Residence Requirements:

THIS EXAMINATION IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE ERIE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT. The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill future vacancies at the Erie County Probation Department.
The eligible list resulting from this examination will not supersede currently existing promotional eligible lists for this title, if any. The duration of all promotional eligible lists is four years from date of establishment unless otherwise indicated.

Examples of Duties:

A Probation Supervisor supervises Probation Officers in the application of professional  casework and probation principles and techniques to the process of pre-sentence investigations, counseling and rehabilitation;
Supervises the work of Probation Officers assigned to the unit; 
Evaluates performance of subordinate staff; 
Outlines plan of investigation; 
Applies modern social work techniques for probationers; 
Trains Probation Officers; 
Conducts meetings with Probation Officers to guide and counsel on problems; 
Prepares and submits reports and correspondence; 
Reviews and evaluates casework reports; 
Assists in procedures and recommends treatment for probationers when requested; 
Reviews court orders prior to assignment to appropriate personnel.  

Qualifications:

QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR TAKING THE TEST: Candidates must be permanently employed in the competitive class and must be serving and have served continuously on a permanent or contingent permanent basis in the competitive class for 36 months immediately preceding the date of the written test in the position of Job Group XI as Probation Officer or Probation Officer-Spanish Speaking or Minority Group Specialist.

Notes:

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

Subjects of Examination:

Subjects of examination: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Case supervision

These questions present descriptions of problems and situations in employee-supervisor or employee-client relationships typically encountered in the supervision of employees who deal with client caseloads. The situations and/or problems presented may cover administrative issues such as planning and assigning cases, developing employees' competence in casework through discussion of problem cases, and helping employees deal with job-related stress.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Probation casework supervision

Questions may be presented as hypothetical case histories of offenders and/or descriptions of situations typically encountered by the probation professional which require the application of casework and/or casework supervision principles, in some instances incorporating relevant procedures, laws, rules or regulations.

5. Probation programs and services, including trends and developments, laws, rules and regulations,

These questions test for the candidates' knowledge of laws, rules and regulations relevant to probation and understanding of current trends and developments in probation programs and services with emphasis on pre-trial procedures, sentencing and sentencing alternatives and probation service and service delivery.

6. Supervision

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline. 

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted 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.

Unless otherwise indicated, the eligible list resulting from this examination will have a duration of four years and will not supersede existing promotional lists, if any.

RATINGS REQUIRED:  Test is rated on a scale of 100 with a passing mark at 70.  Test instructions may further divide the tests into parts and set minimum standards for each part.

Points will be added to scores of candidates who achieve a passing mark as follows: Seniority:  For each year of service in the classified service:

Less than 1 year……………………..................…0 points

1 year up to 6 years…………….…........................1 point

Over 6 years up to 11 years.....………......….........2 points

Over 11 years up to 16 years….…........….........…3 points

Over 16 years up to 21 years………..................…4 points

Over 21 years………………………..................…5 points

VETERANS:  Disabled and non-disabled veterans as defined in Section 85, New York State Civil Service Law, will have 5 and 2.5 points, respectively added to their earned scores if successful in the examination.  You must claim these credits when you file application but you have an option to waive them any time prior to appointment.  If you have already used these credits for a permanent position in NYS, you may not claim them again.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.