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 is one vacancy at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library.

Examples of Duties:

A Computer Operator monitors operation of computers, discs, printers, tape units, work stations, microcomputers, communications equipment and other peripheral equipment for both systems and hardware errors;

operates the control console of the computer and the other elements of the system including the input and output units;

makes prompt and correct responses to all console messages;

observes indicators on console and peripheral equipment and takes necessary steps to assure the proper functioning of the machine throughout individual production runs;

analyzes machine stops and takes appropriate action; reviews all inputs to determine if all data is complete prior to entering jobs to be executed;

performs specialized work in the processing of prints output from a computer via the operation of a burster and decollator machine;

reviews all finished products prior to release to Input/Output distribution;

maintains records necessary for determining maintenance, operating efficiency, shift turnover, assistance calls received and action taken, etc.;

confers with data processing supervisors as to products, procedures, machine time, rate of output and difficulties encountered;

performs prescribed file security procedures;

operates systems related auxiliary or peripheral equipment; performs routine cleaning and maintenance of assigned equipment;

receives, in a computer based information network, incoming problem/question calls, advises users within the scope of own expertise, refers emergency and technical problems/questions outside area of own expertise to appropriate systems/computer specialists or supervisor;

orders emergency service calls from outside vendors to correct any critical hardware breakdown or malfunction;

assuares that operating supplies are available in the department, and that the computer room is adequately supplied to cover assigned shifts. 

Qualifications:

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

A. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and 18 months of experience in the operation of a central processing multi-programming computer system or comparable equipment (i.e. VAX); OR

B. Completion of 60 semester credit hours at a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with specialization in data processing or computer science and one year of data processing experience in the operation of a central processing multi-programming computer system or comparable equipment (i.e. VAX); OR

C. Completion of high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and three years of experience in data processing operations; one year of which involved the operation of a central processing multi-programming computer system or comparable equipment (i.e. VAX); OR

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

Notes:

NOTES:  1. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting the experience requirements. 2. 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.

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. Operation of computer hardware and peripheral equipment

These questions test for technical knowledge and concepts relevant to information technology and the operation of a computer and associated peripheral equipment. Although the questions asked are not specific to any vendor or any model of computer, the questions on storage media and peripheral equipment cover such subjects as characteristics of tape and disk systems as storage media, basic data communications terms, and the operation of peripheral equipment.

2. Reading and interpreting instructions relating to the execution of computer programs

These questions test for skill in following and applying written directions expressed as generalized operator instructions. You will be presented with generalized operating instructions and specific rules for applying them. All the information needed to answer the questions is presented in the test booklet; training on any particular computer system is not required.

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.

**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.