Michael Foley Colonie Town Hall
Introduction to the Department The Town of Colonie Civil Service Department is responsible for the administration, recruitment, selection, and examination of prospective Town employees as well as classification of positions in the Town. The Personnel Officer is responsible for assuring compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations governing the selection and or promotion of employees. The Town of Colonie Civil Service Department was created in 1975. It is dedicated to meeting the staffing needs of the Town while assuring integrity and fairness in the process. The Process The Town Civil Service Department is pleased to provide information about Town positions via the Web. Now applicants can obtain a Town Application for Employment not only at the Civil Service Office at Memorial Town Hall but may also may print a form off the web. Recruitment for certain Town positions is ongoing or continuous. Descriptions of these positions are available for download by clicking on the names of the positions. Other positions are announced as the need arises. Descriptions of these positions will be posted when examinations for them are scheduled. . A single form is used for applying for all Town positions. You may download this form, fill it out, sign it, and return it to the Civil Service Office.
For a more detailed description of examination instructions and information applicants can download the form "General Information".
Announced Dates: Immediate Openings: Continuous Recruitment You can click on the titles below to download descriptions of positions. Continuously recruited positions are so noted.
Guide To Taking the Written Test for Entry-Level Clerical Series Water/Sewage Treatment Plant Operator (Trainee), Grade 15 Guide to Taking the Written Test for Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator/Trainee Series
"Orientation Guide - Town of Colonie EMS Department - PAT Physical Ability Test"  Frequently Asked Questions
Civil Service can sometimes be confusing. The following definition of "Terms" may help answer many questions since they are specific to civil service. What do we mean by Budget Authorization? The process where monies for a position is approved by the Town. There is usually an effective date. What do we mean by a Class of Position? There are positions that are sufficiently similar with respect to duties and responsibilities such that the same title may be used for all the positions. All positions in a class have the same grade and require the same qualifications. The same examination is also used for all positions in a class. What does it mean to classify positions? To analyze positions as to their duties and responsibilities and to assign the position to a class. This is always done for new positions. What is a classification questionnaire? This is a form filled out by a current employee regarding their position. It includes the typical tasks performed in the position and the percentage of time spent on each type of task. It is reviewed by the employee's immediate supervisor and used by the Personnel Officer in classification decisions. What is a desk audit? A desk audit is a review of the duties and responsibilities made at an employees desk or station. It is generally used to help in classifying a position. What is a duties statement? A duties statement is filled out when a vacancy or new position exists. It describes the scope of the position and is used as part of the classification process. What is an examination? This is the formal selection process which includes minimum qualifications, assessment measures, employment interviews and probationary periods. It is used to evaluate the qualifications and suitability of candidates for employment with the Town. Many examinations are competitive and are used to rank candidates against each other. There are also noncompetitive examinations that assess a candidates training and experience against established minimum qualifications. This is a written summary of the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of an individual job. What are minimum qualifications? Minimum qualifications are the lowest level of education and experience requirements that all candidates for a position must have in order to qualify for an examination. These qualifications are established by the Personnel Officer. What is a new position? A new position is one established by the Town Board as opposed to an existing position for which there may be a vacancy. What is out of title work? Any duties performed by an employee which are not appropriate for the class to which the position has been assigned. Such positions are also described in Section 61.2 of the New York State Civil Service Law. What is a position? A position includes an assigned group of duties and responsibilities that can be performed by one person. It is commonly known as a job. Positions may be occupied or vacant. What is a promotion? Generally, in the competitive class, an appointment from a lower grade to a higher grade. Promotions can only occur between similar classes of positions, such as from a Clerk to a Senior Clerk. Sections 52 and 61 of the New York State Civil Service Law covers this. What is a promotional examination? A promotional exam is an exam for a higher level position and is only open to permanent employees who have served in qualifying titles for a specified minimum length of time. What is a provisional appointment (promotion)? A provisional appointment is a non-permanent position and may only be made when there is no appropriate or viable eligible list of candidates. Section 65 of Civil Service law contains limitations on provisional appointments. What does it mean to reclassify a position? This means to change the title of a given position based on a change in duties. Permanent incumbents of the former title do not automatically become permanent in the reclassified position; instead, they must qualify for such a position by examination. What is a title? The term "title" is used to designate an official class and describes the type of work that is performed. What is a vacancy? A vacancy is a position which has no permanent incumbent, commonly referred to as being "open."
Related Web Sites Learn-A-Test (you will need a valid Upper Hudson Library card to access this test) New York State Department of Civil Service Albany County Department of Civil Service Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Phone: Email: Note: Employment Application and Position Announcements are in Adobe
Last updated 4/18/08 URL:http://www.colonie.org/civil service |
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Applications can then be filled out and brought to or mailed to the Town Civil Service Office.
