GENESEE COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES

COUNTY BUILDING I, BATAVIA, NEW YORK

ANNOUNCES

AN OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR:

SENIOR CLIENT SERVICES OUTREACH ASSISTANT, O.C. #67-667

SALARY:  $15.47 - $17.91 per hour (2016), Genesee County.

VACANCY: The Genesee County Office for the Aging has one (1) position currently held by a provisionally appointed employee, who may be appointed on a permanent basis if found reachable on a civil service list established as a result of this exam. This examination is also being held to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies, which may occur during the life of the eligible list.

An eligible may receive only one permanent appointment from this list. Once appointed, there will be a Probationary Period of 8-52 weeks based on performance of duties. During this probationary period the Department Head has the ability to terminate employment, without cause.

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF GENESEE COUNTY OR OF A COUNTY CONTIGUOUS TO GENESEE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST TWO (2) MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION, AND MUST HAVE CONTINUED THEIR RESIDENCY THROUGH THE PERIOD LEADING TO THEIR INTITAL APPOINTMENT. ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS OF A CIVIL DIVISION MAY BE GIVEN PREFERENCE IN APPOINTMENT TO VACANCIES IN THEIR AREA OF RESIDENCY.

                    LAST FILING DATE----------MARCH 16, 2016

                                       EXAMINATION DATE----------APRIL 23, 2016

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must meet the following requirements on or before the date of the written examination:

Graduation from high school or possession of an appropriate equivalency diploma recognized by the NYS Department of Education, AND EITHER:

A.        Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered college  
            or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service or related field,
            [IF CLAIMED, PLEASE ATTACH AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO Y
            OUR APPLICATION];

OR:

B.        Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS registered college
            or university with an Associate’s Degree in Human Service or related
            field, AND two (2) years full-time, paid experience in a human services 
            field, [IF CLAIMED, PLEASE ATTACH AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT TO
            YOUR APPLICATION AND INDICATE ALL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE];

OR:

C.        Any equivalent combination of training and experience within the limits of A
            or B above. [IF CLAIMED PLEASE INDICATE ALL RELEVANT
           TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ON YOUR APPLICATION].

NOTE: PHOTO ID WILL BE REQUIRED ON THE DAY OF THE EXAMINATION.

NOTE: You may file for this examination if you expect to complete the educational requirement by June 30, 2016.  If successful on the examination, however, you will not be certified for appointment until you have submitted proof of completion of the educational requirements to Genesee County Human Resources. Proof must be submitted no later than 2 months after the completion date. Failure to do so will result in removal of your name from the eligible list.

CANDIDATES, PLEASE NOTE: It is vital that you submit, with your application, all information necessary to show your qualification for examination.  APPLICATIONS WHICH DO NOT SHOW TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE TO MEET MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE DISAPPROVED, AND WE WILL NOT REFER TO OTHER APPLICATIONS ON FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NOTE – FILING FEES: (The acceptance of your application is dependent upon your following these instructions accurately):

A fee of $20.00 is required for each separately-numbered examination for which you apply.  The required fee must accompany your application.  The fee may be submitted in the form of either CASH or CREDIT CARD (if delivered in person), PERSONAL CHECK or MONEY ORDER, (if by mail).  Personal Checks and Money Orders must be payable to the GENESEE COUNTY TREASURER.  Please write the examination number(s) on your personal check or money order.  YOUR APPLICATION FEE WILL NOT BE REFUNDED if you do not meet the requirements for admission to the examination. Compare your qualifications carefully to the requirements stated on the announcement and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified. A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are receiving unemployment and are 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 are receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, or Temporary Assistance for Needy 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.  All claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification.  In order for us to verify your eligibility for an application fee waiver, you must complete a “Request for Fee Waiver” form and submit it with your application by the close of business on the Last Filing Date as indicated on the Examination Announcement. The “Request for Fee Waiver” form can be obtained at Genesee County Human Resources, 15 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 or from our website, www.co.genesee.ny.us.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

Solely responsible for determining clients eligibility for non-medical in-home care. Completes initial intake and assessment to determine the need for in-home care. Makes the decisions and prioritizes who receives services and waiting list status; Analyzes information gathered from an in-depth assessment process to identify clients ongoing care needs;

Determines client eligibility for non-medical in-home care based on client assessment; 

Identifies clients in need of non-medical in-home services by conducting outreach activities;

Responsible for the development of care plans that address all client needs identified and makes arrangements for clients to have needs met through appropriate services in the community. 

