ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED WITH THE ONONDAGA COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

SALARY AND VACANCIES: $35,383 - $53,048 (2007) City of Syracuse Police Department
$35,360 - $47,052 (2005) Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department
Salaries vary in the Town and Village Police Departments
The resulting open competitive eligible list will be used to fill present and future vacancies in any jurisdiction where the title exists. Changing conditions may make it necessary to certify for future vacancies at higher or lower salaries than those announced.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Entry-Level Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff Examination Series scheduled for May 10, 2008, was also held on November 17, 2007. A candidate is permitted to take examinations in the Entry-Level Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff Examination Series on ONE of these dates, but not both. Any qualified candidate who passed a Police Officer or Deputy Sheriff Examination on November 17, 2007, will be able to use the score achieved on that date to determine his or her placement on the eligible list resulting from this May 10, 2008, examination. Any candidate who FAILED a Police Officer or Deputy Sheriff Examination held on November 17, 2007, SHOULD NOT APPLY for this May 10, 2008, examination.

Candidates who were successful on a Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff examination held on November 17, 2007, and apply for this May 10, 2008, examination must attach the following information to their application: (1) the name of the civil service agency which conducted the November 17, 2007, examination; (2) the examination title(s) and number(s); and (3) the score that was achieved.

The information provided by candidates will be verified with the New York State Department of Civil Service before the eligible list for this examination is established.

Any candidate who took any Police Officer or Deputy Sheriff examination included in the November 17, 2007, examination series and does not provide information relating to his or her participation in that series holding, or falsifies information relating to his or her examination score, will be disqualified from this examination and may also be disqualified from participating in any examination in the Entry-Level Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff Examination Series prepared by the New York State Department of Civil Service for a period of up to five years.

CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT PROGRAM: This is a combined continuous recruitment examination for entry-level law enforcement officer positions. The names of successful candidates will be inter-filed, in order of final score, to a Police Officer / Deputy Sheriff (Police) eligible list which will be used to fill present and anticipated vacancies for the title Deputy Sheriff (Police) in the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department and the title Police Officer in the City of Syracuse Police Department and in various Onondaga County Town and Village Police Departments. Candidates appointed or removed from the list as a result of canvass in one law enforcement agency will be removed from the list for further consideration in all law enforcement agencies. Candidates should be aware that because this is a continuous recruitment list, all results of canvass (i.e. declinations) will remain in effect indefinitely. Removals and restrictions to the eligible list may be withdrawn only through written notice to the Onondaga County Personnel Department. The Onondaga County Personnel Department reserves the right to terminate this special recruitment program and establish the periodic type of examination in concurrence with the federal District Court Order.

DUTIES: This is law enforcement work involving responsibility to enforce federal and state laws and local ordinances and to maintain order in an assigned area. Does related work as required.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT FOR OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION:
Candidates must have resided in the United States of America or one of its territories for not less than one (1) month immediately preceding the date of exam. Preference in appointment may be given to local residents. Appointments to positions in some municipalities are subject to residence requirements pursuant to local laws.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: On the date of examination, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Age: Candidates must be at least 19 years and 6 months old on or before the written examination to be admitted to the test. Eligibility for appointment begins when candidates reach their 20th birthday. Candidates who reach their 35th birthday on or before the date of the written examination are not qualified except as follows: *Candidates may have a period of military duty or terminal leave up to six years, as defined in Section 243 (10-1) of the Military Law, deducted from their age for the purpose of meeting the age requirement.

Section 58.1(a) of Civil Service Law requires that applicants not be “more than 35 years of age as of the date the individual takes the written examination…” Candidates who may be impacted by the maximum age requirement and who are requesting an alternate test date (for active military duty, Sabbath Observance or for an alternate test date situation which meets the conditions of the Onondaga County’s alternate test date policy) are advised to contact Onondaga County Personnel to discuss their request.

At time of appointment Candidates must meet the following requirements:

Education: Candidates must be high school graduates or holders of a high school equivalency diploma issued by an education department of any of the states of the United States or holders of a comparable diploma issued by any territory, commonwealth, or possession of the United States or by the Canal Zone or holders of a report from the United States Armed Forces certifying successful completion of the tests related to general education development, high school level at time of appointment.
Citizenship: Candidates must be citizens of the United States at time of appointment.
License: Possession of a valid New York State driver's license at time of appointment.
Physical: Candidates must meet the prescribed general physical and medical conditions as stated in the Municipal Police Training Council standards.
Psychological: Psychiatric and Polygraph examinations may be required of any successful candidate prior to appointment.
Moral Character: Candidates must be of a good moral character with no conviction of a felony. Conviction of a misdemeanor or other offence including traffic violation may bar appointment.

