ANNOUNCED FOR:
NASSAU COUNTY CORRECTIONAL CENTER SALARY : $39,155 - $107,532 (under the current collective bargaining agreement)
Announcement amended on 5/24/24 to extend FILING DATE:
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED TO JUNE 17, 2024 GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES Maintains security and order, patrols an assigned post, and assures proper inmate behavior at the County Correctional Center; performs related duties as required.
COMPLEXITY OF DUTIES Under general supervision, the duties involve stress and some personal danger, and require the exercise of judgment and physical ability in maintaining security and order. Per Article 2, Section 2.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law, an incumbent of this position is designated as Peace Officer, which involves the use of firearms. Work shifts rotate on a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week basis.
TYPICAL DUTIES *1. Patrols and checks the yard and grounds, as well as tiers, cells, and corridors of Correctional Center buildings.
*2. Visually observes surroundings, looking for any unusual, suspicious, or dangerous circumstances.
*3. Listens for unusual sounds, such as change in noise level, arguments, call for help, cry of fire, etc., to detect and prevent possible security or safety problems.
*4. Checks odors to detect the presence of smoke, marijuana, alcohol, flammable liquids, and other contraband and/or dangerous materials.
*5. Monitors the number of inmates in area and enters count in Log Book and/or activity sheets to record inmate movement.
*6. Counts, checks names, and escorts and supervises inmates to and from cell blocks, recreational activities, infirmary, showers, visitors' area, work assignments, court, etc., to prevent disorder, fighting, or breaches of security.
*7. Inspects and searches inmate quarters for drugs, weapons, or other contraband, and checks sanitary conditions.
*8. Strip searches or pat-frisks inmates to locate contraband.
*9. Checks visitors, cars, and trucks entering or leaving the institution for contraband.
*10. Checks doors, windows, bars, gates, locks, and other security equipment to make sure they are operational and have not been tampered with.
*11. Locks and unlocks cells and access doors, using mechanical and electrical devices.
*12. Ensures that inmates have proper clothing and equipment, and arranges for replacements as needed.
*13. Physically separates inmates during, or to prevent, physical confrontations.
*14. Calls for assistance to control incidents by sounding personal alarm, taking phone off hook, or using some other signal.
*15. Uses chemical agents, protective equipment, restraining devices, baton, and firearms, as directed by superior officer.
16. Guides and instructs inmates in their personal care, social behavior, and habits.
17. Reads and explains to inmates the rules and regulations governing their conduct, as required.
18. Completes standard forms, reports, and log books, recording necessary information, as required.
19. Upon completion of five years of permanent service as a Correction Officer, incumbent may assist in conducting various investigations as directed by the Sheriff, as required.
* ADA ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Must be met on or before the last day of the filing period:
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
AGE : Candidates must not be less than 18 years of age and must not have reached their 70th birthday on the date of the written test. Eligibility for appointment will not begin until a candidate has reached his/her 21st birthday and will terminate when a candidate reaches his/her 70th birthday. Time spent in military service, as defined in Section 243 of the Military Law may be deducted from actual age up to a maximum of 7 years.
(Veterans: If you have reached your 70th birthday by the date of the test you must submit your DD214 - separation papers with your application.)
EDUCATION : Candidates must be graduates of a senior high school or must possess a high school equivalency diploma before their names can be certified for appointment.
NOTE : Proof of claimed education will be required at the start of the background investigation.
LICENSE : A valid New York State Driver License will be required at the time of appointment
CITIZENSHIP : CANDIDATES MUST BE UNITED STATES CITIZENS AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT.
NOTE : SEE ITEMS NOS. 1 AND 2 OF
GENERAL INFORMATION .
HOW TO APPLY :
ONLINE APPLICATIONS are available at
www.nassaucivilservice.com. The advantages of filing electronically include the storage of submitted applications in your personal user account and application processing fee payment by credit/debit card.
