Residence Requirements:

THIS EXAMINATION IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST. At present there is one anticipated vacancy at the Town of Amherst.

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:

An Associate Planner performs higher level research and analysis connected with planning projects; 

Prepares grant applications and oversees the work of consultants preparing major planning studies;

Supervises and prepares planning reports and graphics;

Determines research work needed to meet a variety of planning needs, assigns specific tasks to subordinates, performs complex analyses and prepares evaluations of results;

Represents agency at meetings, presents results of agency's work and provides technical assistance relating to planning and zoning;

Carries out specific administrative functions in the agency office;

Designs and supervises the development and operation of complex data collection programs and monitors results;

Assumes responsibility for complex planning projects, developing these in relation to the agency's overall plans and policies;

Acts as advisor to localities and other agencies in the planning aspects of their programs;

Assists in negotiating technical questions with local, State and Federal agencies;

Assists in the development of planning projects to be conducted by the agency.

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 12 months immediately preceding the date of the written test in the position of Senior Planner. 

Notes:

None.

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: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm

Subjects of Examination:

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

1. Sociological, economic, design and environmental factors involved in land use 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.

2. Community and regional land use 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.

3. Collection, analysis and presentation of data, including basic statistics

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, terminology, and computations involved in statistical analysis.

4. Community development program planning, including related federal and State laws and programs

These questions test for a comprehensive knowledge of the municipal and regional planning process, and familiarity with the various federal and New York State programs related to community development and the legislative regulations that authorize and fund them.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

INFORMATION FOR PROMOTION CANDIDATES

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.