SUBJECT OF EXAMINATION: There will be a written test, which you must pass in order to be considered for appointment. The written test will be designed to test for knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the following areas:

1. Applying Written Information (Rules, Regulations, Policies, Procedures, Directives, etc.) in Police Situations
These questions test for the ability to apply written rules in given situations similar to those typically experienced by police officers.

2. Memory for Facts and Information
These questions test for the ability to remember facts and information presented in written form. You will be given 5 minutes to read and study the information in the Memory Booklet. After the 5-minute period, the Memory Booklet will be taken away. You will then be required to answer questions about the material that was presented in the Memory Booklet.

3. Reading, Understanding and Interpreting Written Information
These questions test for the ability to read, understand, and interpret the kinds of written information that police officers are required to read during their formal training period and on the job.

4. Preparing Written Material in a Police Setting
These questions test for the ability to prepare the types of reports that police officers write. You will be presented with a page of notes followed by several questions. Each question will consist of four restatements of the information given in the notes. From each set of four, you must choose the version that presents the information most clearly and accurately.

The rating key for this examination will be established by the New York State Civil Service Commission prior to the date of the test, upon recommendation of a committee of police experts who will review all the questions for appropriateness and the key answers for correctness. There will be no review of the questions by candidates. This committee was selected with the assistance and endorsement of the Police Conference of New York, Inc., the New York State Association of PBA's, Inc., and the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc.

CALCULATORS: The use of a calculator is PROHIBITED on this examination. You may not bring books or other reference materials. You may not bring cellular phones, beepers, pagers, or headphones.

TEST GUIDE - The Test Guide for the Entry-Level Police Officer Series is available on the New York State Department of Civil Service web site at http://www.cs.state.ny.us/testing/localtestguides.cfm. Copies are also available at the following address or to request a copy by mail send a written request to: Onondaga County Personnel Dept, 421 Montgomery St. 13th fl, Syracuse NY 13202.

PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST STANDARDS: Held on an “as needed” basis.
Candidates passing the written portion of the examination will have their names placed on the eligible list but will be required to pass a qualifying physical-agility fitness test before they will be certified for permanent appointment. These tests will be given, as the needs of the service require. Selected candidates must successfully complete a physical fitness-screening test (physical agility) designed to assess the underlying physiological capacity of a candidate to learn and perform the essential job functions of an entry level Police Officer. The standards for this portion of this examination were established by the MPTC (Municipal Police Training Council) on February 1999 and revised on March 2006, and contain the following test elements: Bent-leg sit-ups, push-ups, and 1.5 mile run. Candidates are advised to assess their ability to qualify in the elements of the test battery. Our department strongly recommends that you have your physician review the test elements described below and certify that you are physically capable of participating in the physical fitness-screening test.
Events
Sit up Muscular Endurance - The score indicated below is the number of bent-leg sit-ups performed in one minute.
Push-up Muscular Endurance (Upper Body) – The score below is the number of full body repetitions that a candidate must complete without breaks.
1.5 Mile Run Cardiovascular Capacity - The (time) score indicated below is calculated in minutes: seconds.

TEST
Male
AGE SIT-UP PUSH-UP 1.5 MI RUN
20-29......38.......29........12:29
30-39......35.......24........12:53
40-49......29.......18........13:50

Female
AGE SIT-UP PUSH-UP 1.5 MI RUN
20-29......32.......15........15:05
30-39......25.......11........15:56
40-49......20........9........17:11

Physical Fitness Waiver Policy: At time of certification for appointment, candidates who have previously passed the physical fitness screening test (physical agility), administered by the Onondaga County Personnel Department and conducted by the YMCA of Greater Syracuse, within 4 (four) years may be waived from having to participate in the physical agility.
Physical Fitness Retest Policy: Candidates who have failed the physical fitness test will be removed from the active eligible list and he/she will be ineligible for further consideration from any current eligible list certification. Candidates may schedule a retest, for a fee of $25.00, by contacting the Health and Fitness Director at the YMCA of Greater Syracuse, 474-6851. Upon completion of the retest, the YMCA will notify the Onondaga County Personnel Department of the results of the test and the names of successful candidates will be returned to active status on the eligible list for consideration for any future vacancies.