Additionally, our
Examination Announcements webpage includes a link entitled
Job Descriptions and Job Interest Cards, which offers the opportunity to view class specifications and fill out a form so that you may receive an email notification when an open competitive examination for a particular title is announced in the future.
PLEASE NOTE : Computers are available to file electronic applications in our office at 40 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Hempstead, NY from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM, Monday thru Friday. In accordance with our goal of making the Nassau County Civil Service Commission a paperless agency,
no hard copy application is available.
RESIDENCY : CANDIDATES MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF NASSAU COUNTY OR SUFFOLK COUNTY OR QUEENS COUNTY BY DATE OF APPOINTMENT FROM THE ELIGIBLE LIST ESTABLISHED AS A RESULT OF THIS EXAMINATION.
FEE :
NON-REFUNDABLE Processing Fee must be submitted for
each separately numbered examination for which you apply. This fee
must be paid by credit or debit card.
CAREFULLY REVIEW THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ON THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE THAT YOU MEET THEM, AS THIS IS A NON-REFUNDABLE PROCESSING FEE. Applications submitted without proper payment will be rejected without review.
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. Active-duty military service members and military veterans shall be exempt from the payment of application fees.
All claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification. If you can verify eligibility for application fee waiver, when prompted to submit the application processing fee, choose the
Fee Waiver option. Follow the directions regarding downloading and submitting the required fee waiver form.
NOTE : SEE ITEM NO. 6 OF GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING ADDITIONAL CREDITS FOR VETERANS, AND FOR CHILDREN/SIBLINGS OF FIREFIGHTERS/POLICE OFFICERS WHO QUALIFY UNDER SECTIONS 85A/85B OF CIVIL SERVICE LAW. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU QUALIFY FOR SUCH CREDITS, ANSWER “YES” TO THE APPLICABLE QUESTION(S) IN THE APPLICATION.
VACANCIES : SEE ITEM NO. 4 OF
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR INFORMATION REGARDING VACANCIES AND BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT TO CERTAIN POSITIONS.
NOTE : The Nassau County Civil Service Commission is in the process of transitioning to canvassing by email. Please be aware that several agencies have been given the authority to send canvass letters to the email address you provided on your exam application. Some agencies will still be canvassing by US Mail until the transition period has been completed. You must respond to all letters received – MORE THAN TWO NO-RESPONSES TO CANVASS LETTERS WILL RESULT IN THE REMOVAL OF A CANDIDATE FROM THE ELIGIBLE LIST.
SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION
There is no written multiple-choice test. This is an online examination questionnaire that asks questions about your education, training, and work experience. This online questionnaire IS YOUR EXAMINATION. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will receive a rating based upon an evaluation of your training and experience against the duties of the position being tested.
Candidates must complete an examination application and return it to the
Nassau County Civil Service Commission on or before the last filing date of
JUNE 17, 2024. Approved candidates will be sent a notice containing directions to a website address needed to complete a Training and Experience Questionnaire.
The Training and Experience (T&E) Questionnaire will be available on
J ULY 1, 2024 and approved candidates will be required to complete and submit this questionnaire between
JULY 1, 2024 and
JULY 31, 2024. Candidates will not be able to claim any credit for training or experience to be gained after the application filing deadline
JUNE 17, 2024. Candidates who fail to submit their questionnaire by
JULY 31, 2024 will not receive a score and will not be added to the eligible list.
Note: Individuals can participate in Correction Officer examinations for other municipal civil service agencies to maximize their opportunity for appointment. Interested candidates will need to separately apply, be registered, and complete the T&E questionnaire for each municipal civil service agency according to each agency’s guidelines. In addition, the application and T&E questionnaire process for the NYS Correction Officer Trainee exam program is separate from the Correction Officer T&E exam program for municipal civil service agencies. Visit
cs.ny.gov for more information on applying to State exams.
