Residence Requirements:

THIS EXAMINATION IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE ERIE COUNTY DIVISION OF SEWERAGE MANAGEMENT.  At present there is one vacancy at the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning -Division of Sewerage Management. 

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 Principal Engineer Assistant  assisting civil/sanitary engineers by compiling data, making surveys and inspections and preparing drawings; 

Prepares drawings, maps, tracings, specifications and other graphic presentations of projects and programs;

Compiles data for survey parties and engineers;

Makes engineering computations, both manually and through the use of a computer;

Searches records for data on properties, easements, rights of way and the like;

Assists in construction project layouts; Makes inspections of projects and programs, reviewing findings with an engineer;

Makes routine tests and compiles data; Represents the engineer on construction projects;

Carries out tests of materials to ensure conformance to specifications;

May be required to perform routine computer operation and programming;

Prepares drawings and maps utilizing a computer.

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 Engineer Assistant plus one of the following:

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other closely related engineering discipline; or:

B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other closely related engineering field, and one (1) year of professional experience in civil, environmental, sanitary, mechanical or related engineering field; or:

C) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered two (2) year college or technical school with an Associate’s degree in civil engineering technology, mechanical technology or construction technology, or completion of two (2) years of study at a regionally accredited or New York State registered four (4) year college or university, in a course leading to a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering and, in addition to either of the above, three (3) years of practical experience in civil, environmental, sanitary, mechanical or related engineering field; or:

D) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five (5) years of practical experience in civil, environmental, sanitary, mechanical or related engineering field; or:

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: If assigned to the Highway Division of the Department of Public Works, must possess a NICET Level II certificate in Highway Construction, Design, Maintenance, or Survey, issued by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies at the time of permanent appointment.

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.

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. Mathematics, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry

These questions test for the ability to read, analyze, and solve technician-level written problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, algebraic equations, geometric concepts and figures, and basic trigonometric functions.

2. Understanding and interpreting engineering plans and descriptive specifications

These questions test for the ability to read and analyze technical drawings and written technical presentations, and to perform related computations. Some technical knowledge of construction and estimating terminology and methods will be required.

3. Land surveying principles and practices, including map interpretation

These questions test for fundamental knowledge of the concepts, computations, and proper procedures involved in performing surveys for construction projects and land areas, including the use of theodolites, total stations, automatic levels, and other contemporary field survey equipment; and for the ability to read, analyze, and perform technical computations based on topographic and survey maps and site plans.

4. Principles and knowledge related to computer-assisted drafting (CAD) technology

These questions test for knowledge of the basic concepts, terminology, and proper procedures to use when creating technical drawings utilizing computerized drafting software.

5. Principles and practices of civil engineering and technology

These questions test for knowledge of technological and engineering concepts and their practical applications related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of public works projects, including roadways, bridges, buildings, water and sewage systems, and similar types of infrastructure.

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:  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.

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.