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: 01/21/20

Date Posted: 12/23/19
JBCL:
S880

 

Exam #: 65-536

Exam Date: 03/28/20

WRITTEN AND KEYBOARDING/TYPING PERFORMANCE TESTS

 

SECRETARY TO SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

 

School Districts

 

A NON-REFUNDABLE $40.00 APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH SEPARATELY NUMBERED EXAMINATION FOR WHICH YOU APPLY.  SEE APPLICATION FILING FEE STATEMENT ON LAST SECTION OF ANNOUNCEMENT.

 

 

Westchester County is only accepting applications submitted on-line for our civil service examinations.  Paper Applications WILL NOT be accepted.

TO APPLY ON-LINE VISIT: WWW.WESTCHESTERGOV.COM/HR

 

 

Candidates may use computers available at the Westchester County One-Stop Employment Center, located at 120 Bloomingdale Road in White Plains, or at local libraries in Westchester County to complete the on-line application. The NON-REFUNDABLE application processing fee MUST be paid on-line using a credit card. Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Pre-paid cards are accepted. Please call (914) 995-2388, if you have any questions.

 

SALARY

 

Varies with School District

 

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

 

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and either (a) five (5) years of secretarial experience in support of higher level administrator(s), or a department or unit head, three (3) years of which must have involved the use of computer applications to maintain records and produce correspondence; or (b) graduation from a post high school secretarial or business school with a degree or certificate* in secretarial sciences, office technology or closely related field and three (3) years of the specialized experience using computer applications as described in (a).


SUBSTITUTION:  Satisfactory completion of 30 college credits* may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the secretarial experience described above.  Candidates must have at least one (1) year of the specialized experience using computer applications described in (a).

 

DEFINITION:  A certificate program is defined as the successful completion of a minimum of 6-8 courses of study and results in the issuance of a certificate. 

 

NOTES: (1) 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. (2) Verified and documented volunteer (unpaid) experience will only be credited when specifically allowed by the job description or examination announcement.

 

*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.

 

ALL CANDIDATES QUALIFYING BY POST HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION MUST SUBMIT AN OFFICIAL (RAISED SEAL AND SIGNED BY REGISTRAR) TRANSCRIPT(S) TO THIS OFFICE BY MAY 28, 2020, UNLESS ALREADY ON FILE IN OUR OFFICE.  IF IT IS ON FILE, PLEASE INDICATE THIS ON YOUR APPLICATION.  FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE REQUIRED OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A SCORE FOR THIS EXAMINATION.

 

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.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS:  In accordance with the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) legislation, Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, and by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, candidates for appointment in school districts must obtain clearance for employment from the State Education Department prior to employment based upon a fingerprint and criminal history background check.

 

DUTIES

 

Under general supervision, an incumbent of this position performs executive secretarial services for an elementary, middle school, junior high or high school principal, relieving the principal of administrative details. This position differs from the "Secretary to School Principal (Stenographer)" in that the stenographic skill is not required. The position requires a full range of skills in the operation of a computer to maximize equipment capability in compiling and producing correspondence, records, reports, files, etc. The position also requires the frequent use of independent judgement in the application of prescribed methods and procedures where policies have already been established. There is a considerable amount of contact with the public and/or fellow employees. Supervision may be exercised over the work of lower level clerical workers. 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 qualify for the promotional examination, you must file a separate application for each examination.


SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION

 

This examination will consist of two parts:

 

(1). A weighted multiple-choice written examination; AND

 

(2). A Keyboarding/Typing performance test, which will be held on a separate weekday date.

 

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

 

  1. 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. You will be presented with sets of four sentences from each of which you must choose the sentence that contains a grammatical, usage, or punctuation error.

 

  1. 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, there will be a passage to proofread followed by questions on how to correct the errors in the passage.

 

  1. Office practices - These questions test for a knowledge of generally agreed-upon practices governing the handling of situations which typists, stenographers, secretaries, and office assistants encounter in their work, as well as a knowledge of efficient and effective methods used to accomplish office tasks. The questions 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.

 

  1. Spelling - These questions test for the ability to spell words that are used in written business communications.

 

Test guide:  The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However, candidates may find information in the publication 'General Guide to Written Tests' helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at:https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.

