EXAM NUMBER 63-904

LAST DATE FOR FILING                                    EXAM DATE

APRIL 9, 2008                                                          MAY 10, 2008

***APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED BY THE LAST FILING DATE***

$10.00 NON-REFUNDABLE FILING FEE MUST ACCOMPANY EACH APPLICATION

MONEY ORDERS ONLY - NO CASH, NO PERSONAL CHECKS

STARTING SALARY/RANGE:  $29,355 - $32,635            Office of the Assessor         

VACANCIES:  There is currently one (1) vacancy in the Office of the Assessor.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill this vacancy and any other vacancies as they occur in all agencies and special districts under the jurisdiction of the Utica Municipal Civil Service Commission. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(A)           Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma; OR

(B)              One (1) year of work experience in real estate, property valuation, construction cost estimating or similar field; OR

(C)       An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) above.

DUTIES:  This position is located in the City of Utica’s Assessor’s Office and involves the collection and recording of data which forms the basis for the determination of assessments of real property and for entering data into a computer via a data entry terminal.  The work is performed under the immediate supervision of the Assessor or other official.  The incumbent does related work as required.

SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION:

1.                  Data Collection

These questions test for a knowledge of the variables that are collected for residential, commercial, vacant and farm properties.

Hypothetical situations may be used to test for candidate knowledge, skill, and ability in this area.

The majority of these questions are based on the terms, concepts, and principles of data collection that are contained in the Office of Real Property Services’ (ORPS) Data Collection Manual.  This manual can be found at the ORPS website located at www.orps.state.ny.us.

2.                  Name and Number Checking

These questions test your 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.

3.                  Organizing Data Into Tables and Records

These questions test your ability to combine and manipulate information into a specified format.  You will be given numerical data in tabular and/or narrative form, and you must compile it into tables or records.  Ability to add and subtract is required.  All information necessary to answer the questions is given.  No knowledge of specific bookkeeping, account-keeping, or recordkeeping systems is required.

4.                  Real Property Terminology, Documents and Forms

These questions test for a knowledge of terminology, documents, and forms pertaining to real property.  While some questions ask for only straight definitions, others are situational questions which require the use of real property terms to determine the answer to the questions.

5.                  Understanding and Interpreting Abstracts, Deeds, and Other Documents Related to Real Property

These questions test for the ability to understand and apply information contained in documents related to real property and include examples, illustrations and applications of laws and procedures in relation to the reading and interpretation of title abstracts, deeds and other related documents.

IMPORTANT: READ GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

THE USE OF CALCULATORS IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS EXAM.

Calculators are permitted: Unless specifically prohibited, candidates are permitted to use QUIET, hand-held, solar or battery powered calculators.  Devices with typewriter keyboards, such as computers, spell checkers, personal digital assistants, address books, language translators, dictionaries and any similar devises are PROHIBITED.