RE-TEST PHYSICAL FITNESS POLICY: Candidates who are successful in the written test but fail the qualifying physical fitness test will be given a second opportunity after six months from the date of their original physical fitness testing to qualify on the agility portion at their written request. Any candidate requesting a retest will be tested at the next scheduled agility as determined by the Middletown Civil Service Commission.
MEDICAL SCREENING TEST: Candidates who pass the qualifying physical fitness test and who are given a conditional offer of employment will be scheduled to take the required medical examination. Candidates who fail or do not appear for the medical portion of the examination when scheduled will be eliminated from further testing and consideration for purposes of this competition. The medical requirements will be supplied to candidates who have been successful in the written and physical fitness portions, upon request. A drug-screening test will be conducted as a part of this pre-employment medical screening process.
WAIVER OF THE MEDICAL SCREENING TESTS: An MPTC mandated Medical Screening Test administered by the City of Middletown Civil Service Commission in conjunction with this examination will be valid for the life of the resulting eligible list, and may be utilized in conjunction with other Police Entrance Series examinations conducted by the City of Middletown Civil Service in conjunction with a prior examination, or administered by another municipal civil service agency, may be valid for a period of up to one (1) year from the screening test’s date of administration. Accordingly, candidates should inquire of the City of Middletown Civil Service Commission as to the potential for waiver of the Medical Screening Test based on previous testing.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING: At the appointing authority’s discretion, candidates will be subject to psychological testing.
CHARACTER AND BACKGROUND: Each potential appointee may be the subject of a thorough background investigation to help determine character and fitness, and also to verity information provided by the applicant. Conviction of a felony will bar an applicant from examination and/or appointment. Conviction of a misdemeanor or other offense may bar participating in examination and appointment.
Applicants may be called upon to authorize access to educational, financial, employment, criminal history, and mental health records. Family members, neighbors, associates, and others may be interviewed. Derogatory information will be evaluated and may result in disqualification. Candidates who receive a satisfactory evaluation on the background investigation and meet all other administrative requirements will be considered eligible for appointment.
MANDATED TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: Successful completion of the Municipal Police Training Council’s Basic Police Officer Training Course is required for the appointment of a Police Officer to become permanent, as required by Section 209-q of the General Municipal Law.
MILITARY PERSONNEL: Section 243-b of Military Law provides that any member of the armed forces of the United States who has duly filed an application to compete in a scheduled competitive examination, but was deprived of the opportunity to compete in the examination due to active military duty, be provided with a special military makeup examination. Section 243-c of the Military Law provides that individuals on active duty or individuals discharged from the armed forces after the filing period for an examination has begun are permitted to file an application no later than the close of business on April 29, 2008.
VETERAN’S CREDIT: Veterans or disabled veterans who are eligible for additional credit must submit an application for veteran’s credit with their application for examination or at any time between the dates of their application for examination and the date of the establishment of the resulting eligible list. Applications for veteran’s credit are available form this office. Veteran’s credits can only be added to a passing score on the examination.
Effective January 1, 1998, the State Constitution was amended to permit a candidate currently in the armed forces to apply for and be conditionally granted veteran’s credit in examinations. Any candidate who applies for such credit must provide proof of military status to receive the conditional credit. No credit may be granted after the establishment of the list. It is the responsibility of the candidate to provide appropriate documentary proof indicating that the service was in time of war, as defined in Section 85 of Civil Service Law, and that the candidate received an honorable discharge or was released under honorable conditions in order to be certified at a score including veteran’s credits.
WRITTEN TEST: The written test will be designed to test for knowledge, skills and/or abilities in such areas as:
1. Applying written information (rules, regulations, policies, procedures, directives, etc.) in police situations.
These questions test for the ability to apply written rules in given situations similar to those typically experienced by police officers.
2. Memory for facts and information
These questions tests for the ability to remember facts and information presented in written form. You will be given 5 minutes to read and study the information the Memory Booklet. After the 5-minuted period, the Memory Booklet will be taken away. You will then be required to answer questions about the material that was presented in the Memory Booklet.
3. Reading, understanding and interpreting written information
These questions test for the ability to read, understand, and interpret the kinds of written information that police officers are required to read during their formal training period and on the job.
4. Preparing written material in a police setting.
These questions test for the ability to prepare the types of reports that police officers write. You will be presented with a page of notes followed by several questions. Each question will consist of four restatements of the information given in the notes. From each set of four, you must choose the version that presents the information most clearly and accurately.
