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: 11/24/09 |
Exam #: 02-203 |
Exam Date: CONTINUOUSLY
HELD DURING THE WEEK (Monday thru Friday)
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INTERMEDIATE ACCOUNT CLERK/TYPIST
(SPANISH SPEAKING)
Towns & Villages,
Cities of Peekskill and Rye
and Special Districts
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 the special districts, towns, villages and the cities of Peekskill and Rye.
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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02-200 Intermediate Audit Clerk 02-201 Entry Level
Financial Recordkeeping Clerk |
02-203 Intermediate Account Clerk/Typist (Spanish Speaking) 02-204 Entry Level Financial Recordkeeping Clerk/Typist
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Possession of a high school or equivalency diploma and six months of clerical experience which involved both the keeping of financial records and typing experience.
NOTE: Satisfactory completion of 15 credits in business courses at a recognized college or business school may be substituted for the required financial recordkeeping experience. Candidates must have the required typing experience or must have successfully completed an approved typing course.
*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.
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.
RESIDENCE
There are no residence requirements to participate in the examination, but preference in appointment may be given to eligibles who have been residents in the appointing jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the examination and at effective date of appointment.
DUTIES
Under the direct supervision of a higher level account clerk or an accountant, performs work of average difficulty in connection with a variety of financial records and accounts and does a limited amount of typing work. This work requires limited judgment in the carrying out of prescribed procedures. Incumbents must be fluent in both the Spanish and English languages, providing interpretive and information services. Supervision is not a requirement 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 three parts: a weighted multiple-choice written examination, a Keyboarding/Typing performance test and a qualifying Spanish Language Oral Proficiency 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. Clerical Operations With Letters and Numbers - These questions test your 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. Arithmetic Computation Without Calculators - These questions test your ability to do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Questions may also involve fractions, decimals, averages, and percents. You may NOT use a calculator or any other type of calculating device to answer these questions or any other questions in the written test.
3. Arithmetic Reasoning - These questions test your ability to solve an arithmetic problem presented in sentence or short paragraph form. You must read the problem, understand the situation presented, decide what must be done to solve it, and apply the appropriate arithmetic operation(s) in the appropriate order in order to determine the correct solution. Knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is necessary. Questions may also involve the use of percents, decimals, and fractions.
In accordance with Section 23.2 of the Civil Service Law, candidates may not review their examination papers and may not appeal their examination results for the written and keyboarding performance tests. 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 performance test(s) 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.
SPANISH LANGUAGE ORAL PROFICIENCY TEST: Candidates will be subject to a Spanish Language Oral Proficiency examination as prescribed by New York State Department of Civil Service. The examination will be held at a later weekday date. *This exam will evaluate proficiency of listening and reading comprehension as well as oral abilities. Language proficiency is evaluated in terms of:
LEVEL 1 - LIMITED PROFICIENCY - characterized by unsophisticated but understandable expression: Able to satisfy routine social demands and limited work requirements. Can read with general accuracy news items on non-technical topics and general announcements.
1. GRAMMAR - grammatical accuracy of words and groups of related words, correct use of syntax and sentence structure.
2. VOCABULARY - adequacy of vocabulary (both sufficiency and accuracy of use) for the topics discussed.
3. FLUENCY - general smoothness and evenness of discourse.
4. CONTENT - relevance and completeness of statements and questions, clarity of ideas, and level of communication.
SPANISH LANGUAGE ORAL PROFICIENCY WAIVER POLICY: The Spanish Proficiency Level required for this examination as determined by the Westchester County Department of Human Resources is Level 1. Candidates who have passed a qualifying Spanish Language Oral Proficiency test given by the Westchester County Department of Human Resources or the New York State Department of Civil Service at Level 1 or above may be waived from the required language proficiency test for this examination. Candidates seeking such a waiver must provide original documentation from the testing agency that shall include the following information: Examination/Test date and Spanish Language Oral Proficiency Level. 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.
*SPECIAL NOTE: The Westchester County Department of Human Resources reserves the right to administer the Language Proficiency test either to only candidates who pass the written test or to all who sat for the written test. Those who will be tested for language proficiency will be notified by the Department of Human Resources about the time and place of this test.
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. Use of calculators is PROHIBITED for this exam. 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. 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.
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 and your social security 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.