MEDICAL STANDARDS: Upon receipt of a conditional offer of employment from a police agency, candidates will be scheduled for a medical review to evaluate whether he/she can, with or without reasonable accommodation, perform the essential functions of an entry-level police officer. Physical agility and medical standards are prescribed by the Municipal Police Training Council (MPTC) and are available at the Onondaga County Department of Personnel or online at www.ongov.net/Employment/document_center/.
Medical Review Waiver Policy: At time of a conditional offer of employment from a police agency, candidates who have previously passed the medical review, administered by the Onondaga County Personnel Department, within 1 (one) year may be waived from having to participate in the medical review.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Applications and credit card payment forms may be obtained in person from the Onondaga County Department of Personnel, by mail (include a self-addressed, stamped envelope) or downloaded at www.ongov.net/Employment/document_center.

APPLICATION FEE: Although a separate application is required for each examination number, candidates applying for more than one examination may pay all fees with a single check/money order or credit card form. You may pay by check, money order or by VISA or MasterCard, payable to “Chief Fiscal Officer”. Cash will be accepted only if paying in person. Payment must accompany your application(s) (indicate examination number(s) on your check or money order).
APPLICATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. You are, therefore, urged to carefully compare your qualifications with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified. If proofs (i.e. copy of license, certification, or transcript) are required, be sure that they accompany your application.
If you want “Proof That You Submitted Your Application and/or Examination Fee”, ask for a receipt or, if mailing your application, enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope and request a receipt.
NOTE: A bounced check fee will be charged to you for any checks returned. Unless such fees are paid in full, you will not be permitted to participate in any examination(s) or be considered for appointment from resultant eligible lists. In addition, any subsequent application fees will not be refunded unless all such fees are paid in full.

FEE WAIVER: A waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are unemployed and primarily responsible for support of a household. In addition, a waiver of application fee will be allowed if you are determined eligible for Medicaid, or receiving Supplemental Security Income payments (SSI); or Public Assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families/Family Assistance of Safety Net Assistance); or are receiving Foster Care or are certified Workforce Investment Act eligible through a State or local service agency. All claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification. If you can verify eligibility for application fee waiver, complete an “Application Fee Waiver Request and Certification” form and submit it with your application by the close of business at 4:30pm on the last file date as listed on the Examination Announcement.
The “Application Fee Waiver Request and Certification” form can be found in our office lobby or on our website in the Document Center.

EVALUATION OF FOREIGN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States or it's territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies providing this service may be obtained in person from the Onondaga County Department of Personnel, by mail (include a self-addressed, stamped envelope) or downloaded at www.ongov.net/Employment/document_center.. You will be responsible for the required evaluation fee.

ADDITIONAL CREDIT TO CHILDREN OF FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY:
In conformance with section 85-a of the Civil Service Law, children of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty shall be entitled to receive an additional ten points in a competitive examination for original appointment in the same municipality in which his or her parent has served. If you are qualified to participate in this examination and are a child of a firefighter or police officer killed in the line of duty in this municipality, please inform this office of this matter when you submit your application for examination. A candidate claiming such credit has a minimum of two months from the application deadline date to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.

VETERAN CREDITS: War veterans applying for additional credit must submit a copy of their DD-214 (discharge papers) with their application for examination or by one month following the date of examination. Veteran’s Credit Instructions and Application Forms are available in person from the Onondaga County Department of Personnel, by mail (include a self addressed stamped envelope) or online at www.ongov.net/Employment/document_center. Veteran’s credit can only be added to a passing score on the examination. No credit may be granted after the establishment of the list. Candidates currently in the armed forces may apply for and be conditionally granted veteran’s credit in examinations. Any candidate who applies for conditional credit must provide proof of their military status with their application for examination or by one month following the date of examination. When discharged, it is the responsibility of the candidate to provide appropriate documentary proof, indicating that service was in time of war, as defined in Section 85 of the Civil Service Law, and that the candidate received an honorable discharge or was released under honorable conditions in order to be certified at a score including the veteran’s credit.

APPLICATION DEADLINE POLICY: All applications along with application fees or proofs of waiver must be submitted to the Onondaga County Department of Personnel before the close of business at 4:30 p.m. on the date of last file as listed on the Examination announcement. Applications received via U.S. Mail will be accepted only if postmarked on or before the Application Deadline. Applications that are received through inter-office mail after the Application Deadline or that are submitted to any other department, office or agency and are not received in the Department of Personnel by the Application Deadline will not be accepted.

MILITARY APPLICANTS: In accordance with Section 243 of Military Law, military personnel serving on active duty in the armed forces of the United States during the filing period may be permitted to file an application for the examination after the application deadline date, but prior to the scheduled date of the examination. Contact the Onondaga County Personnel Department at (315)435-3537 for further information.

