Residence Requirements:

THIS EXAMINATION IS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST.  There are two vacancies at the Town of Amherst (annual salary is $44,133 - $61,120.) *Salaries vary among municipalities and districts.

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 Youth Center Director directing activities and programs in municipal youth centers and outreach locations;

Provides overall leadership to youth center programs, main streaming activities, summer camps, recess camps, child care programs,

special interest programs and outreach programs;

Provides direct supervision to youth program staff;

Evaluates staff performance and initiates action to improve staff performance;

Determines need for and develops staff training opportunities for all program staff;

Recruits, trains and places volunteers to assist in running youth center programs;

Provides leadership to full time program staff in the development and implementation of programs designed to address current

problems;

Development and implementation of programs to serve youth in under served areas of municipality;

Develops and implements a regular building and grounds equipment check list to ensure the safety of participants and staff;

Works with school district staff and other municipal departments to implement programs to better serve area youth;

Prepares annual program budget and proposal as well as provide budget oversight throughout the year;

Implements program evaluation and monitoring procedures throughout the year;

Maintains necessary records and prepares reports as directed;

Participates in supervision, meetings and training as required;

Meets with parents and advisory committee members as needed;

Does other work as directed by the Assistant Executive Director, or Executive Director.

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 aYouth Services position: Youth Service Program Coordinator/ Recreation Supervisor.

Notes:

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. Administering and Coordinating Youth Programs

These questions test for knowledge of youth-related programs and the principles, practices, and techniques used to administer and coordinate youth programs. Questions may cover such topics as planning, monitoring, evaluating, and managing youth education and recreation programs.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Working with youth

These questions test for knowledge and understanding needed to work with youth and their problems. Questions may cover such topics as: normal and abnormal adolescent behavior and development; youth perspectives and points of view; environmental factors and effects; establishing rapport with youth.

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.