Program Assistant

This position is responsible for the performance of support functions for a program or service funded by government. EXAMPLES OF WORK (Illustrative Only): Works with members of the public to gather or provide information concerning a program; prepares and processes records relating to such transactions, including applications, routine correspondence and database administration; gathers, collates, and summarizes information concerning a unit's programs or activities; prepares, receives, reviews, and verifies documents; performs data entry to open and close files; contacts other agencies and departments to gather routine information or to explain routine requirements for unit programs; screens and assembles specifically identified records and files for storage or disposal in accordance with established records control schedules; maintains property and equipment records, conducts physical inventories; prepares vouchers and reviews information for correctness and to ensure that funds are available for payment; assists in organizing program functions such as registration by gathering information, making arrangements and reservations, assembling informational packages, etc.; may specialize in centralized support service functions such as mail distribution, fleet management, ordering/distribution of supplies, equipment and expendables; maintains databases and produces lists or compiles information in accordance with program requirements; monitors files or cases for receipt of necessary forms/documentation and takes follow-up action including making phone calls and sending standardized letters.

Candidates must meet the following requirements on or before November 7, 2026:

A test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the following areas: Name and number checking These questions test for the ability to distinguish between sets of words, letters, and/or numbers that are almost exactly alike. Material is usually presented in two or three columns, and you will have to determine how the entry in the first column compares with the entry in the second column and possibly the third. You will be instructed to mark your answers according to a designated code provided in the directions. Operations with Letters and Numbers These questions test for skills and abilities in operations involving alphabetizing, comparing, checking and counting. The questions require you to follow the specific directions given for each question which may involve alphabetizing, comparing, checking and counting given groups of letters and/or numbers. Customer service These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact with other people, to gather and present information, and to provide assistance, advice and effective customer service in a courteous and professional manner. Questions will cover such topics as understanding and responding to people with diverse needs, perspectives, personalities, and levels of familiarity with agency operations, as well as acting in a way that both serves the public and reflects well on your agency. Working with office records These questions test your ability to work with office records. The test consists of two or more sets of questions, each set concerning a different problem. Typical record keeping problems might involve the organization or collation of numerical data from several sources; maintaining a record system using running balances; or completion of a table summarizing data using totals, subtotals, averages and percents.
Test guide:
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. The use of calculators is RECOMMENDED for this exam.
APPLY ONLINE AT WWW.DUTCHESSNY.GOV /JOBS
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Pursuant to Section 23.4a of Civil Service Law, preference in appointment from open-competitive lists may be given to candidates who have been residents in a locality or school district in which appointment is to be made for at least 30 days prior to certification of the eligible list. For appointment in some jurisdictions you may be required to become a resident thereof in accordance with law or resolution. NOTE: 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 to provide the necessary documentation to verify additional credit eligibility. However, no credit may be added after the eligible list has been established.

The eligible list established as a result of this examination will be used, when appropriate, to fill vacancies as they occur in all units under the jurisdiction of the Dutchess County Department of Human Resources. NOTE: A Promotion examination is being given in conjunction with this Open Competitive examination. The Promotion eligible list will be certified FIRST. **This title is approved for ...