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 in the Erie County Real Property Tax Services.

Examples of Duties:

A Tax Map Technician is responsible for accurately plotting and mapping original and changes in property lines on a tax map;

Maintains and updates plots and tax map changes using automated and digital data using computer aided drafting (CAD) software;

Maintains computer files for parcel ownership and geographic information updates;

Generates new and upscaled maps from survey data;

Computes acreage involved in each change for information of assessors;

checks and searches property records and tax maps to correctly identify parcels or portions intended for transfer of title;

Locates parcel information such as geographic location and property lines for abstractors, assessors, attorneys, realtors and others;

Interprets descriptions of conveyance shown on maps for information of assessors and property owners;

Performs file checks to assist with the solution of mapping problems;

Confirms identity of property described on tax rolls and other records as assessed prior to adoption of tax map. 

Qualifications:

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

A.  Completion of 60 semester credit hours of study at a regionally accredited or New York State registered two or four year college or university with a major in civil engineering, civil technology, architecture, architectural technology, drafting, computer aided drafting (CAD), industrial arts or closely related field; or:

B.  Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and one year of experience in real estate, surveying, drafting or sub-professional civil engineering work or C.A.D. drafting; 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 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 theUnited 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. 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.

2. Computer-assisted mapping, including basic geographic information system (GIS) applications

These questions test for knowledge of the basic concepts, terminology, and proper procedures to use when creating and revising various types of maps and site plans utilizing GIS and computerized mapping software.

3. 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.

4. Understanding and interpreting written material

These questions test for the ability to understand and interpret written material. You will be presented with brief reading passages and will be asked questions about the passages. You should base your answers to the questions only on what is presented in the passages and not on what you may happen to know about the topic.

5. Understanding and interpreting charts, graphs, maps and tabular material

These questions test for the ability to read and analyze visual and numerical information presented in maps, plans, and various types of graphic and tabular material, and to perform related basic computations. All the information needed to answer the questions will be provided in the maps, plans, charts, graphs, tables, or related written material.    

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.