Residence Requirements:

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS:  CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. There are two anticipated vacancies at the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning-Division of Sewerage Management.

A promotion examination will be held at the same time as this examination. The list resulting from the promotion examination will be used first but appointments from this open competitive examination are anticipated. Use of the list may be suspended after it is one year old for any position which it is practical to fill through a new promotion examination.

Examples of Duties:

A Sewer Repair Supervisor inspects and repairs the sewer systems; 

Supervises the enforcement of sanitary sewer regulations, and where necessary, initiates action to secure compliance;

Supervises personnel of the individual sewer district who operate and/or perform preventive or corrective maintenance of the sewerage systems and equipment;

Assists in planning, collecting and evaluating data collected from television inspection, manhole inspection, manhole repair, smoke testing, house inspection and sewer repair;

Supervises the requisitioning and inventory of equipment and supplies by the sewer district;

Assists in the operation and maintenance of CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) and related computer hardware (computers, servers, communication devices and equipment) and software (SCADA, GIS) application related to sanitary sewer collection systems;

Trains staff in the administration, operation and maintenance of the CMMS;

Maintains records relating to sewer district construction, operation and maintenance;

Prepares periodic reports relating to sewerage system operation and maintenance, including recommendations for reducing infiltration and inflow as it relates to sewer system improvements and preventive maintenance;

Assists in updating the sewer district web-based, electronic operations and maintenance manuals;

Assists in safety regulations and procedures, instructs district personnel in their use and maintains follow-up to assure compliance with them;

Reviews sewer and subdivision plans prepared by other agencies which require action by or coordination with either the Division of Sewerage Management or the sewer district;

Assists in the preparation of district budgets;

Assists in the supervision and participates in the inspection of new construction, to include sewer lines, pumping stations and auxiliary facilities and structure;

Supervises complaint investigations relating to sewerage facilities and makes recommendations for corrective action;

Assists in issuing permits, collection of fees and connections to sanitary sewer;

Utilizes computer software such as word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.

Qualifications:

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

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two (2) year college or university with an Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering Technology and four (4) years of experience in the construction, inspection, maintenance and/or operations of sewers or sewerage systems, at least one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity* (see Note 1) ; or:

B) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and six (6) years of experience in the construction, inspection, maintenance and/or operations of sewers or sewerage systems, at least one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity* (see Note 1); or:

C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Must possess a Valid Class B or Class A Commercial Driver’s License issued by New York State at the time of appointment.

Notes:

1.  *Possession of a New York State Class 3 or 4 Wastewater Collections System license will be considered equivalent to six (6) months of supervisory experience.  

2. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the full-time experience requirements.

3. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the New York State Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. A grade of "D" or better is necessary for a course to be credited as successfully completed. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee.

Notice to Candidates:  Transcripts will now be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application.  All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

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. 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.

2. Sanitary and storm sewer systems

These questions test for knowledge of the proper methods, materials and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, repair and cleaning of sewer and storm drainage lines, catch basins and related appurtenances.

3. Sewer system safety and trenching practices

These questions test for knowledge of the proper procedures and safety issues involved in the construction, maintenance and repair of sewer lines and related appurtenances and the materials, techniques and equipment used when excavating and backfilling trenches and repaving affected roadway surfaces.

4. Understanding and interpreting technical information and construction and site plans

These questions test for the ability to read, analyze and perform computations based on written technical presentations and technical drawings related to water and/or sewer line systems. All the information needed to answer the questions will be presented in the written material and/or drawings. 

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES:  It is recommended that candidates use a quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculator.  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.

**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.