The rating key for this written test will be established by the New York State Civil Service Commission prior to the date of the test, upon recommendation of a committee of police experts who will review all the questions for appropriateness and the key answers for correctness. There will be no review of the questions by candidates. This committee was selected with the assistance and endorsement of the Police Conference of New York, Inc., the New York State Association of PBA’s, Inc., and the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc.
The New York State Department of Civil Service has published a Test Guide intended for candidate preparation use for this particular examination. This Test Guide contains important test-related information as well as sample questions similar to the questions that will be used in this written test.
USE OF CALCULATORS IS PROHIBITED FOR THIS EXAMINATION
SABBATH OBSERVERS/DISABLED CANDIDATES/MILITARY MEMBERS: Applicants whose religious beliefs or military service prevent their taking examinations on the scheduled date and disabled candidates who require special accommodations to take the test should indicate the need for special arrangements on the application.
NOTICE TO CANDIDATES: Your application for this test is part of the examination process. Applications must be completely filled out, with all pertinent information stated. The Civil Service Commission does not refer to other applications on file for additional information. Applications which do not show training and/or experience to meet minimum qualifications will be disapproved.
All candidates are required to bring photo identification or employer badge. If you do not have a photo ID, you must provide two documents showing your signature.
APPLICATION FEE WAIVER: A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household. In addition, a waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are determined eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income payments, or Public Assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Family Assistance or Safety Net Assistance) or are certified Job Training Partnership Act/Workforce Investment Act eligible through a State or local social service agency. All claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification. If you can verify eligibility for application fee waiver, complete a “Request for Application Fee Waiver and Certification” form and submit it with your application by the close of business on the Application Deadline as listed on the Examination Announcement.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Joseph G. Masi, Civil Service Executive Administrator
Date of Issue: February 4, 2010
GENERAL INFORMATION
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
When the examination is prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service in accordance with Section 23.2 of the Civil Service Law, the administration of this examination, including rating and review, is governed by the provisions of the New York State Civil Service Law, Rules and Regulations. The passing grade for this examination is 70.
APPLICATIONS: Applications and announcements are available at www.middletown-ny.com
HOW TO APPLY: The application is part of the testing process: it must be completely filled out, with all pertinent information provided, or disapproval may result. The Civil Service Office does not acknowledge receipt of applications and does not accept responsibility for non-delivery or postal delay. The CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION DOES NOT REFER TO OTHER APPLICATIONS OR DOCUMENTATION ON FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Applications which do not show training and/or experience to meet minimum qualifications will be disapproved. False or deliberately exaggerated statements may result in disqualification. Do not submit a resume in lieu of an application. Ambiguity and vagueness will not be resolved in your favor. If your application is disapproved, you will be so notified and given an opportunity to submit qualifying information. Failure to furnish such information or other requested information within the time frame specified may be cause for disapproval.
APPLICATION PROCESSING FEE: An application fee as specified on the front of this announcement must accompany your application. Send a money order, payable to the MIDDLETOWN CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. Do not send cash or personal check. As application fees are not refundable,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.
MULTIPLE EXAMINATIONS: If you have applied for another Civil Service examination with New York State or other local government jurisdiction scheduled for the same date as this exam, it is your responsibility to notify all civil service agencies involved of the dual candidacy. Provide each jurisdiction with a list of all jurisdictions where you have made an application; indicate by each jurisdiction, the number and title of its examination for which you have applied and note your preference of examination center. You must make arrangements to take all exams at one test site as soon as possible, in any event no later than two weeks before the exam date. The maximum time allowed for any combination of exams is eight hours.
SPECIAL REQUEST FOR MAKE-UP EXAM DUE TO ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY: A make-up test will be available for written, physical agility or any medical exams necessary to be placed on an eligible list for persons who are in the active military. A person eligible for a military make-up test does not have to wait until discharge from active duty to take the test. Applicant must submit to this office a copy of military order, DD 214, or other official military document that substantiates active military service PRIOR to the make-up test.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS/SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS/ALTERNATE TEST DATES/MILITARY PERSONNEL: If you require reasonable accommodations as a disabled person, or special testing arrangements as a Saturday Sabbath observer, alternate test date candidate (in accordance with Alternate Test Date Policy), or an active member of the military away from the area on the scheduled test date, clearly indicate this fact on the application. All such requests must be supported by appropriate documentation.
