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 Erie County Department of Social Services.  

Examples of Duties:

A Staff Development Coordinator plans and coordinates a comprehensive training program for employees of the Department of Social Services; 
Conduct effective needs assessments for various program areas across entire department
Develops curriculum based on needs assessments and the unique needs of each program area
Design and deliver effective trainings designed utilizing proven adult learning techniques and curriculum based on knowledge gained through needs assessments and Program area experts as appropriate
Evaluates the impact of training based on the desired outcomes identified for each training, and is able to measure and report impact of training
Uses creative marketing techniques to ensure workforce is aware of benefits of training and uses effective strategies to maximize attendance of target audience
Prepares and conducts in-service training programs for all staff, including a formal orientation program for all newly appointed staff;
Facilitates and oversees contracted training delivered by educational institutions;
Organizes and gives guidance to staff committees which participate in the development of training programs;
Advises staff who are enrolled in educational programs; may supervise field placements;
Facilitates and oversees contracted training delivered by educational institutions;
Maintains records of training plans, curriculum and other projects;
Prepares and submits reports as directed by the Staff Development Director. 

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 Master's Degree in Human Resources, Social Work, Education or related field and two years of staff training experience; or:

B.) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered four year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Social Work, Education or related field and four years of staff training experience; or:

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

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. Ensuring effective inter/intra agency communications

These questions test for understanding of techniques for interacting effectively with individuals and agencies, to educate and inform them about topics of concern, to clarify agency programs or policies, to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and to represent one's agency or program in a manner in keeping with good public relations practices. Questions may also cover interacting with the staff of one's own agency and/or that of other agencies in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service.

2. Management of staff development and training programs

These questions test for the knowledge and abilities used to manage staff development and training programs. They address issues such as guiding and assessing the design, development, and implementation of training courses; selecting, supervising, and evaluating trainers and/or vendors; assessing the outcomes of training courses and programs; and understanding and optimizing the relationship between the staff development and training program and the organization as a whole.

3. 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.

4. Principles and practices of staff development and training

These questions test for the knowledge and abilities used to develop and deliver training. They address topics such as the assessment of training needs; instructional design; training methods and techniques; the use of training aids, materials, and technology; motivation; learning theory; classroom management; the evaluation of learning outcomes; and the usage of training-related data. 

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.