The New York City civil service exam schedule is open for August, and some jobs pay more than others.
The application period for exams opened Aug. 1.
Exam applications currently open include: assistant civil engineer; automotive service worker; caseworker; caseworker (NYC H+H); contract specialist; electrician’s helper; electrician’s helper (CUNY); estimator (general construction); plan examiner (buildings); plant maintainer (hospitals)/ tender (NYC H+H); police officer; school safety agent; and traffic enforcement agent.
The starting salary for each career varies, according to the city.
Open, competitive, computer-based tests are administered throughout each month for various positions. If you meet the basic requirements of the job, you can apply for your exam online at Online Application System or at one of the Computer-Based Testing and Application Centers.
Most of these exams have a deadline of Aug. 25, though some job deadlines may differ.
Here is the starting salary, deadline and job description for each career, according to the city.
Assistant engineer
Salary: $66,330
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: Assistant Civil Engineers, under supervision, perform civil engineering work of moderate difficulty and responsibility. They supervise a small squad, unit or group engaged in the performance of work in design, construction supervision, inspection and materials testing, or drafting and tracing; engage in research, investigation, or studies related to the engineering functions or activities of a department or agency; produce designs using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and other software in accordance with agency requirements; develop drawings, write specifications and prepare estimates of quantities; check shop drawings; participate in field surveys as chief of survey party or in other capacities; participate in inspection operations by observing, checking and certifying the installation of materials and equipment, attest to equipment performance and tests of materials; review or examine plans for the construction, demolition or alteration of structures to comply with the provisions of law, rule or regulation; may operate motor vehicles. All Assistant Civil Engineers perform related work.
Automotive service worker
Salary: $42,387
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: Automotive Service Workers, under varying levels of supervision and degrees of difficulty, assist in and perform automotive maintenance services such as inspection, and repair work. Automotive Service Workers, under direct supervision, perform repairs and automotive maintenance services such as preventive maintenance, inspection, battery service, checking, servicing, patching and changing tires; lubrication and oil change; clean, wash and polish vehicles; clean interior of vehicles; dispense gasoline and oil; check the level, and refill automobile fluids such as coolant, oil, transmission and brake fluids; assist in performing tune ups, in shops and on the road, and in replacement of engine parts, drive-trains, transmissions, steering gear and components, ignition, heating and cooling systems, air conditioning components, brake system, lighting system, sirens and backup warning tone systems, etc; operate motor vehicles to test repairs; may operate a tow truck when duties require; maintain and update vehicle service and repair records. All Automotive Service Workers perform related work.
Caseworker
Salary: $48,206
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: Caseworkers, under supervision, with some latitude for independent action and decision-making, provide social services to clients/patients, such as recipients of public assistance, SNAP, and/or medical assistance, child care assistance, adults receiving or needing institutional care or protective services, and homeless adults/families; identify, develop, and implement social service plans for such individuals; may determine the eligibility for these services; and may perform advocacy for social services and health-related services, counseling, and investigative activities. All Caseworkers perform related work.
Caseworker (NYC H+H)
Salary: $48,206
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: Caseworkers (NYC Health + Hospitals) under supervision, with some latitude for independent action and decision-making, provide social services to clients/patients, such as recipients of public assistance, food stamps and/or medical assistance, adults receiving or needing institutional care or protective services, and homeless adults/families; identify, develop and implement social service plans for such individuals; may determine the eligibility for these services; and may perform counseling and investigative activities. All Caseworkers (NYC Health + Hospitals) perform related work.
Contract specialist
Salary: $48,257
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: Contract Specialists, under supervision, with some latitude for independent initiative and decision making, perform professional work of routine difficulty managing contracts for social services programs. All Contract Specialists perform related work.
Electrician’s helper
Salary: $44.91 per hour for a 35-hour work week
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: Electrician’s Helpers, under direct supervision, assist electricians to install, repair, replace and maintain electric systems, appliances, apparatus and equipment according to the provisions of the New York City Electrical Code and approved plans and specifications. They assist electricians in pulling wires and testing electrical systems; replacing defective light switches, plugs and lighting fixtures; checking signal systems; keep electricians supplied with materials, tools and supplies; cleaning work areas, machines, tools and equipment; performing routine machine operations; and may operate motor vehicles or equipment in the performance of assigned duties. All Electrician’s Helpers perform related work.
Electrician’s helper (CUNY)
Salary: $44.91 per hour for a 35-hour work week
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: Electrician’s Helpers (CUNY), under direct supervision, assist electricians to install, repair, replace and maintain electric systems, appliances, apparatus and equipment according to the provisions of the New York City Electrical Code and approved plans and specifications. They assist electricians in pulling wires and testing electrical systems; replacing defective light switches, plugs and lighting fixtures; checking signal systems; keep electricians supplied with materials, tools and supplies; cleaning work areas, machines, tools and equipment; performing routine machine operations; and may operate motor vehicles or equipment in the performance of assigned duties. All Electrician’s Helpers (CUNY) perform related work.
