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: 4/22/24
|
Exam #: 88-376 |
Exam Date: 6/15/24 |
PROBATION OFFICER 1 TRAINEE
(Formerly known as Probation Officer Trainee)
Westchester County
A NON-REFUNDABLE $100.00 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
$64,990 - $81,035
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 Bachelor's Degree*, which must have included or been supplemented by 30 credits* in the social or behavioral sciences**.
**DEFINITION: Social or behavioral sciences includes the following areas: anthropology, counseling, criminal justice, economics, geography, gerontology, history, political science, psychology, social case work and sociology.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
(1) AGE: Must be 21 at time of appointment.
(2) CITIZENSHIP: Candidates must be a citizen of the United States at time of appointment.
(3) RESIDENCY: New York State residency must be maintained for the duration of service as a Probation Officer 1 Trainee and Probation Officer 1.
(4) LICENSE: Candidates must possess a valid New York State Driver's License at time of appointment.
(5) SUBSTANCE USE: All candidates must be in compliance with the Westchester County Drug-Free Workplace Policy.
(6) FIREARM: Carrying a firearm in the execution of duties will be required.
(7) PHYSICAL FITNESS SCREENING, MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST: In addition to the written examination, an assessment of an individual’s physical and mental fitness will be made.
a.Candidates who achieve a passing score on the written test will be required to pass a qualifying physical agility test. Medical clearance will be required prior to taking the agility test. Full details about the test protocols and expectations as well as video demonstrations of test components can be found on https://probation.westchestergov.com/
b.Candidates offered the position of Probation Officer Trainee 1 will be required to pass a psychological screening examination prior to appointment.
Westchester County has an appeals process for candidates who receive a disqualification notice for not meeting the psychological requirements. An appeal form will be sent to the disqualified candidate with instructions to send the appeal documents to Westchester County’s Human Resources within 10 calendar days of the notice date. If the materials are not received by the deadline, the candidate forfeits the appeal.
NOTES: (1) Unless otherwise noted, only experience gained after attaining the minimum education level indicated in the minimum qualifications will be considered in evaluating experience. (2) 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. (3) 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.
ALL CANDIDATES QUALIFYING BY POST HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION MUST SUBMIT AN OFFICIAL (RAISED SEAL AND SIGNED BY REGISTRAR) TRANSCRIPT(S) TO THIS OFFICE BY AUGUST 15, 2024, 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. 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.
DUTIES
Under supervision, an incumbent of this class performs various investigatory duties relating to the services provided by the Department of Probation and supervises people on probation. This is considered the training level of the Probation Officer series. The Probation Officer 1 Trainee is distinguished from the full performance Probation Officer 1 classification by experience and training. Trainee appointments are for a period of two years, during which time trainees must participate in mandatory departmental and state regulatory training programs. Trainees may advance to the Probation Officer 1 level without further examination pending certification in all of the training programs and supervisory recommendation for advancement. An incumbent of this position is considered a Peace Officer and, as such, must qualify with a department issued weapon and is required to carry a firearm. 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
• WRITTEN TEST - designed to test for knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:
1. Advising and interacting with others - These questions test for the ability to interact with other people in order to gather and present information and to provide assistance and advice in a courteous and professional manner.
2. Preparing written material - These questions test for the ability to write the kinds of reports and correspondence required in criminal justice settings such as probation and parole. Some questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately. Others test for the ability to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly.
3. Evaluating conclusions in light of known facts - These questions will consist of a set of facts and a conclusion. You must decide if the conclusion is proved by the facts, disproved by the facts or if the facts are not sufficient to prove or disprove the conclusion. The questions will not be specific to a particular field.
4. Applying written information - These questions evaluate a candidate's ability to read, interpret and apply rules, regulations, directives, written narratives and other related material. You will be required to read a set of information and to appropriately apply the information to situations in various settings. All information needed to answer the questions is contained in the rules, regulations, etc. which are cited.
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.
PHYSICAL FITNESS SCREENING TEST:
Test Components/Stations:
Candidates will go from Station to station in the predetermined order. Each station is pass/fail. Candidates must pass each station in order to proceed to the next station. Once a station is started, it must be completed according to protocol.
1. Eye-Hand Coordination test
MMDT Dexterity (2 minutes and 30 seconds for 1 trial)
The object of this test is to see how fast you can pick up the discs, first with the left hand, starting at the top right corner of the board. When moving to the left, pick up the disc with the left hand. You will then turn the disc over and put it back in the same hole with the right hand. Repeat with each disc until the top row is completed. For the second row, pick up the disc with the right hand, turn it over and place the disc in the same hole using the left hand. You will complete all 4 rows and will need to lead with a different hand each time you start a new row.when moving to the right, you will pick up the disc with the right hand. When moving to the left, you will pick up the disc with the left hand. Once all four rows are completed, return to the top row and repeat the entire process until all of the discs facing up are black. If a disc falls to the ground, do not stop to pick it up.
2. Mobility test
Squat and twist (1 minute and 5 seconds)
Place hands on hips and position feet comfortably for a squat. Squat by bending the knees so that your buttocks touch the edge of the chair. Repeat 20 times. The test administrator will count after you complete each correct repetition. Upon completion of squats, place hands on hips and position feet comfortably on the tape marks on the floor. Rotate at the waist to the right 10 times so that the left elbow is over the diagonal line on the floor then rotate to the left 10 times so that the right elbow is over the diagonal line on the floor. Do not move your feet. The administrator will count after you complete each correct repetition.