Oversees and responds to client’s ongoing care needs while client is receiving non- medical in-home care; making changes to client’s care plan as necessary;

Interviews clients and conduct in-depth assessments for non-medical in-home care; assessments are completed in client’s homes requiring routine home visits;

Provides information, referral and assistance to clients to meet needs identified in assessment process.  Referrals made to other service providers, as necessary, and assistance may be directly provided for completion of some benefit program applications required;

Maintains computerized client tracking system for non-medical in-home clients to meet time frames for assessment and contacts specified in EISEP regulations. Schedules and completes annual assessments and 2 month contacts, according to State regulations.  Makes adjustments to care plans and does required follow-up for clients as client needs change;

Completes all documents, reports and forms (either in writing or with computer program) necessary to comply with all record-keeping requirements as per program regulations;

Identifies caregivers of elderly persons and offers supportive services to them to assist with their care giving needs. This includes assessment of caregivers’ needs; information on services available to assist the caregiver or their elder care-receiver; facilitating caregiver support groups; helping to implement and promote training and education programs for caregivers; and writing publicity releases and updating promotional material on all types of caregiver services;

Works with legal services provider to assure compliance with legal program and follow through of legal client needs;

Reviews client files processed by co-workers and assists in conveying information to appropriate staff for follow up and client tracking system.

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in the following areas:

1.   Characteristics, Issues and Problems Relating to the Elderly

2.   Educating and Interacting with the Public

3.   Preparing Written Material

4.   Working with People in Human Services Situations

CANDIDATES ARE PERMITTED TO USE QUIET, HAND-HELD, SOLAR OR BATTERY POWERED CALCULATORS.  DEVICES WITH TYPEWRITER KEYBOARDS SUCH AS COMPUTERS, SPELL-CHECKERS, PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANTS, ADDRESS BOOKS, LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS, DICTIONARIES AND ANY SIMILAR DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED.

EXPANDED SUB-TEST DESCRIPTION: Characteristics, Issues, and Problems Relating to the Elderly-These questions test for knowledge of the characteristics of the elderly, the issues of concern to them, and the causes and implications of significant problems facing them. The questions may cover such areas as housing, economic security, employment, long-term care, health care, recreation, social support, nutrition, and mental and physical functioning.

Educating and Interacting with the Public-These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individuals and/or community groups, to educate or inform them about topics of concern, to publicize or clarify agency programs or policies, to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and to represent one's agency or program in a manner in keeping with good public relations practices. Questions may also cover interacting with others in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service.

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.

Working with People in Human Services Situations-These questions test for a knowledge of general techniques used to deal with common client behaviors such as fear, hostility, shyness, resistance, defensiveness, withdrawal, anxiety and confusion.

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

CROSS-FILING:If you have applied for other local government or state examinations, call or write to each civil service agency to make arrangements no later than two weeks before the date of the examinations.  You must notify all local government civil service agencies with whom you have filed an application of the test site at which you wish to take your examinations.  The “Cross-filer Form” for Genesee County can be obtained at Genesee County Human Resources, 15 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020 or from our website, www.co.genesee.ny.us.

NOTE: Religious Accommodations, Persons with Disabilities or Active Military: If special arrangements for testing are required, please indicate this on your application. An explanation of your need for special testing accommodations must be attached to your application.  If due to disability – medical documentation must be provided.

ACTIVE MILITARY MEMBERS: Any member of the armed forces of the United States who has duly filed an application to compete in a scheduled competitive examination but was deprived of the opportunity to compete in the examination due to active military duty could be provided with a special military make-up examination.

Current members of the Armed Forces may apply for Veteran’s credits by filing an “Application for Veteran’s Credits” (Form VC-1).  The “Application for Veteran’s Credits” can be obtained at Genesee County Human Resources, 15 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020 or from our website at, www.co.genesee.ny.us. Proof of military status must also be presented and verified in order for consideration of granting of “conditional” Veteran’s credit.  Acceptable proof may include a military I.D. card, military orders, or other official military document that substantiates active military service at time of exam. This documentation and VC-1 Form must be received prior to the establishment of the Eligible List for this examination.  The “conditional” status of the additional credits will remain until proof is provided indicating that the service was in time of war and that the veteran received an honorable discharge, or was released under honorable circumstances.

VETERANS: Additional credits are available to veterans who meet certain established requirements.  Veterans who have not exhausted their credits should make application for their use, if desired.  A COMPLETED APPLICATION FOR VETERANS CREDITS (FORM VC-1) AND a COPY OF SEPARATION PAPERS (FORM DD-214) MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE THE ELIGIBLE LIST FOR THIS EXAMINATION IS ESTABLISHED IN ORDER TO UTILIZE ADDITIONAL CREDITS.  DISABLED VETERANS MUST SUBMIT, IN ADDITION, A COPY OF FORM VC-3 (AUTHORIZATION FOR DISABILITY RECORD). The “Application for Veteran’s Credits” can be obtained at Genesee County Human Resources, 15 Main St., Batavia, NY 14020 or from our website at, www.co.genesee.ny.us.