TAKING THE ONLINE T&E EXAMINATION AND PERSONAL NY.GOV ID ACCOUNTS Approved applicants will need to access the T&E examination on the Department of Civil Service website. Each applicant will need a personal NY.GOV ID to participate in the examination. Applicants may already have a personal NY.GOV ID account if they have used online services for other agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles. They should use the same personal NY.GOV ID for civil service examination purposes.
Applicants should not create a new personal NY.GOV ID. More information about personal NY.GOV ID’s is available at:
https://www.cs.ny.gov/home/myaccount/ There is a helpful video for applicants at this link. Applicants that require technical assistance with their personal NY.GOV ID can contact New York State Office of Information Technology (ITS) Service Desk directly at 844-891-1786 or at
Fixit@its.ny.gov.
HELPFUL TIPS FOR COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE We recommend that you review the questionnaire in its entirety and collect all the information you will need to complete the questionnaire (e.g., documents related to your education, licenses, certifications, etc.). Then, set aside a block of time that is free of interruptions while you work on the questionnaire. Answer all questions that apply to your education, certification, and work experience as completely and accurately as possible. Save the information that you enter on each page by clicking on the "Save" button which is located at the end of each section.
Pre-populated information: If you have filled out any questionnaires in the past, you may see saved responses pre-populated where appropriate. This feature is provided as a convenience to candidates. It is your responsibility to make sure all your responses are accurate before you submit each questionnaire, including any pre-populated responses. You can change, delete, or modify the information on the questionnaire before you submit it for a new examination; however, this will not change your previous submission.
Amended Responses: If you have submitted a municipal Correction Officer T&E questionnaire previously, you may see indications that the New York State Department of Civil Service amended your questionnaire to either remove responses not appropriate for the section and/or to remove credit for responses deemed unverifiable or incorrect, as requested by a municipal agency for which you submitted a questionnaire. If the amendment impacted your final score on a previous questionnaire submission, you should have received notice from the municipal agency. Please review the information provided in your current questionnaire for accuracy before your next submission.
Technical Issues: Issues regarding access to the exam should be directed to the local civil service agency for whom you are taking the exam(s). Issues pertaining to creating or accessing your civil service account can be directed to the ITS Enterprise Services Desk via the methods listed below.
Contact the ITS Enterprise Services Desk at: 1-844-891-1786
Reach us through online chat at:
https://chat.its.ny.gov.
Send us an email at:
Fixit@its.ny.gov It is in your best interest to complete your questionnaire as early in the submission period as possible to avoid last-minute complications.
COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES Before you submit your questionnaire(s), you will be prompted to review your entries. We recommend you print a copy of your responses to keep for your own records because this will enable you to check the information before you make your final submission. When you submit your questionnaire(s), you will receive a confirmation stating that your questionnaire has been successfully submitted.
Please note that if you are currently registered for multiple Correction Officer T&E examinations with municipal civil service agencies, your questionnaire will be submitted for all open municipal Correction Officer T&E examinations. Please review your submission confirmation statement for this information and check to make sure you do not have any additional questionnaires to submit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Candidates can refer to the candidate instructions provided in the online Correction Officer T&E examination system for most questions.
For general questions and answers about completing the online questionnaire, please visit the frequently asked questions page on our website at
https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/faqs.cfm.
Any other questions about this examination should be directed to the local civil service agency that issued the examination announcement.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION, DRUG TESTING AND FINGERPRINTING : According to Civil Service Law and/or policy of this Commission, a background investigation (which may include a polygraph examination), substance abuse screening and fingerprint check is required. Each candidate will be required to provide a waiver and release permitting the Commission to disclose to the candidates current employer any positive test results. The Division of Criminal Justice Services requires each fingerprint search request to be accompanied by a fee. This fee must be submitted by the candidate. The fee is usually $76.25. The refusal of any candidate to submit the required fee shall, in itself, disqualify a candidate from being placed on an eligible list for certification. You will be instructed at the appropriate time when and how to submit payment.
