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 vacancies at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library  (at the Central Library location.) The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill future vacancies in this title and any other title deemed appropriate by the Erie Count Personnel Commissioner. 

Examples of Duties:

A Development and Communications Clerk performs a variety of support and
contact duties under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Director or Development Manager of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library System;
Supports the preparation and distribution of annual direct mail solicitations, fundraising campaigns, and special events, etc.; prepare mailing lists, collect and process online, credit card and check donations; prepare acknowledgement responses; Utilizes fundraising software to track, record and acknowledge donations received;
Supports Development and Communications Office by receiving and directing calls, emails, social media postings, contest entries, surveys and other communications from patrons, donors, media, elected officials or aides, etc.;
Maintains online schedule for Library meeting space; Acts as contact person for internal, partner and community organizations; Trains staff and partners on room reservation procedures; Prepares and distribute weekly schedule of room reservations; Prepares billing for room reservations and coordinate payment with the Business office;
Proofreads and edits communications sent by ADD and Development Manager, including press releases, staff and trustee email correspondence, letters, grant applications, surveys, etc.;
Aid in updating Library's social media accounts;
Assist in data gathering for monthly and other reports of activities; Provide monthly fundraising status reports;
Assist in organization and set up of fund raising programs, working with the Library Foundation and other foundations, staff, Board and volunteers; May supervise event volunteers;
Fulfill requests for donations from not-for-profit organizations;
Maintain inventory of materials donated to Library;
Take minutes during department meetings; maintain department files; order department supplies; review and submit department payroll;
Performs other related work and undertakes special projects as assigned. 

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 college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Business, or related field; and one  year of clerical experience; OR

B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate's Degree in Communications, Business, or related field; and three years of clerical experience; OR

C) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five years of clerical experience involving public relations, fundraising, development, special event planning or other fundraising-related field in a public, private or non-profit setting.

Notes:

NOTES:  1.Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time 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. Clerical operations with letters and numbers

These questions test for skills and abilities in clerical operations involving alphabetizing, comparing, checking and counting. The questions require you to follow the specific directions given for each question which may involve alphabetizing, comparing, checking and counting given groups of letters and/or numbers.

2. Name and number checking

These questions test for the ability to distinguish between sets of words, letters, and/or numbers that are almost exactly alike. Material is usually presented in two or three columns, and you will have to determine how the entry in the first column compares with the entry in the second column and possibly the third. You will be instructed to mark your answers according to a designated code provided in the directions.

3. Office record keeping

These questions test your ability to perform common office record keeping tasks. The test consists of two or more "sets" of questions, each set concerning a different problem. Typical record keeping problems might involve the organization or collation of data from several sources; scheduling; maintaining a record system using running balances; or completion of a table summarizing data using totals, subtotals, averages and percents. You should bring with you a hand-held battery- or solar-powered calculator for use on this test. You will not be permitted to use the calculator function of your cell phone.

4. Public contact principles and practices

These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact with other people, to gather and present information, and to provide assistance, advice, and effective customer service in a courteous and professional manner. Questions will cover such topics as understanding and responding to people with diverse needs, perspectives, personalities, and levels of familiarity with agency operations, as well as acting in a way that both serves the public and reflects well on your agency.

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.