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. At present there is one anticipated vacancy at the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA).

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 Production Technician-ECWA (Erie County Water Authority) plans, coordinates, and requisitions the Production Department equipment necessary for facility operations and maintenance;

Works with the Production Department Crew Chiefs, Engineers and technical staff to specify and procure materials and supplies for operations and maintenance of the production facilities;

Requisitions electrical or mechanical equipment necessary for facility operations and maintenance;

Prepares specifications for procurement of electrical, mechanical equipment and treatment plant chemicals;

Assists in the inspection of operating equipment to ensure proper operations;

Compiles and maintains data for decision making on materials and supplies required for efficient water systems operation;

Coordinates projects, vendors and suppliers with operating units in the Production Department;

Creates and maintains project files;

Assists the Production Department with contract administration;

Prepares reports, quotations and requests for proposals;

Prepares contract documents for new projects;

Monitors contractor activities and prepares payment statements;

Assists in developing the Production Department’s annual budget.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet 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 technical school with an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical or Civil Engineering and two (2) years experience in the operation of a Water Treatment Facility as a New York State Certified Class II A Operator; or:

B) Graduation from high school or vocation school, or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and four (4) years experience in the operation of Water Treatment Facility as a New York State Certified Class II A Operator; or:

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possession of a valid New York State Class D Driver's License; and
Possession of a valid New York State Class II A Water Treatment Plant Operator License.

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. 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. Operation and maintenance of pumps, valves, and related mechanical and electrical equipment

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and procedures involved in the operation, maintenance, and repair of pumps, valves, and related mechanical and electrical equipment, including motors and electric circuitry; and for the ability to identify various types of pumps, valves, and related equipment and understand their functions.

3. Physics, chemistry, and bacteriology as related to water treatment and purification, including laboratory and field tests

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices of water treatment, purification, sampling, and testing, including such areas as the principles of physics, chemistry, and bacteriology involved; terminology associated with water treatment and testing; objectives and principles of various water treatment and testing procedures; measurement, sampling, and preservation of water samples; interpreting test results; and the effects of variables on water treatment processes.

4. Practices and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a Type A water treatment plant

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices associated with the operation and maintenance of Type A water treatment plants, including such areas as objectives and purposes of plant processes and equipment; terminology associated with Type A water treatment plants; conditions and situations encountered in Type A water treatment plants, including safety concerns; water disinfection and dosing; and equipment and materials used in Type A water treatment plants. Some questions may involve basic arithmetic calculations.

5. Pumping operations and related arithmetic computations

These questions test for knowledge of pumping operations, including such areas as terminology and basic principles associated with pumps and pumping operations; instruments and equipment used in pumping operations, including various types of pumps and their components; troubleshooting pumping problems and developing solutions; pump and pumping station inspection and maintenance; and the ability to perform arithmetic calculations associated with pumping and hydraulic operations.

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.