PROBATION OFFICER JOB FILING WILL OPEN FEB. 6

$36G Starting Salary; Written Exam May 17; Candidates Must Have A College Degree To Apply

Filing for an exam leading to Probation Officer jobs is set to open Feb. 6, the city's testing department said.

The starting salary is $35,809. The multiple-choice test is scheduled for May 17. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 26.

Education Criteria

Based on the prior exam notice, by the last day of filing candidates must have a graduate degree in social work, education, law, sociology, psychology, criminology, or rehabilitation counseling.

According to the test announcement, individuals can also apply with a bachelor's degree and two years of full-time work-related experience in casework or counseling in a similar recognized setting. All candidates must have at least a bachelor's degree. Various combinations of experience and education are also considered qualifying; applicants should consult the exam notice for a complete list.

To qualify for acceptable casework and counseling experience, at least 60 percent of applicants' time must involve therapeutic interaction used to modify behavior.

The work experience must also include at least one of the following areas: intake and developing and recording a psycho-social history, conducting an evaluative analysis or assessment, providing counseling or supportive supervision, developing and implementing a treatment plan, or providing referral and follow-up services. The experience must be gained after individuals obtain their bachelor's degrees.

The following types of experience are not considered qualifying: tutor, clerical worker, peer counselor, leader/companion, recreational counselor, legal assistant, investigator, camp counselor, eligibility specialist or custodial supervisor.

Based on the last exam notice, by the time of appointment candidates must have a valid New York State driver's license. Appointees also must meet specific medical and psychological requirements and pass a drug and alcohol screening. There is no residency requirement. Appointees must be U.S. citizens.

Candidates must be at least 21 years old by the time of appointment, but there is no minimum age to file for the position.

According to the prior test announcement, the multiple-choice exam will gauge candidates' skills in written comprehension and expression, memorization, problem sensitivity, and number facility. The exam will also test candidates' abilities to order information, determine where they are in relation to a location of a specific object, and visualize how something would look when it's moved around or rearranged.

Other Titles Opening

Filing is also scheduled to start on Feb. 6 for open-competitive evaluations leading to Rigger and Transit Electrical Helper jobs. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services is also set to begin accepting applications for the following promotion titles: Police Officer, Maintenance Supervisor (Electronic Equipment), and Supervising Police Communications Technician.

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