EXPANDED SCOPE
FOR
EMERGENCY COMPLAINT OPERATOR OC 1,2,3,4,5
EMERGENCY COMPLAINT OPERATOR (SPANISH
SPEAKING) OC 1,2,3,4,5
EMERGENCY SERVICES DISPATCHER I OC 1,2,3,4,5
SENIOR FIRE HOUSE ATTENDANT PR 1,3,6,7,8
1. CODING/DECODING INFORMATION -
These questions test for the ability to follow a set of coding rules. Some
questions will require you to code information by converting certain
information into letters or numbers. Other questions will require you to decode
information by determining if the information that has
already been converted into letters or numbers is correct. Complete
directions will be provided; no previous knowledge of or training in any coding
system is required.
2. NAME AND NUMBER CHECKING - These
questions test for the ability to distinguish between sets of words, letters,
and/or numbers that are almost exactly alike. Material is
usually presented in two or three columns, and you will have to
determine how the entry in the first column compares with the entry in the
second column and possibly the third. You will be instructed
to mark your answers according to a designated code provided in the directions.
3. 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.
4. FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS (MAPS) -
These questions test your ability to follow physical/geographic directions
using street maps or building maps. You will have to read and understand a set
of directions and then use them on a simple map.
5. RETAINING AND COMPREHENDING SPOKEN
INFORMATION FROM CALLS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES - These questions test
for your ability to retain specific information that is heard
in calls for emergency service, such as a street address, or to comprehend
spoken information from emergency service calls, such as determining the
location of a site in relation to landmarks. Simulated 911 calls will be played on audio CD. Immediately following each call,
candidates are given audio instructions identifying
which questions they are to answer within the test booklet. The questions that
candidates are directed to answer for each simulated call will not be in
sequential order. Candidates will need to retain and comprehend the information
and instruction provided in this portion of the test to respond appropriately
to the questions asked and to determine which questions to answer. The time
allotted to answer these questions will be limited. At the end of each answer
period, the CD will automatically play the next call. Note
paper will be provided. Candidates will be permitted
to take notes and to refer to them when answering the questions.
6. WORK PLANNING AND SCHEDULING -
These questions test for knowledge of the principles used in developing and
implementing work plans and for the ability to arrange work assignments in a
manner that will achieve work goals while staying within scheduling criteria.
This may include setting up vacation or work schedules, taking into
consideration such factors as seniority, work skills, duty hours, and shift
coverage.
7. RADIO OPERATIONS AND DISPATCHING
PROCEDURES - These questions test for knowledge of two-way radio
systems and operations, and may cover dispatching procedures when appropriate.
8. SUPERVISION AND TRAINING - These
questions test for the knowledge required by a supervisor to set goals, plan
and organize work, train workers in how to do their jobs, and direct workers
towards meeting established goals. The supervisory questions cover such areas as
assigning and reviewing work, evaluating performance, maintaining work quality,
motivating employees, increasing efficiency, and dealing with problems that may
arise on the job. The training questions cover such areas as determining the
necessity for training, selecting appropriate training methods, and evaluating
the effectiveness of training.
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 'General Guide to Written Tests'
helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.
USE OF CALCULATORS
IS ALLOWED