New York State · exam No. 31-604020
Mental Health Program Specialist 4 (Clinical)
Accepting applications Promotional
notice
- New York State is accepting applications for the Mental Health Program Specialist 4 (Clinical) exam (No. 31-604020), a promotional examination, until (29 days left as of October 27, 2026).
- The exam date is .
- The announced salary is G-27/M-2.
- The application fee is $0.
- The announcement was posted on .
What the job involves
As a Mental Health Program Specialist 3 (Clinical) , you would supervise a unit of lower-level Mental Health Program Specialists engaged in the development, licensure, oversight, and/or regulation of State operated and/or licensed mental health programs requiring clinical expertise or the risk assessment and record review of individuals who have committed sex offenses and who are nearing the end of their criminal sentence in order to determine whether civil confinement in a secure treatment facility or release to strict and intensive community supervision and treatment is appropriate; and provide technical assistance and guidance on programmatic issues related to the treatment and care of individuals and scope of professional practice. You may also serve as a non-supervisory, Clinical Risk Manager; and conduct, facilitate, and/or review investigations of incidents and complaints at State psychiatric facilities or licensed mental health programs within an assigned geographic area.
As a Mental Health Program Specialist 4 (Clinical) , you would supervise a large unit or multiple units of lower-level Mental Health Program Specialists engaged in the development, licensure, oversight, and/or regulation of State operated and/or licensed mental health programs requiring clinical expertise; provide technical assistance and guidance on programmatic issues related to the treatment and care of individuals and scope of professional practice; manage and direct the design, implementation, and monitoring of mental health programs and services; and evaluate State and local program operations, policies, and procedures.
Minimum qualifications
Open to employees of: Mental Health, Office of
On or before January 9, 2027, you must be a qualified employee of the New York State Office of Mental Health and have had 45 days of permanent competitive, non-competitive NY HELPS**, or 55-b/55-c service as shown below. If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally*** in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for this examination.
For Exam No. 31-603020: Mental Health Program Specialist 2 (Clinical).
For Exam No. 31-604020: Mental Health Program Specialist 3 (Clinical).
Only the title or titles listed are qualifying.
If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title on or before November 25, 2026, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you are eligible to file for this examination.
**If you were permanently appointed via the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class on or before November 25, 2026, and have served continuously in this title since that date, you may apply for this examination.
***If you were permanently appointed to a qualifying title and had provisional service in the same title immediately preceding the permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required to apply for this examination. Your provisional appointment must have been on or before November 25, 2026, to qualify for this examination.
Qualifying Experience For Appointment From The Eligible List: After one year of service described in the Minimum Qualifications, successful candidates will be qualified for appointment from the eligible list.
Employees appointed via the NY HELPS program to a qualifying title in the non-competitive class will have their names restricted from appointment from the eligible list until their position is covered-in to the competitive class by action of the New York State Civil Service Commission or otherwise obtain permanent competitive status in the position.
If you have received a permanent appointment to a qualifying title listed and served provisionally in that title immediately preceding your permanent appointment, such provisional service may be counted towards meeting the time in title required for appointment from the eligible list.
Additional Requirements for Appointment:
Background Investigation/Justice Center Review: In some agencies, the names of all prospective employees will :
be checked against the Staff Exclusion List (SEL), maintained by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. Prospective employees whose names appear on the SEL as having been found responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse or neglect will be barred from appointment and may have their names removed from the eligible list(s) for the title(s);
be investigated through a Criminal Background Check (CBC). You must report all convictions. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor or any falsified or omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case will be determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal law;
And may :
be screened against the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Prospective employees whose names appear on the SCR may be barred from appointment.
You are responsible for payment of all required fees.
Medicaid and Medicare: To be eligible for appointment and maintain employment, you cannot be listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of the Federal and/or State Medicaid and Medicare exclusion lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program). You may be barred from appointment, or your employment may be terminated at any time if you are listed as a
Subject of examination
To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass the multiple-choice test . The multiple-choice test evaluates your knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in the following areas: For Examination Nos.
31-603020 31-604020
1. Analyzing and evaluating information - These questions test for the ability to analyze, interpret, and draw reasonable conclusions from information presented in text, data, images or symbols. This may involve identifying a significant problem or issue; focusing on relevant data and text; identifying trends, relationships, and significant features; assessing relevant alternatives; suggesting or evaluating possible conclusions; and applying logical principles to information provided.
X X
2. Preparing reports and official documents - These questions test for the ability to prepare reports and other official documents for use within and among governmental agencies, in legal or regulatory settings, or for dissemination to the public. Some questions test for a knowledge of grammar, usage, punctuation, and sentence structure. Others test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, to use the proper tone, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly.
X X
3. Working and interacting with others - These questions test for knowledge of how to effectively approach work and maintain professional relationships with others in the workplace. Each question presents a situation and a number of possible approaches for handling it. Question topics may include working with supervisors and coworkers, interacting with members of the public, handling conflict, and managing workplace demands and priorities. The questions are not specific to any job title or place of work.
X
4. Supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing, and controlling the activities of a work unit toward predetermined objectives. The concepts covered, usually in a situational question format, include such topics as assigning and reviewing work; evaluating performance; maintaining work standards; motivating and developing subordinates; implementing procedural change; increasing efficiency; and dealing with problems of absenteeism, morale, and discipline.
X
5. Administrative supervision - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and their subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.
X
6. Understanding and applying administrative principles - These questions test for knowledge of how to effectively manage and direct an organization or an organizational segment. These questions cover such areas as developing objectives, formulating policies, making decisions, forecasting and planning, developing personnel, organizing and coordinating work, communicating information, providing leadership, and delegating authority and responsibility.
X
Test Guide & Sample Test Material: A General Guide to Multiple-Choice Tests is available at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm . If Sample Test Material is available for a subject area described above, it can be found at http://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/sampletestmat.cfm .
If you pass, your seniority credit(s), if any, will be included in the computation of your final score. Your final score on the eligible list will be determined after adding any Veterans' credits.
Credit For Seniority: Seniority is credited at the rate of one credit for each five-year period (or fr
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