GENESEE COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES

COUNTY BUILDING I, BATAVIA, NEW YORK

ANNOUNCES

 AN OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR:

 

SENIOR PLANNER, O.C. #62-806

 

SALARY:  $21.55 - $24.52 per hour (2014), Genesee County.

VACANCY:  The Genesee County Planning Department 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 to 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 INITIAL APPOINTMENT. ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS OF A CIVIL DIVISION MAY BE GIVEN PREFERENCE IN APPOINTMENT TO VACANCIES IN THEIR AREA OF RESIDENCY.

 

                    LAST FILING DATE----------OCTOBER 29, 2014

 

                                       EXAMINATION DATE----------DECEMBER 6, 2014

 

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

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

A.        Completion of a Master's Degree in City or Regional Planning AND one (1)
            year of experience in municipal, County or regional planning
or related
            work, including experience using Geographic Information System (GIS)
            technology, [IF CLAIMED, PLEASE ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR
            COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT(S) TO YOUR APPLICATION AND INDICATE
            ALL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE];

OR:

B.        Graduation from a recognized college or university with a
            Bachelor's Degree in Planning, PLUS two (2) years full time, paid
            experience in municipal, County or regional Planning or related work,
            including
experience using Geographic Information System (GIS)
            technology, [IF CLAI
MED, PLEASE ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR
            COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT(S) TO YOUR APPLICATION AND INDICATE
            ALL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE];

OR:

C.        Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering,
            Sociology, Economics, Geography, Government, Public Administration,  
           
Political Science, Environmental Studies or related field AND three (3)
           
years of full-time, paid experience in municipal, county or
            regional planning or related work, including experience using Geographic 
           
Information System (GIS) technology, [IF CLAIMED, PLEASE ATTACH A
            COPY OF YOUR COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT(S) TO YOUR APPLICATION
           
AND INDICATE ALL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE];

OR:

D.        Any equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the
            limits of (A), (B), or (C) above, [IF CLAIMED, PLEASE INDICATE ALL
            RELEVANT TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE ON YOUR APPLICATION].

A copy of an official transcript is acceptable for the purpose of taking this examination, however, at such time a candidate is offered an appointment, an official sealed transcript with a raised college seal must be on file with Human Resources prior to the appointment.

NOTE: You may file for this examination if you expect to complete the educational requirement by January 31, 2015.  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.

NOTE: Photo ID will be required on the day of the examination.

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 (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 receiving   Supplemental Security Income payments, or Public Assistance (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:

Makes work assignments, reviews work performed, and directs supervision of
     other Planning personnel;

Prepares local master plans and elements of the County Comprehensive
     Development Plan;

Prepares zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, and other local land
     use controls;

Reviews and prepares recommendations concerning zoning matters,
     subdivision matters, other kinds of development matters, county capital project
     proposals,
and other agency plans and proposals;

Undertakes surveys related to land use, housing, and other planning concerns;

Coordinates departmental activities with other public agencies;

Prepares written reports and graphics related to the above activities and the oral
    
presentation of departmental recommendations to community groups,
     legislative bodies, other public officials and agencies, and the general public;

Represents the Department of Planning on official committees, at public hearings,
     in legislative meetings, and in other public meetings;

Does related work, as required.

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: The written, multiple-choice test will be designed to measure knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:

1.         Computer-assisted Mapping, Including Geographic Information
               System (GIS) applications;

2.         Collection, Analysis, and Presentation of Data;

3.         Sociological, Economic, Design and Environmental Factors Involved
                in Physical Planning and Community Development;

4.         Community and Regional Physical Planning, Including Zoning    
                and Subdivision Regulations;

5.         Preparing Written Material;

6.         Supervising a Project;

7.         Understanding and Interpreting Charts, Graphs, Maps and Tabular      
                Material.

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 
 
USE OF A CALCULATOR IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EXAMINATION. QUIET, HAND-HELD, SOLAR OR BATTERY POWERED CALCULATORS ARE PERMITTED. 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:

Computer-assisted Mapping, Including Geographic Information System (GIS) Applications-These questions test for knowledge of the concepts, terminology, and proper procedures to use when creating and revising maps and site plans utilizing GIS and computerized mapping software.

Collection, Analysis, and Presentation of Data-These questions test for knowledge of the proper procedures and methods used to gather, evaluate, organize, and utilize various types of technical data and information, and the fundamental concepts, terminolgy, and computations involved in statistical analysis.

Sociological, Economic, Design and Environmental Factors Involved in Physical Planning and Community Development-These questions test for knowledge of the fundamental concepts, design issues, terminology and practices utilized in the land use planning field, including how to best benefit the social, economic and environmental welfare of a community using appropriate planning principles.

Community and Regional Physical Planning, Including Zoning and Subdivision Regulations-These questions test for knowledge of the concepts and accepted practices involved in community and large-area development planning, the laws and regulations governing site and subdivision planning, and typical project development and zoning issues, including related legal terminology.

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.

Supervising a Project-These questions test for the ability to conduct and supervise the activities necessary to achieve the goals and deadlines of a specific project. The questions cover such topics as setting up the project, developing the workplan for the project, assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance and progress, coordinating phases of the project, handling problems as they arise, and meeting deadlines.

Understanding and Interpreting Charts, Graphs, Maps and Tabular Material-These questions test for the ability to read and analyze visual and numerical information presented in maps, plans, and various types of graphic and tabular material, and to perform related basic computations. All the information needed to answer the questions will be provided in the maps, plans, charts, graphs, tables, or related written material.

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--Handicapped Persons: 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.

ADDITIONAL CREDIT AUTHORIZED:  Additional credits shall be allowed for children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty, as “child” in this section in competitive examinations for original appointment.  (a) On all eligible lists resulting from competitive examinations, the names of eligible persons shall be entered in the order of their respective final earned ratings on examinations, with the name of the eligible person with the highest final earned ratings at the head of such list, provided, however, that for the purpose of determining final earned ratings, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty shall be entitled to receive an additional ten (10) points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served.  (b) Such additional credit shall be added to the final earned rating of such child, as the case may be, after he or she has qualified in the competitive examination and shall be granted only at the time of establishment of the resulting eligible list.

PLACE TO FILE: To get an application, come in or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Genesee County Human Resources, County Building I, 15 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 or download from website: www.co.genesee.ny.us. Phone 344-2550, Ext. 2221.

Applications mailed to us must be postmarked with a date no later than the last filing date indicated on this announcement.

All correspondence will be sent only to the address provided on the application for examination. It is your responsibility to inform the Genesee County Human Resources office of any change of address. Correspondence returned for incorrect address will not be forwarded.  All address changes must be submitted to the Genesee County Human Resources office in writing.

APPLICANTS: Please contact this office three days prior to examination if you have not been notified by us, as to your eligibility to participate in this examination.

This examination is being prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service in accordance with Section 23-2 of the Civil Service Law.  The provisions of the New York State Civil Service Rules and Regulations dealing with this rating of the examination will apply to this test.

THE COUNTY OF GENESEE DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF AGE, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, GENDER, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITY, MARITAL STATUS, VETERANS STATUS, DISABLED VETERANS STATUS, OR STATUS AS A MEMBER OF ANY OTHER PROTECTED GROUP OR ACTIVITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF EMPLOYMENT.