Civil Service Exams
Civil Service Exams 101
Civil service exams assess your knowledge, skills, & abilities necessary for performing a job.
(Not all jobs require a civil service exam though - only the positions classified “competitive.”)
WHAT ARE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS?
For many of our positions, the State Constitution requires that we hire from a list of candidates who have passed a civil service exam.
WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE ONE?
Apply online to take an exam so you can show that you meet the minimum qualifications of the position you're interested in. (Study guides and test exams are available online here!)
HOW CAN YOU TAKE AN EXAM?
After you apply, you'll be emailed an admittance letter that includes:
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Test location
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What you can bring
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Max time allowed to take the exam
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+ any additional info
WHERE WILL YOU TAKE THE EXAM?
Civil service exams are either offered continuously or posted 21 days before the exam date depending on the position. (Be sure to sign up to be notified when new exams are posted!)
WHEN WILL YOU TAKE YOUR EXAM?
When a department is ready to hire, the City will email everyone who showed interest in the position & passed the exam in a “Canvass Letter” with the next steps in the process.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EXAM?
When DON'T I have to take a Civil Service Exam?
You might not need to take a Civil Service Exam if:
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you are appointed to a position in the Non-Competitive Class, Labor Class, the Exempt Class
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you are eligible for the 55-a Employment Program (the section of New York State Civil Service Law which allows local governments to bypass the examination process when employing people with disabilities in entry-level civil service jobs).
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you are appointed to a position within the New York State HELPS program including:
Account Clerks II Account Specialists Accountants (Treasurer's Office) Accountants I Accountants II Accountants II (AHA) Accounts Receivable Specialists Adjudication Clerks Analysts Animal Control Officers Anti Violence Coordinators Assessment Aides Asset Managers Assistant Arborists Assistant Foresters Assistant Human Resources Administrators (ASD) Assistant Systems Specialists Associate Computer Software Technicians Assistant Chief Water Treatment Plant Operators Auditors Building Alternations Coordinators (DGS) Building Inspectors Building Services Supervisors Business Systems Analysts Central Registrar Clerks (ASD) Chief Accountants Chief Budget Managers Chief Financial Managers Chief Fiscal Officers Chief Reservoir Patrol Guards Chief Water Treatment Plant Operators City Arborists Claims Management Clerks Clerks II Clerk Stenographers II Code Enforcement Inspectors Collection Agents Communications Coordinators Community Development Outreach Specialists Community Engagement Coordinators (AHA) Community Engagement Team Liaisons Community Relations Coordinators Community School Site Coordinators Creative Content Coordinators Creative Content Specialists Crime Analysts Customer Contact Specialists Customer Service Representatives Customer Service Supervisors Data Analysts Data Engineers (ASD) Data Entry Operators Database Managers (ASD) Deputy Directors of Special Events Deputy Registrars of Vital Statistics Digital Marketing Specialists Dispatch Administrators Dispatchers Domestic Violence Case Coordinators Domestic Violence Intake Specialists Educational Television Specialists Emergency Services Communications Managers Employment & Training Specialists Energy Managers Engineers Environmental Engineering Technicians Environmental Specialists Facilities Managers (APL) Facilities Managers (APA) Family Engagement Coordinators Family Self Sufficiency Coordinators Federal Housing Finance Managers Federal Housing Rehabilitation Program Managers Financial Analysts Fire Alarm/Intercom Technicians (ASD) Fire Apparatus Mechanics Fiscal Analysts Foresters Geographic Information Systems Managers Grants Project Coordinators Head Custodians (ASD) Help Desk Aides I (AHA) Housing Eligibility Assistants Housing Outreach Specialists Housing Program Intake Specialists Housing Services Advocates Human Resource Information Systems Analysts Human Resources Generalist I Human Resources Generalist II Human Resources Generalist III Human Resources Specialists Information Clerks Information Clerks II Information Clerks III Information Technology Specialists I Information Technology Specialists II Information Technology Managers (APL) Instructional Computer Technicians (ASD) Intake Specialists Inventory Control Managers Junior Water Plant Instrument Technicians Junior Accountants (AHA) Junior Analysts Junior Engineers Junior Legislative Aides Junior Policy Analysts Keyboard Specialists Labor Relations Managers Laboratory Technicians Landfill Superintendents Lead Hazard Red Grant Program Managers Librarians I Librarians II Library Pages Licensed Automotive Inspectors Licensed Wastewater System Operators Line Clearance Tree Trimmers Maintenance Assistants Maintenance Superintendents I (AHA) Maintenance Supervisors (APA) Mapping Technologists Mapping Technologist Assistants Marketing Coordinators Marketing Coordinators (APA) Meter Technicians Neighborhood Specialists Neighborhood Stabilization Coordinators Network System Technicians Occupancy Clerks Office Managers Office Supervisors Paralegals Parking Garage Attendants II Parts Clerks Parts Clerks (DGS) Payroll Administrators Permit Technicians Planners Planning Unit Recycling Coordinators Plumbing Inspectors Principal Account Clerks Principal Payroll Administrators Principal Planners Program Aides Program Coordinators Program Technicians Project Coordinators Project Development Assistants Project Managers Property Managers Public Information Specialists Public Service Officers Public Service Officer Supervisors Public Works Inspectors Recertifications & Collections Managers (AHA) Records Assistants Records Managers Recreation Facility Managers Recycling Specialists Rehabilitation Specialists II Safety Training Coordinators School Crossing Officer Supervisors School District Treasurers Senior Employment & Training Specialists Senior Engineering Project Managers Senior Finance Counselors Senior Hall Monitors Senior Housing Authority Inspectors
Open Exams
These exams are open to the public, but don't procrastinate! Applications won't be accepted after the deadline.
Continuous Exams
No deadlines on these! This means positions can be applied for at any time and the eligible list will be used to fill vacancies as they occur.
Quick Tips...
The City recommends applying for and taking the exams for all of the positions you’re interested in. (This increases your chances of being considered in the hiring process!)
Need test prep? Why not check out a civil service exam study guide?
FAQs are no match for us - ask away!
Anything else? Contact the Human Resources department by phone at 518-434-5049 or email at HR@albanyny.gov.