NOTE : CONVICTION OF A FELONY OR A MISDEMEANOR
MAY BAR APPOINTMENT.
MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS : Candidates who pass both the written examination and the background investigation (including a fingerprint check) will, after a conditional offer of employment, be scheduled for
the Comprehensive Medical Evaluation,
the Physical Fitness Screening Test,
the Psychological Evaluation,
and any other tests deemed necessary including substance abuse screening.
A MEDICAL EXAMINATION FEE OF $100.00 IS REQUIRED. CANDIDATES WILL BE INSTRUCTED AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME WHEN AND HOW TO SUBMIT PAYMENT. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR A SCHEDULED TEST OR EVALUATION, OR FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE $100.00 MEDICAL EXAMINATION FEE AT THE REQUIRED TIME, WILL RESULT IN ELIMINATION FROM COMPETITION FOR THIS POSITION. CANDIDATES WHO ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN ANY PART OF THIS EXAMINATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. THE MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET AT THE TIME OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION.
Check
www.nassaucivilservice.com for updates and to review the Physical Fitness standards.
STANDARDS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CANDIDATE TO NOTIFY THIS COMMISSION, IN WRITING, OF ANY CHANGE OF NAME, MAILING/LEGAL/EMAIL ADDRESS, OR PHONE NUMBER: INDICATE EXAMINATION NUMBER AND TITLE, AND YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
FAILURE TO NOTIFY THIS COMMISSION OF AN ADDRESS/EMAIL CHANGE IN A TIMELY FASHION MAY CAUSE THE CANDIDATE TO MISS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OR BE DISQUALIFIED. THE NASSAU COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION reserves the right to reject for lateness or to accept applications filed after the advertised filing period. The number of candidates who will be permitted to sit for the examination may be limited in the discretion of the Civil Service Commission. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply early.
DISABLED VETERANS : Visit our homepage at
www.nassaucivilservice.com to view information (including a downloadable credit request form) on a recent amendment to the New York Constitution regarding the award and use of additional credits for certain disabled veterans on civil service examinations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.
APPLYING : Inquiries should be directed to the Executive Director, Nassau County Civil Service Commission. The Commission
does not accept responsibility for non-delivery or delivery delays of emails due to issues with your email account. The Commission reserves the right to reject for lateness or to accept applications filed after the advertised filing period.
2.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE : The burden of establishing qualifications to the satisfaction of the Commission shall be upon the applicant.
For the purpose of meeting the training and experience requirement of any examination, no credits shall be given for any work experience which is determined by the Commission to have been gained or acquired in violation of the provisions of the Civil Service Law. Where required, certificates, licenses, and military separation papers (DD214) must be submitted with your application. Proof of claimed education, (copy of your high school diploma, Military, GED,
New York State or comparable Equivalency Diploma) may be required to be submitted with the application. If education beyond high school is required,
official transcripts must be submitted directly to us by the school.
College education is considered at the rate of 30 credits completed per year.
For open competitive qualifications only, paid experience, if other than on a full time basis will be prorated.
Volunteer experience may be accepted if verifiable, and the experience claimed must have been in a structured program. Documentation signed by an official of the agency indicating hours per week, level of work, etc. must be provided.
Where additional experience may be substituted for an academic degree/diploma, the interpretation of the note, generally, is that for a full substitution, the underlying educational requirement for a Master’s degree must be a Bachelor’s degree; for a Bachelor’s degree, it must be a High School Diploma/High School Equivalency Diploma; for a High School Diploma, it must be satisfactory completion of tenth or eighth grade education, as appropriate.
3.
THE EXAMINATION : The Commission reserves the right, after this announcement is issued, to subdivide the examination and/or require a specific passing mark in one or more of such subdivisions in order that a candidate be considered further for eligibility. Notice of such arrangement will be given in the examination instructions.