3. Flexibility test
Sit n Reach Trunk Flexibility box (3 practice, 1 scored hold at 6 inches for 2 seconds)
You will take off your shoes, sit on the raised mat with your legs straight out in front of you with the back of the legs touching the mat, and place your feet up against the box. You will then reach forward with one hand over the other as far as you can go. You will have three practice reaches, and the fourth reach will be held for 2 seconds and recorded. Do not bounce. Reach with a smooth forward motion. You must reach at least 6 inches and hold for 2 seconds to pass this test
4. Strength and Endurance tests
a) Sit-ups (16 in 1 minute)
Lie on the mat with your back and feet flat on the mat. Place your feet 12 inches from your bottom with your knees bent and your feet separated by no more than 12 inches. You will complete these sit-ups with the test administrator holding both feet flat on the mat. Cross your arms over your chest, placing each hand on the opposite shoulder. Don’t move them from this position at any time or that rep will be disqualified. Keeping your back straight, use your abdominal muscles to lift your body and raise your torso to a vertical position. Do not raise your buttocks off the mat. To raise your body and make sure you touch your elbows to your knees each repetition. Lower your back until your shoulder blades touch the mat. Use a steady motion. Do not let yourself bounce back up, repeat and use the exact same motion to complete 16 sit-ups.
b) Push-ups (4 in 1 minute)
You will lay on the mat on your stomach and place your hands a little more than shoulder width apart. To begin, you will straighten your arms and push up to the starting position while keeping your back straight and while keeping your toes and hands on the mat lower your body to the mat to allow your arms to break a 90 degree position without touching the mat with your stomach you will then straighten your elbows to push your body back to the starting position. One complete push up begins from the starting position, followed by the lowering of the body so the arms break the 90-degree position and is completed by straightening the arms to return the body back to the starting position.
c) Cardio step Test and box lift (3 min step up to 10 inch step then 50 lb box lift to table five times in 1 minute)
Next, you will stand facing the step. When the timer begins, you will step up onto the 10-inch step. Step forward by placing both feet fully on the step platform. You will then step down backward and place both feet fully on the ground. You will step up and down the step to the metronome beat for 3 consecutive minutes. It is critical that you maintain the same pace as the metronome. When 3 minutes are up, stop immediately and sit down on the chair next to the step. This test will be video taped to ensure that you are able to stay within the acceptable range for the cadence during this step test. Your test administrator will let you know if you are going too fast or too slow so listen to the metronome and your administrator. After 1 minute has passed, you will be asked to stick your finger into a pulse oximeter to determine oxygen levels and heart rate. After the one minute rest, your heart rate will be recorded and must be equal to or less than 136 beats per minute. In the next portion of this step test, you will lift a 50-lb box from the floor using the bottom handles and place the box onto the table. You will then lift the 50 lb box from the table using the bottom handles to place back down onto the floor. You will perform this task a total of 5 times up and down in 1 minute.
5. Job Simulation circuit (2 rounds in 13 minutes with 20 lb weighted vest)
a) Crawl (on mat forward and backward 5 feet)
you will start behind the mat on the floor on your hands and knees. then, you will crawl forward starting with right arm and left knee until you reach the end of the mat with both hands. you will then crawl backward starting with the right knee and left hand until both knees and hands are back to the starting place on the floor.
b) Lift (50lbs sand bag)
You will lift a 50-lb sandbag using the most comfortable handholds from the floor and place it onto the table. You will then lift the sandbag from the table and raise it above your head with both arms, locking out elbows into full extension. Then you will return the sandbag to the table. Then you will lift the 50-lb sandbag from the table and place the sandbag back down onto the floor. You will complete this task once.
c) Carry (50 lbs box)
You will lift a 50-lb box from the floor to waist height and carry the box a distance of 20 feet at waist height using both hands in the bottom handholds. You will then carry the box back to the starting mark turn around and repeat the carry a total of 5 times for 100 feet.
d) Push/Pull (100 lbs of force, 225 lbs on sled)
You will push a weighted sled in a comfortable position to the end of the turf runner so that the front of the sled touches the end of the turf mat. You will then pull the weighted sled backward from a comfortable position back to the starting position. You will complete this task once each direction.
e) Body Drag (140 lbs dummy)
Drag a weighted dummy a distance of 20 ft by grabbing the “wrists” and then set the dummy down onto the ground so that the feet are past the designated marker. You will then lift and drag the weighted dummy using the legs by wrapping them around your waist and drag back until you clear the original starting marker so that the head is past the designated marker.
Repeat job simulation one more time.
6. Walk/Run/Sprint
To conclude this agility test, you will run/walk a mile within 17 minutes. Once the mile marker has been reached, you will sprint a distance of 100 ft for a total time of 17 minutes.
Should the candidate fail the Physical Fitness Screening test, the candidates name shall be removed from the eligible list for the life of the list. Should the candidate take the Physical fitness test and pass, they will remain eligible for hire for two years. Candidates must retake the screening test if it has been two years since taking and passing a prior screening.
NO-RETEST POLICY: Candidates who must pass qualifying physical agility and medical examinations will only be examined once. Failure on any part of a qualifying examination will render the candidate ineligible for certification and appointment from the eligible list. Candidates will be required to retake the written examination prior to taking another qualifying examination. There will be no retesting for drug screenings, physical agility or medical examinations required for any Civil Service examinations and/or appointments.
GENERAL NOTICE TO CANDIDATES FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS
1. Unless otherwise notified, candidates are RECOMMENDED 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. 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. 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.
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
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED.
APPLICATION FILING FEE: A $100.00 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.
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:
·Death in the family or household or attendance at funeral or memorial service.
·Medical illness or emergencies involving the candidate or member(s) of the family.
·Military orders.
·Religious observance (Candidate must submit required form).
·Wedding
·Vacation for which a non-refundable down payment was made before the announcement was issued.
·Required court appearances.
Procedure:
Candidates who have met the criteria may be eligible for one alternate test date. 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.
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@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.
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 Notices may not be mailed/emailed 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.