EXAM INFORMATION:
EXAM NOTICE: Candidates found eligible will be notified when and where to appear for examination. If you have not received notice of the examination location three (3) days prior to the examination, contact the Examination Unit at 435-3537. If an application is disapproved, due notice will be sent. Reasons for disapproval may be discussed with the reviewer.

FOR EMERGENCY CANCELLATION OF EXAMINATIONS TUNE TO: WIXT NEWS CHANNEL 9, WTVH NEWS CHANNEL 5, NEWS 10 NOW or any Clear Channel Radio Station.

EXAM ACCOMMODATIONS: If you desire accommodation at the exam site due to disability, please indicate the disability and desired conditions necessary to accommodate your disability on the application or on a paper attached firmly to your application.
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION: Applicants whose religious beliefs prevent them from taking examinations on the scheduled date should indicate the need for special arrangements on their application.

EXAM RATING: When the written examination is prepared and rated by the New York State Department of Civil Service in accordance with Section 23-2 of the Civil Service Law, the provision of the New York State Civil Service Rules and Regulations will apply.

ELIGIBLE LIST: Eligible lists are established, on average, within three months after the examination date. In accordance with the New York State Civil Service Law, an eligible list must remain in existence for one year from the date of its establishment or until there are no candidates left who are willing to accept appointment, whichever occurs first. The Personnel Commissioner may extend the list beyond one year to a maximum of four years. Agencies are required to hire from the eligible list according to the rule of three (see our FAQ document for examples of the Rule of Three). All candidates at the highest score are immediately eligible for consideration for appointment. Candidates at lower scores can only be considered when there are fewer than 3 candidates at the highest score.
When the eligible list is established you will be able to view the current eligible list and your status on-line by going to www.ongov.net/Employment/jobs/ and simply clicking the link to Civil Service Exam Test Results.

CANDIDATE FITNESS: Inquires may be made as to character and ability of all candidates. All statements made by candidates are subject to verification. Falsification of any part of the “Application for Employment” may result in disqualification and possible legal action.

APPLYING FOR CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS ON THE SAME TEST DATE FOR MORE THAN ONE CITY, COUNTY OR *STATE CIVIL SERVICE AGENCY: If you have applied for examinations in more than one Local government (City or County agencies), you must make arrangements to take all the examinations at one test site.
You must make your request for these arrangements no later than two weeks before the date of the examination. You must notify all agencies with which you have filed an application of the test site at which you wish to take your examination(s).
For Onondaga County examinations complete a Cross Filer Notification form, available in person from the Onondaga County Department of Personnel or online at www.ongov.net/Employment/document_center, and send to Onondaga County Dept of Personnel, 421 Montgomery St 13th Fl, Syracuse NY 13202 OR FAX to 315-435-8272. OR call 315-435-3537.
*If you have applied for both State and Local government examinations, you must make arrangements to take all your examinations at the State examination center by calling (518) 474-6470 in the Albany area or toll free at (877) 697-5627 (press 2, then press 1), no later than two weeks before the test date.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: It is the responsibility of the candidate to notify the Onondaga County Personnel Department in writing of any change in address. No attempt will be made by this department to locate candidates who have moved. Address change forms are available in the Personnel Department during normal office hours or online at www.ongov.net/Employment/document_center.

MILITARY MAKE-UP EXAMINATION: Any member of the armed forces of the United States who has filed an application to compete in a scheduled competitive examination but is deprived of the opportunity to compete in the examination due to ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY can be provided with a special military make-up examination upon written request to the Onondaga County Personnel Department. The applicant must submit a copy of military orders, DD214, or other official military document that substantiates active military service at the time of the examination. Request must be no later than sixty (60) days after release from active duty.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENT IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND BOCES: Per Chapter 180 of the Laws of 2000, and by Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, to be employed in a position designated by a school district or BOCES as involving contact with students, a clearance for employment from the State Education Department is required.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION ACT OF 1985, candidates for appointment to Onondaga County government positions which involve regular and substantial contact with children will be required to complete a State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment clearance form. Failure to complete this form may result in decertification of your name from this eligible list for appointments in Onondaga County.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING: Candidates for appointment or promotion to Onondaga County government positions that are designated as safety sensitive are required to undergo pre-employment drug testing for alcohol and drugs after a conditional offer of employment has been extended and prior to any applicant’s performance of a safety-sensitive function.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be required to undergo a State and national criminal history background investigation, which will include a fingerprint check, to determine suitability for appointment. Failure to meet the standards for the background investigation may result in disqualification.

SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT: Candidates for appointment or promotion to positions in Onondaga County government which require the operation of motor vehicles must, at the time of appointment, possess an appropriate NY State drivers license and a dependable personal vehicle or must have reasonable access to private/public transportation.