FILING FOR SECRETARIAL POSITIONS EXTENDED

Start at $23G; Must Pass Jan. Written Exam; H.S. Diploma, Typing Skills Needed For Both Positions

In an effort to attract more candidates, filing last week was extended until Nov. 7 for exams leading to hundreds of Secretary and Clerical Associate jobs, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services said.

DCAS has received 4,829 applications for the Clerical Associate exam, said department spokesman Mark Daly.

The starting salary for both positions is $22,983. The written exams are scheduled for Jan. 5, 2008. There is also a $30 filing fee to apply for each exam.

Job Criteria

For Clerical Associate, by the last day of filing candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and one year of full-time satisfactory clerical experience. Candidates are responsible for determining whether they meet the qualification requirements and may be given the test before DCAS verifies their credentials.

They perform clerical work with records, files, invoices and reports using alphabetical and numerical procedures. That includes data/control-coding, basic mathematical calculations and answering phones.

Separate filing is also now open for Clerical Associate and Secretary positions available at the Health and Hospital Corporation. Interested persons must submit separate applications for those jobs.

For Secretary and Clerical Associate, the multiple-choice exam will test candidates' abilities in English-language usage, reading comprehension, number facility and alphabetical and numerical filing. The test will also gauge their skills in clerical accuracy, including proofreading and matching as well as standards of proper ethical conduct. The passing score is 70 percent.

Typing Test

Candidates will also be given a qualifying practical typing test. They must be able to type accurately on a computer at a minimum speed of 100 keystrokes (20 words) per minute after errors are deducted.

Individuals who speak a foreign language may be selectively certified and given preferred consideration for positions requiring that skill.

To qualify for Secretary, individuals must have a high school diploma or GED. Secretaries perform typing work, schedule appointments and do other general office work such as responding to routine phone calls.

The multiple-choice exam is similar to the Clerical Associate test. The practical typing exam, however, differs in that Secretary candidates must be able to type at a minimum speed of 35 words per minutes after errors are deducted.

Further information and copies of the exam notices can be obtained by calling 212-669-1357, or on-line at www.nyc.gov/dcas.