions.

4. ELIGIBLE LISTS - Lists may be established for a maximum of four years. The resulting eligible list will be used to fill appropriate vacancies as they occur in the agencies listed on the face of this announcement.

5. FOR COUNTY EMPLOYMENT - In accordance with Westchester County’s comprehensive Drug-Free Workplace Policy and Procedures, and commitment to maintain a safe, alcohol and drug- free work environment, you may be required to submit to a urinalysis and/or blood test.

6. FOR COUNTY EMPLOYMENT – If offered employment, you will be subject to the Westchester County Fingerprinting Policy under which your appointment may be conditioned on the results of a fingerprinting investigation.

7. This examination will be prepared and rated in accordance with Section 23(2) of the Civil Service Law. The provisions of the New York State Civil Service Law, rules and regulations dealing with the preparation and rating of examinations will apply to this examination.

8. Disabled and non-disabled veterans, who meet the criteria set forth in the Application for Examination, may be eligible for additional credits added to their earned scores if successful in examination. CREDITS MUST BE CLAIMED AT THE TIME OF FILING YOUR APPLICATION FOR EXAMINATION AND YOU MUST ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR DD214 SEPARATION PAPERS. If claiming credit as a Disabled Veteran, attach form 102. If these documents are not submitted within sixty days of filing your application, your claim will be denied. "Active duty members of the Armed Forces have the right to request veteran credits prior to discharge. If you are currently on active duty you should check the appropriate box on the application and attach a letter requesting the use of credits with documentation verifying your active duty status: i.e. copy of military ID, military orders, official documents indicating current service, etc." See our website section "Special Rights for Veterans" for details regarding the use of these credits."

9. 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 on 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.

HOW TO APPLY

APPLICATION FILING FEE

A $25.00 APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH SEPARATELY NUMBERED EXAMINATION FOR WHICH YOU APPLY. THE FEE MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR APPLICATION (S) AND MUST BE RECEIVED IN OUR OFFICE AT THE ADDRESS NOTED BELOW BY THE LAST FILING DATE.

SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES WITH YOUR APPLICATION. WRITE THE EXAMINATION NUMBER (S) AND THE APPLICANT’S NAME ON THE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. CASH WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

APPLICATION FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE. IF YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED FROM OR FAIL TO APPEAR FOR THE EXAMINATION, YOUR FEE IS NOT REFUNDED. THEREFORE, WE URGE YOU TO COMPARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS CAREFULLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION AND FILE ONLY FOR THOSE EXAMINATIONS FOR WHICH YOU ARE CLEARLY QUALIFIED.

IF YOUR APPLICATION IS RECEIVED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED FEE, IT WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU. SHOULD YOU WISH TO REFILE WITH THE REQUIRED FEE, YOUR APPLICATION AND THE APPROPRIATE FEES MUST BE RETURNED PRIOR TO, OR POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN, THE LAST FILING DATE. (METERED MAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE LAST FILING DATE.)

THE APPLICATION FILING FEE IS SUBJECT TO BEING INCREASED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

APPLICATION FEE WAIVER: A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household. In addition, a waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are determined eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, or Public Assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) or are certified Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act eligible through a State or local social service agency. Documentation proving eligibility must be submitted with each application. All claims for application fee waivers are subject to verification.

You may obtain blank application forms in person and submit completed exam application forms to the:

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

SUITE 100, MICHAELIAN OFFICE BUILDING

148 MARTINE AVENUE

WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK 10601

Completed applications MUST be postmarked NO LATER THAN THE LAST FILING DATE and must have the required application fee attached; or, if not mailed, delivered to the above address together with the required application fee attached NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. on the last filing date.

NOTE: RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION - Most written tests are held on Saturdays. If you cannot take the test on the announced test date due to a conflict with a religious observance or practice, check the appropriate box under “Testing Accommodation” on your application. We will make arrangements for you to take the test on a different date.

DISABLED APPLICANTS - If special arrangements for testing are required, please indicate this on your application.

Candidates are responsible for reporting in writing, all changes in name and/or address directly to the “Recruitment and Selection Unit” at the above address. Please include examination number on all correspondence.

Candidates, who receive disqualification notices and wish to appeal such disqualification, must do so in writing.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WOMEN AND MINORITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. It is the policy of Westchester County to provide for and promote the equal opportunity of employment, compensation and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.

www.westchestergov.com/hr