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WESTCHESTER COUNTY
CIVIL SERVICE PROMOTIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES


County Service · Westchester Medical Center · Towns · Villages · School Districts

Special Districts · Cities of Peekskill & Rye

 

Last Filing Date: 7/17/15
Date Posted: 6/24/15
JBCL: S0002

 

Exam #: 76-353

Exam Date: 9/12/15

CORRECTION OFFICER - CAPTAIN

 

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.

 

TO APPLY ONLINE VISIT WWW.WESTCHESTERGOV.COM/HR

 

SALARY

 

$126,320

 

QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE

 

Immediately preceding the time of examination must have 24 months continuous permanent competitive class status as a Correction Officer - Sergeant in the Westchester County Department of Correction.

 

Note:  Persons who are currently employed under Section 55a, New York State Civil Service Law, and who meet all the above eligibility requirements in the non-competitive rather than competitive class may compete in this examination.

 

DUTIES

 

Under general supervision, and in accordance with New York State Commission of Correction regulations and applicable federal, state and local laws, an incumbent of this position supervises a detail or sub-unit of Correction Officer – Sergeants or Correction Officers to provide care, custody and control over prisoners confined within the institutions of the Department of Correction. Incumbents may also be assigned to special projects or functions within the department requiring considerable independent judgment and decision-making authority. This position administers and directs operations of a division of the Department such as the Penitentiary, Jail, and Hospital Ward.  Unusual or emergency situations are handled by taking action and securing assistance as is deemed necessary in the judgment of the Correction Officer-Captain.  In the absence of the Warden, Associate Warden and Assistant Warden of the unit assigned, the ranking Correction Officer-Captain assumes temporary command of that unit. In addition to immediate responsibility for prisoners confined within the building on an assigned shift, supervision is exercised over a number of Correction Officer-Sergeants and Correction Officers.  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

 

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

 

  1. Administrative supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and his/her subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.

 

  1. Basic skills training - These questions test for the knowledge and abilities required to train individuals, often on a one-to-one basis, who need to acquire basic information and learn to perform simple tasks. They address topics such as planning activities to promote learning, presenting information, providing guidance, and evaluating learning. These questions cover the most basic level of training.

 

  1. Minimum standards for management of county jails and pertinent NYS Correction Law and Penal Law - These questions test for knowledge in such areas as: the Minimum Standards for county jails promulgated by the Commission of Correction concerning the admission/discharge, care, custody, movement, activities, behaviors, correctional treatment, supervision, and discipline of all persons confined to local correctional facilities, as well as pertinent NYS Correction Law and Penal Law.

 

  1. COORDINATING APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO EMERGENCIES, DISTURBANCES AND OTHER UNUSUAL SITUATIONS - These questions test for knowledge in such areas as: anticipating possible correctional emergency situations, responding to situations promptly and allocating staff where needed; notifying supervisors of situations when appropriate; acting within rules to alleviate problems as quickly as possible with minimum use of force; investigating the causes of incidents; submitting reports on incidents.

 

  1. SUPERVISING INMATE CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS, SERVICES, VISITATION AREAS AND CORRECTIONAL STAFF - These questions test for knowledge in such areas as: coordinating programs with civilian staff; ensuring that all employees relate well to visitors and guests and answer their questions in accordance with facility rules; organizing and supervising special programs involving outside groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, etc.) and insuring full cooperation from employees.

 

The questions may also deal with such areas as: understanding new concepts and developments in the field of Corrections, and evaluating employees' capabilities and limitations on the job.

 

6.       Preparing written material - These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.

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 "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: www.cs.ny.gov/testing/localtestguides.cfm

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.  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 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.

 

SENIORITY:  Excluding the first year, points will be added to an eligible score as follows: 1.0 point for each 5 years or fraction thereof of permanent status in the classified service in Westchester County or Appointing Authority (as applicable) from 1 year to 26 years, calculated in years and months, not days.  (0-1 year = 0; over 1 year - 6 years = 1; over 6 years - 11 years = 2; over 11 years - 16 years = 3; over 16 years - 21 years = 4; over 21 years - 26 years = 5).

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

APPLICATION FILING FEE

 

A $100.00 APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH SEPARATELY NUMBERED EXAMINATION FOR WHICH YOU APPLY.  THE FEE MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR APPLICATION(S) AND MUST BE RECEIVED IN OUR OFFICE AT THE ADDRESS NOTED BELOW BY THE LAST FILING DATE. 

 

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 PRIOR TO, OR POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN, THE LAST FILING DATE.  (METERED MAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE LAST FILING DATE.)

 

THE APPLICATION FILING FEE IS SUBJECT TO BEING INCREASED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

 

You may obtain blank application forms in person and submit completed exam application forms to the:

 

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
SUITE 100, MICHAELIAN OFFICE BUILDING
148 MARTINE AVENUE
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK 10601

 

Completed applications MUST be postmarked NO LATER THAN THE LAST FILING DATE and must have the required application fee attached; or, if not mailed, delivered to the above address together with the required application fee attached NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. on the last filing date.

 

NOTERELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION - Most written tests are held on Saturdays.  If you cannot take the test on the announced test date due to a conflict with a religious observance or practice, check the appropriate box under “Testing Accommodation” on your application.  We will make arrangements for you to take the test on a different date.

 

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.

 

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