EXPANDED SCOPE
FOR
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING SPECIALIST OC 1,2,3,4
PLANNER
OC & PR 2,4,5,6,7
SENIOR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING SPECIALIST OC 1,2,3,4
SENIOR
PLANNER OC & PR 2,4,5,6,7
TOWN
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATOR OC 5,6,7,9,10,11
TOWN
PLANNING DIRECTOR OC & PR 5,8,9,10,11,12
1. 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.
2. SOCIOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, DESIGN AND
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INVOLVED IN LAND USE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT-These questions test for knowledge of the fundamental
concepts, design issues, terminology and practices utilized in the land use
planning field, including how to best benefit the social, economic and
environmental welfare of a community using appropriate planning principles.
3. PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF URBAN PLANNING-These questions
test for knowledge of the concepts and accepted practices involved in the land
use planning and analysis of heavily-populated areas, and may include questions
involving such areas as commercial and industrial development and
redevelopment, transportation services, parking issues, zoning, landscaping,
historic preservation and municipal revitalization.
4. UNDERSTANDING AND INTERPRETING MAPS,
CHARTS AND GRAPHS-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.
5. 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.
6. COLLECTION, ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF
DATA, INCLUDING BASIC STATISTICS-These questions test for knowledge of the
proper procedures and methods used to gather, evaluate, organize, and utilize
various types of technical data and information, and the fundamental concepts,
terminology, and computations involved in statistical analysis.
7. 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.
8. COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL LAND USE PLANNING,
INCLUDING ZONING AND SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS-These questions
test for knowledge of the concepts and accepted practices involved in community
and large-area development planning, the laws and regulations governing site
and subdivision planning, and typical project development and zoning issues,
including related legal terminology
9. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PLANNING,
INCLUDING RELATED FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS AND PROGRAMS-These questions
test for a comprehensive knowledge of the municipal and regional planning
process, and familiarity with the various federal and New York State programs
related to community development and the legislative regulations that authorize
and fund them.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISION-These questions
test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the
activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors.
Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor
and their subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives.
These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the
activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development
programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and
maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.
11. ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNIQUES AND PRACTICES-These questions
test for a knowledge of management techniques and practices used in directing
or assisting in directing a program component or an organizational segment.
Questions cover such areas as interpreting policies, making decisions based on
the context of the position in the organization, coordinating programs or
projects, communicating with employees or the public, planning employee
training, and researching and evaluating areas of concern.
12. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS AND ISSUES
AFFECTING THE PHYSICAL PLANNING PROCESS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS-These questions
test for knowledge of the various environmental concepts and the federal and
New York State regulations governing air, land, water quality and other
environmental issues related to the physical planning process, including impact
statements.
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 RECOMMENDED