Open Competitive
WESTCHESTER COUNTY
CIVIL SERVICE CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES
County Service · Westchester Medical Center ·Towns · Villages · School Districts · Special Districts · Cities of Peekskill & Rye
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Applications Continuously Accepted Revised: 5/27/08 |
Exam #: 02-400 |
Exam Date: CONTINUOUSLY
HELD DURING THE WEEK (Monday thru Friday)
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OFFICE ASSISTANT (WORD PROCESSING)
Westchester County/Westchester Medical Center
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.
Successful candidates in this examination will have their names interfiled (placed) on the continuous recruitment eligible list in the order of final scores. The names of candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of one (1) year. Candidates who wish to retest in this title may do so after one (1) year.
The results from this written examination are used for appointment to applicable positions in either Westchester County service or the Westchester Medical Center.
IF INTERESTED, YOU MUST APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING EXAMINATIONS AT THE SAME TIME, AS YOUR PARTICIPATION WILL BE LIMITED TO ONCE EVERY TWELVE MONTHS TO TAKE AN EXAMINATION FOR ANY ONE OR COMBINATION OF THESE TITLES:
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OPEN COMPETITIVE 02-400 Office Assistant (Word Processing) 02-402 Office Assistant (Automated Systems) 02-404 Office Assistant (Word Processing- Spanish Speaking) 02-406 Senior Stenographer 02-412 Office Assistant (Automated Systems- Spanish Speaking) 02-414 Assistant Secretary-County Executive 02-416 Senior Office Assistant (Automated Systems) 02-418 Senior Office Assistant(Automated Systems) (Spanish Speaking) 02-420 Legal Secretary Trainee |
PROMOTIONAL 02-401 Office Assistant (Word Processing) 02-403 Office Assistant (Automated Systems) 02-405 Office Assistant (Word Processing- Spanish Speaking) 02-407 Senior Stenographer 02-413 Office Assistant (Automated Systems- Spanish Speaking) 02-415 Senior Office Assistant (Automated Systems) 02-417 Senior Office Assistant (Automated Systems) (Spanish Speaking)
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SALARY
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Westchester County
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Westchester Medical Center
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Possession of a high school or equivalency diploma and three years of experience where the primary function of the position was performing general office/clerical work, one year of which must have included the use of a typewriter and/or a word processor to produce correspondence, forms, reports, or other documents, and the maintenance of records.
SUBSTITUTION: Satisfactory completion of 30 credits* at a recognized college or university, or its equivalent in course hours from an approved institution or office software manufacturer (i.e. Microsoft), may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to two years of the above general office/clerical experience. Completion of 6 credits* in Word Processing coursework at a recognized college or university may be substituted for the one year of word processing experience. All coursework must be verified by official transcript.
NOTE: Data entry experience may not be substituted for the above required word processing experience.
*SPECIAL NOTE: Education beyond the secondary level must be from an institution recognized or accredited by the Board of Regents of the New York State Education Department as a post-secondary, degree-granting institution.
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.
ALL CANDIDATES QUALIFYING BY POST HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION MUST SUBMIT AN OFFICIAL (RAISED SEAL AND SIGNED BY REGISTRAR) TRANSCRIPT(S) TO THIS OFFICE BEFORE BEING APPROVED AND ADMITTED TO TAKE THIS EXAMINATION, UNLESS ALREADY ON FILE IN OUR OFFICE. IF IT IS ON FILE, PLEASE INDICATE THIS ON YOUR APPLICATION.
CANDIDATE’S OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN 60 DAYS OF FILING APPLICATION. IF NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 60 DAYS, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED TO TAKE THIS EXAM AND MUST RE-FILE.
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.
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.
DUTIES
Under supervision, an incumbent of this class performs a wide variety of tasks providing clerical support and acts as an office assistant for a number of administrative or professional staff. Independent action is exercised when routine procedures or clearly defined policies are involved. This position requires a full range of keyboarding skills in the operation of either a word processor and, in some cases, a standard typewriter. When operating word processing equipment, incumbent maximizes equipment capability in compiling correspondence, records, reports statistical information for various reports, setting up and maintaining automated records and filing systems, and compiling information for management needs. A high degree of initiative and independent action is required to ensure the timely and accurate processing of the workflow. This position differs from Senior Information Systems Clerk in that incumbents in this position are required to have full knowledge of word processing equipment in order to produce a full range of correspondence and reports in addition to providing general office support to professional and/or administrative staff. Supervision may be exercised over a small number of subordinate personnel. Flexibility of hours may be required. 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.
This examination will also be given on a promotional basis on the same day, and the resulting eligible list will have preference in making appointments. If you are interested and qualify, you must file a separate application for the promotional examination at the same time, as your participation in an examination for this title will be limited to once every twelve months.
SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION
This examination will consist of two parts: a weighted multiple-choice examination and a Keyboarding/Typing performance test, which will be held on a separate weekday date. The written test may be in written form or it may be administered on a personal computer (PC). The type of test will be stated on the admission notice.
If administered on a (PC), the test will be held on a weekday. Candidates need no prior knowledge of computers in order to take the test. The test uses a simple point-and-click system that is thoroughly explained through an animated instruction program. Candidates will be given a sample test on which to practice before the actual test begins.
The weighted written test defined below will be used to determine candidate’s rank on the eligible list. For positions requiring performance tests, there will also be relevant qualifying performance test(s) designed to evaluate candidate’s skill in specific performance areas. To be placed on the eligible list, candidates must pass the weighted written test and the relevant performance test(s).
WRITTEN TEST is designed to test for knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:
1. Spelling - These questions test for the ability to spell words that are used in written business communications.
2. Grammar, Usage, Punctuation - The grammar and usage questions test for the ability to apply the basic rules of grammar and usage. The punctuation questions test for a knowledge of the correct placement of punctuation marks in sentences.
3. Keyboarding Practices - These questions test for a knowledge of preferred practices in such areas as letter format, capitalization, hyphenation, plurals, possessives, word division, word and figure style for numbers, and common proofreading marks. In addition, you will be given a passage to proofread and asked questions about how to correct the errors in the passage.
4. Office Record Keeping - These questions evaluate 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. Office Practices - These questions test for a knowledge of generally agreed-upon practices governing the handling of situations which stenographers, typists, and secretaries encounter in their work, as well as a knowledge of efficient and effective methods used to accomplish office tasks. The questions will cover such topics as planning work flow; setting priorities; dealing effectively with staff, visitors, and callers; filing and retrieving information; safeguarding confidentiality; using office equipment; and making procedural decisions and recommendations which contribute to a well-managed office.
In accordance with Section 23.2 of Civil Service Law, candidates may not review their examination papers and may not appeal their examination results. However, at the written request of a candidate, the accuracy of his/her score will be verified.
The New York State Department of Civil Service has published a Study Guide intended for candidate preparation for this particular examination. This Study Guide contains important test-related information as well as sample test questions similar to the questions that will be used in the written test.
The New York State Department of Civil Service is making a copy of this Study Guide and other related information available on its Website at http://www.cs.state.ny.us/testing/localtestguides.cfm. (Remember to scroll down the page) In addition, a copy of this Study Guide can also be obtained from the Westchester County Department of Human Resources, Suite 100, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, New York 10601.
KEYBOARDING/TYPING PERFORMANCE TEST: Candidates will be required to pass a typing test (35 words per minute) to be held on a weekday date. Candidates will be given two opportunities on the same day to pass the required typing test.
Candidates must pass both the written test and the keyboarding/typing performance test to be considered for appointment. Since the performance test is qualifying (pass/fail), if you pass the performance test, your final score for the examination will be the score that you achieve on the written test.
The performance test is a test of keying speed and accuracy. It utilizes a standard keyboard and is given on computers (PCs). The computer program requires no prior knowledge of software.
The test is five minutes long and is preceded by a three-minute practice session. Candidates enter (“key” or “type”) as much of the passage as they can during the time available.
In order to pass the test, candidates must enter the text at a rate of at least 35 words per minute, with at least 96% accuracy. If a candidate enters the text at 35 words per minute, the maximum allowable number of errors is eight (Note: A word is defined as five characters. The rating formula divides the total number of characters entered by five to determine the number of words entered).
KEYBOARDING/TYPING TEST WAIVER POLICY: Candidates who have passed a qualifying keyboarding/typing performance test, given 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 performance test.
In addition, the keyboarding/typing performance test MAY be waived for candidates who have passed a typing test of a minimum of 5 minutes duration and at least 35 words per minute (96% accuracy). The performance test must have been administered by a civil service agency. Candidates seeking such a waiver must provide original documentation from the testing agency on its official letterhead, which shall include the following information: examination/testing date, qualifying speed, duration of test, and error rate. 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 CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS
1. Unless otherwise notified, 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, or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials to the examination location.
2. ELIGIBLE LISTS - Successful candidates in this examination will have their names interfiled (placed) on the continuous recruitment eligible list in the order of final scores, regardless of the date on which they filed for or took the examination. The names of candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of one (1) year, unless permanently appointed.
3. RETESTS - Candidates are barred from taking this examination series for twelve months from the last date on which they participated.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Veterans and Veterans with Disabilities, 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 Veteran with a disability, 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.
8. In conformance with section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty are 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 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). 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 TO THIS OFFICE.
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 application forms in person from the:
WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF
HUMAN RESOURCES
SUITE 100, MICHAELIAN OFFICE BUILDING
148 MARTINE AVENUE
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK 10601
NOTE: RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION - If special arrangements for testing are required, please indicate this on your application.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES - 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. 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.