VERIFICATION OF QUALIFICATIONS: In reviewing applications, where a year or more of experience is minimally required, a tolerance of one month is allowed in meeting said experiential requirements. Full-time experience is based upon a thirty (30) hour work week. Part-time experience is pro-rated. Unpaid, verifiable volunteer experience may be substituted for an equivalent amount of the required experience unless the minimum qualifications state otherwise. To be credited as experience of the type specified in the qualifications, the major function and primary emphasis of the duties performed must be of that type. Duties incidental to a person’s job may not be credited. The Middletown Civil Service Commission may refuse to examine an applicant or, after examination, to include a candidate on the eligible list, or may remove or restrict from the eligible list an applicant who is found to lack any of the established requirements for admission to the exam or for appointment from the resultant eligible list, or who has falsified or misrepresented any information submitted in the application.
CREDENTIALS: Photocopies of necessary licenses, certificates, etc. must be submitted to this office prior to the establishment of eligible list, whenever possession of such credentials is required. A photocopy of a degree is acceptable as proof of college education. When a degree has not been earned, or a photocopied diploma cannot be produced, or when a specific major or courses are required, verifiable transcripts are acceptable. Thirty (30) credit hours equal one year of college in evaluating a candidate’s qualification.
ADMISSION TO EXAM: Accepted candidates will be notified by letter approximately one week prior to the exam date when and where to appear for the exam. You should call this office if you do not receive a notice three days prior to the exam. You may not be admitted to the exam room without official notice, or more than one half hour after the exam has begun. Unless otherwise notified, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand-held, solar or battery operated calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards such as computers, spell checkers, personal digital assistants, address books, language translators, dictionaries, or any similar devices are prohibited.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT IN SCHOOL DISTRICT: Per Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000 and by the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, to be employed in a position by a school district or BOCES involving direct contact with students, a clearance for employment from the State Education is required.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be required to undergo extensive investigation of criminal history and background, which will include a fingerprint check, to determine suitability for appointment. Costs related to such investigation may be borne by the applicant. Failure to meet the standards of investigation may result in disqualification.
ELIGIBLE LIST: Eligible lists will be established on the basis of passing grades received by the candidates in the competitive portions of the examination. Medical, physical and other appropriate non-competitive qualifying tests may be conducted as the need for certification from the eligible list may require. The resulting eligible list will be used to fill appropriate vacancies as they occur in the agencies listed on the front of this announcement. Lists resulting from promotional exams are certified first.
VETERANS: Non-disabled and disabled war veterans who are eligible for additional credits added to an earned passing score must SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR VETERAN’S CREDITS WITH EACH APPLICATION FILED. IF A CANDIDATE WISHES TO CLAIM VETERAN’S CREDITS, HE/SHE SHOULD REQUEST AN APPLICATION FOR VETERAN’S CREDITS FROM THE MIDDLETOWN CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. IT IS THE CANDIDATE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION, DOCUMENTATION AND PROOF OF WAR SERVICE (DD 214 FORM) IN ORDER TO RECEIVE VETERAN’S CREDITS. ALL COMPLETED FORMS, APPLICATIONS FOR VETERAN’S CREDITS AND YOUR DD 214 FORM MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ELIGIBLE LIST. If you claim credits as a disabled war veteran, you must be certified by the Veteran’s Administration as being entitled to receive payments for service-connected disability rate at ten (10) percent or more, incurred during a “Time of War.”
Effective January 1, 1998, the State Constitution was amended to permit a candidate currently in the armed forces to apply for and be conditionally granted veteran’s credit in examinations. Any candidate who applies for such credit must provide proof of military status to receive the conditional credit. NO CREDIT MAY BE GRANTED AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LIST. It is the responsibility of the candidate to provide appropriate documentary proof indicating that the service was in time of war as defined in Section 85 of the Civil Service Law, and that the candidate received an honorable discharge or was released under honorable conditions in order to be certified at a score including the veteran’s credit.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS: It is the candidate’s responsibility to notify this office of any change of name and/or address. Please include the examination number on all correspondence.
ADDITIONAL CREDITS FOR CHILDREN OF FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY: In conformance with Section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: Federal and State law prohibits any discrimination in employment and promotion because of race, color, sex, national origin, marital status, religion, age, disability, arrest record or Vietnam era veteran status.
WARNING: Anyone found unlawfully possessing or disclosing questions or answers from civil service exams, or giving or taking test information from another candidate during the exam, or anyone found taking a civil service exam for someone else or enlisting another person to take an exam for another, will be subject to being disqualified from that exam and may be barred from taking any further exams with the Middletown Civil Service Commission and may be subject to other penalties as prescribed by law.
For further information:
Middletown Civil Service Commission
City Hall, 16 James Street
Middletown, NY 10940
www.middletown-ny.com