A record of disrespect for the requirements and processes of law, including repeated traffic offenses or disregard of summonses for traffic offenses, is grounds for disqualification for examination, or after examination, for certification and appointment.
Examinations prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service will be in accordance with Section 23-2 of the Civil Service Law.
Examinations prepared and rated by the Nassau County Civil Service Commission will be in accordance with the rules and regulations of this Commission.
4.
ELIGIBLE LISTS, PLACEMENT, AND ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT TO CERTAIN POSITIONS :
Vacancies: Eligible lists resulting from examinations may be limited to a sufficient number of passing candidates to fill vacancies. Additional candidates may be processed for certification from the lists as the need arises.
All eligible lists shall be established for four years unless the Executive Director deems it appropriate to expire an eligible list before the end of the four-year term from establishment.
Candidates must be psychologically and physically fit to perform the duties required for the position. Medical or psychological examination may be required.
When there is a need for employees to fill vacancies on a part time basis the eligible list may be canvassed for that purpose.
Changing conditions occasionally result in certification and offers of employment at higher or lower salaries than those announced.
Special Requirement for Appointment to CERTAIN positions in School Districts and BOCES: Per Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, and by Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, to be employed in a
position designated by a school district or BOCES as involving direct contact with students , a clearance for employment from the State Education Department is
required . If you are considered for such a position, you will be instructed at the
appropriate time as to your responsibilities in this clearance process (if fingerprinting is required, there may be an additional fee which you may be responsible for). FINGERPRINTING REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT TO CERTAIN POSITIONS: In compliance with various laws, appointment to certain positions may require candidates to undergo a
fingerprint check for the purpose of a criminal history record check. If you are considered for such a position, you will be instructed at the appropriate time as to where/when such fingerprinting will take place (you may be responsible for paying applicable fingerprinting fees).
5.
ADDITIONAL CREDITS :
VETERAN’S CREDITS (as defined in Section 6 of article 5 of the New York State Constitution): A veteran may be granted additional credits to be added to a
passing score of an examination, as follows:
Non Disabled Vet: Open Competitive Exam: 5 points; Promotion Exam: 2.5 points Disabled Vet: Open Competitive Exam: 10 points; Promotion Exam: 5 points The veteran must have: served on full-time active duty for purposes
other than training; been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances. In addition, beginning January 1, 1998, the NYS Constitution allows members of the US Armed Forces who are on active duty the right to request extra War Time Veterans credits on civil service examinations. Veteran’s credit may be
requested for each examination until actually used, for appointment from a list. Credits may be
used (the veteran was permanently
appointed or
promoted as a result of receiving the additional credits)
once, with the following exception:
If non-disabled veterans credits have previously been used to obtain an appointment or promotion, for eligible lists established after January 1, 2014,
disabled veterans may be entitled to additional credits on a civil service examination if they have used non-disabled veterans credits to obtain an appointment or promotion with New York State or a local government, and subsequent to such use, they have been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”; formerly known as the United States Veterans Administration) to be a
qualified disabled veteran, as defined in the New York State Civil Service Law. In such cases, the disabled veteran shall be entitled to apply for and use 10 credits on New York State and local open competitive and promotion examinations,
minus the number of non-disabled credits he or she has previously used. The additional credits can only be used once. SECTIONS 85-A & 85-B: In conformance with sections 85-a and 85-b of the Civil Service Law,
(85-a)children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty and
(85-b)
siblings of firefighters and police officers having died in the performance of duty as a natural and proximate result of either the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001 or in the subsequent rescue effort, shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the
same municipality in which his or her parent/sibling has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and meet one of the above criteria, please answer “yes” to the appropriate question in 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. The text of these sections of law is available at our public counter at
40 Main Street, Hempstead, NY, as well as on our web site at
www.nassaucivilservice.com Nassau County Civil Service Commission
40 Main Street
Hempstead, NY 11550
(516) 572-1882