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: 11/27/24
Effective Date: 11/16/07

JBCL: C2142, 0214,S214

Revised: 9/25/24

Exam #: 02-114

Exam Date:

HELD DURING THE WEEK (Monday thru Friday)

WRITTEN AND LANGUAGE ORAL PROFICIENCY TESTS

 

RECEPTIONIST (SPANISH SPEAKING)

 

Westchester County/Westchester Medical Center*

 

Towns & Villages, Cities of Peekskill and Rye
School Districts & Special 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, or scan the QR code.

 

 

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.

 

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 same title may do so after one (1) year.

 

The results from this written examination are used for appointment to applicable positions in Westchester County service, Westchester Medical Center, school districts, 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:

 

02-101 Weigh Scale Operator
02-104 Admitting Clerk

02-112 Receptionist

02-114 Receptionist (Spanish Speaking)

 

02-120 Registration Clerk

02-122 Registration Clerk (Spanish Speaking)

02-124 Clerk - County Clerk

02-125 Telecommunication Operator - WMC

 

 

 

SALARY

 

Westchester County

$43,700 - $52,220

Westchester Medical

Center

In accordance with negotiated agreement

Westchester Community  College

In accordance with negotiated agreement

Towns & Villages

Cities of Peekskill and Rye

School Districts & Special Districts

 

Varies with Jurisdiction

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

Possession of a high school or general equivalency diploma and one year of general office experience, including, or supplemented by, one year of experience involving contact with the public.

 

SUBSTITUTION:  Satisfactory completion of 30 credits* or one year of post high school education at a college or business school may be substituted for the one year of required experience.

 

NOTE:  (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 have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

 

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 WITHIN 60 DAYS OF FILING APPLICATION.  IF NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 60 DAYS, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED TO TAKE THIS EXAM AND MUST RE-FILE.  IF TRASCRIPT IS ALREADY 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.  A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. Evaluation fees must be paid by the applicant.

 

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 that have been residents in the appointing jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the examination and at the effective date of appointment.

 

DUTIES

 

For Westchester County/Westchester Medical Center positions:

Under supervision of an administrative or clerical employee of higher rank, an incumbent of this class is responsible for receiving the general public, clients or other County employees, answering inquiries in person or over the phone, and referring callers to the proper staff within the office.  These duties require proficiency in both the Spanish and English languages, providing interpretive and information services. 


This position differs from Information Clerk in that there is more substantive contact with the individuals received and the associated non-receptionist duties are of a more responsible and complex nature. Supervision is not a responsibility of this class. An employee of this class, however, may act as lead person for a small group of clerical employees providing back-up coverage.  Does related work as required. 

 

For Towns, Villages, School Districts, Special Districts or Cities of Peekskill and Rye positions:
Under the general supervision of a higher level employee, an incumbent of this position is responsible for greeting visitors or clients in a school or municipal office and for providing routine information, making appointments for clients/visitors with staff members or officials, and/or scheduling clients for delivery of program services or participation in program activities.  Incumbents interact with a significant number of Hispanic visitors or students and must be fluent in both the Spanish and English languages, providing interpretive and information services.  Incumbents may be required to work on weekends or in evening or night hours depending upon the needs of the specific appointing authority.  An employee in this class is assigned miscellaneous routine clerical work and, dependent on assignment, may operate either a single position switchboard or call director.  Supervision is not normally a function of this class, which is distinguished from that of Telephone Operator by the duty of greeting the public and providing same with information.  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 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.     Record Keeping - These questions are designed to test a candidate’s ability to perform common 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.

 

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. 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.ny.gov/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

 

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 Spanish Language Proficiency Test for this 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.

 

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. However, at the written request of a candidate, the accuracy of his/her score will be verified.

 

GENERAL NOTICE TO CANDIDATES FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS

1.     The use of a quiet, hand-held solar or battery powered calculator is RECOMMENDED.  Devices with typewriter keyboards such as computers, spell-checkers, personal digital assistants, address books, language translators, dictionaries, and 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.

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 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 $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 and for Veterans (as defined in Section 50(5)(b) of the New York State Civil Service Law).  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.

 

As soon as a candidate is aware of a conflict prior to the scheduled test date, the candidate should notify the Examinations Unit by e-mail at exam@westchestercountyny.gov, or call at (914) 995-2388. The request should contain a complete explanation of the reason the candidate cannot take the test on the scheduled date and include appropriate supporting documentation. It is essential that the Examinations Unit receive these requests before the date of the written test. Requests received on the date of the written test or thereafter will not be considered, unless they involve unforeseen emergencies. A medical emergency or illness occurring on the date of the examination must be documented by a medical professional seen on the date of the examination.

 

For emergencies, such as illness or death in the family, which occur on the scheduled written test date, the candidate must notify the Examinations Unit no later than close of business the Monday following the test date. If the candidate is unable to contact us, a family or household member, may, on the candidate's behalf, notify the Examinations Unit of the need for an alternate test date.

 

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@westchestercountyny.gov

 

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.

 

Admission cards may not be mailed to candidates until 8-10 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