 

•  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.

 

The Westchester County Department of Human Resources reserves the option of testing either the written or the performance test first.  This option will be selected in conjunction with the format of the written portion of the examination. All performance tests are administered during the Monday through Friday workweek.

 

GENERAL NOTICE TO CANDIDATES FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

 

1.     Unless otherwise notified, candidates are ALLOWED 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.   If you are filing for examinations offered by other agencies (New York State, another County, Cities of Yonkers, New Rochelle, White Plains, etc.) that are being given on the same date as this examination, you must make arrangements to take all examinations at one test site. You are also required to complete and return the Cross Filer Form, available at Westchester County Department of Human Resources, 148 Martine Avenue, Suite 100, White Plains, NY 10601 or download the form at www.westchestergov.com/hr, to this office no less than two (2) weeks prior to the examination date.  Failure to provide such information on time 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. Furthermore, if you have applied for both New York State and Westchester County examinations, you must take all examinations at the state examination center. Candidates must take admission notices for all participating examinations on that test date to the state examination center and include all examination numbers on your test materials. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL 914-995-2117. DO NOT CONTACT NEW YORK STATE.

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.     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 SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR DD214 SEPARATION PAPERS. If claiming credit as a Veteran with a disability, submit 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 submit 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. Veterans who previously used non-disabled veteran credits for appointment to a position in New York State or local government AND, after his/her appointment, was subsequently classified by the Veterans Administration as a disabled veteran, are now eligible for an award of additional veteran credits. 


If you are claiming additional disabled veteran credits as a result of the Amendment to Section Six of Article Five of the New York State Constitution effective January 1, 2014, Form 102 Authorization for Disability Record and Form 102S Authorization for Verification of Non-Disabled Veterans Credits Use must be submitted.  Completed forms must be received by the Westchester County Department of Human Resources before an eligible list is established in order to be granted credits on that eligible list.

8.     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 $40.00 APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH SEPARATELY NUMBERED EXAMINATION FOR WHICH YOU APPLY.  THE NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE MUST BE PAID ONLINE USING A CREDIT CARD.

 

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.

 

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 Social 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.  The fee may also be waived for those who are serving active military duty.  Documentation proving eligibility must be submitted with each application.  All claims for application fee waivers are subject to verification.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.

 

ALTERNATE TEST DAY REQUESTS: The Department of Human Resources periodically receives requests to reschedule candidates for civil service examinations under exceptional circumstances because individuals are unable to participate in the exams on their scheduled dates.

 

Upon presentation of appropriate documentation, the Department of Human Resources may grant an alternate test date. The granting of alternate test date is at the discretion of the Department of Human Resources. Examples such as the following may be considered as reasons for granting an alternate test date:

 

 

Procedure:

 

Candidates who have met the criteria may be eligible for one alternate test date. A written request with appropriate documentation justifying the request must be submitted to the Examination Administration Unit.  With no exception, alternate test date requests must include documentation verifying the exceptional circumstance which precludes the candidate from appearing.  After consideration, the Examination Administration Unit will notify the candidate as to whether or not the request is granted.


APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES:  If special arrangements for testing are required, please indicate this on your application.

 

Westchester County Department of Human Resources

Recruitment and Selection Unit
148 Martine Avenue, Suite 100
White Plains, New York 10601

 

OR

 

FAX: (914) 995-2009

 

OR

 

EMAIL: exam@westchestergov.com

 

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.

 

We may contact you with exam related correspondence (i.e. Admission Notice, Notice of Exam Results, Request for Additional Information and Transcripts, Disqualification Notices etc.) through e-mail. Candidates are responsible for maintaining valid e-mail and responding to e-mail notifications regarding Westchester County Civil Service examinations.

 

We may contact you with exam related correspondence (i.e. Admission Notice, Notice of Exam Results, Request for Additional Information and Transcripts, Disqualification Notices etc.) through e-mail. Candidates are responsible for maintaining valid e-mail and responding to e-mail notifications regarding Westchester County Civil Service examinations.

 

Admission cards may not be mailed to candidates until ten days prior to the examination date.

 

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.

 

www.westchestergov.com/hr