Estimator (General Construction)
Salary: $66,330
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: Estimators (General Construction) perform general construction estimating work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility. They may operate a motor vehicle to visit sites. All Estimators (General Construction) perform related work. Some of the physical activities performed by Estimators (General Construction) and environmental conditions experienced are: walking to and from inspection sites; climbing and descending from ladders or stairs to get to areas to be inspected; standing for extended periods of time; bending and stooping during inspections; working in confined areas; communicating orally; carrying clipboards and inspection forms; climbing around and over various objects; walking in areas that may be damp, dark, dusty, smoky or acrid; and working outdoors in all kinds of weather.
Plan Examiner (Buildings)
Salary: $81,743
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: Plan Examiners (Buildings), under general supervision, perform responsible supervisory work, or difficult and responsible work, in the engineering or architectural analysis of structures and building equipment systems, and the examination of plans for the construction, alteration or repair of buildings and equipment systems under the jurisdiction of the Department of Buildings; complete reports and interpret building codes, rules and zoning regulations. All Plan Examiners (Buildings) perform related work. Some of the physical activities performed by Plan Examiners (Buildings) and environmental conditions experienced when conducting field inspections are: walking to and from inspection sites; climbing and descending from ladders or stairs to get to areas to be inspected; standing on scaffolds to inspect work; standing for an extended period of time; bending and stooping during inspections; working in confined areas; distinguishing colors; wearing hard hats; climbing around and over various objects; walking in areas that may be damp, dark, smoky or acrid and working outdoors in all kinds of weather.
Plant Maintainer (Hospitals)/ Tender (NYC H+H)
Salary: $41.40 per hour for a 40-hour work week
Application deadline: Sept. 22
Job description: Plant Maintainers (Hospitals)/Tenders (NYC H+H), under supervision, install, lubricate, maintain and tend power plant, pumping, heating, ventilating, refrigeration, air conditioning equipment and related systems serving hospitals and health care facilities. They may inspect, maintain, repair and/or tend equipment used in heating, ventilating, refrigeration, air conditioning and related mechanical systems; inspect and read meters, gauges and other controls of operating equipment; may tend and/or operate boilers and related equipment, except where equipment requires a New York City high pressure boiler license or refrigeration engineer’s certificate, may assist in this function; clean burners; may dismantle and/or assemble equipment associated with the heating, ventilating, refrigeration, air conditioning or mechanical systems and to make it operational; may requisition parts as required; maintain inventory; and maintain necessary work records and logs. All Plant Maintainers (Hospitals)/Tenders (NYC H+H) perform related work.
Police officer
Salary: $55,942
Application deadline: Aug. 17
Job description: Police Officers perform general police duties and related work in the New York City Police Department including connecting and building relationships with the community. They patrol an assigned area on foot or in a vehicle to prevent crime; apprehend crime suspects; intervene in various situations involving crimes in progress, aided cases, complaints, emotionally disturbed persons, etc.; respond to and investigate vehicular accidents; investigate specific offenses; interact with prisoners; operate and maintain patrol vehicles; issue summonses; obtain information regarding incidents by interviewing witnesses, victims, and/or complainants; safeguard and voucher found, seized or recovered property; provide information to the public; handle situations involving maltreated, abused, or missing children; interact with juveniles; may be assigned to crowd control for large-scale events such as demonstrations, rallies and parades; prepare forms and reports; and testify in court. All Police Officers perform related work.
School safety agent
Salary: $40,480
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: School Safety Agents patrol designated areas of school buildings and surrounding areas; identify and prevent infiltration of unlawful or prohibited items through scanning; give routine information to visitors and direct them to the proper personnel and offices; request identification of, and remove from the premises, any unauthorized persons; aid sick and injured persons and call for medical, police or fire assistance, when needed; notify supervisors of all emergency incidents and complete any related documentation; respond to altercations between students and other persons, and attempt to separate the involved persons and resolve conflicts; maintain records of persons entering and leaving buildings; monitor security camera systems to ensure facility entrances are secure; identify persons violating Department of Education Rules and Regulations; apprehend persons violating the Penal Law and notify the proper administrative personnel; prepare reports and testify in regard to these violations at Superintendent’s or Principal’s hearings and/or in court; monitor and use radios to request assistance from co-workers; and may operate motor vehicles. All School Safety Agents perform related work.
Traffic enforcement agent
Salary: $48,719
Application deadline: Aug. 25
Job description: At Assignment Level I, under supervision, Traffic Enforcement Agents patrol an assigned area in order to enforce laws, rules and regulations relating to movement, parking, stopping and standing of vehicles. They prepare and issue paper and electronic summonses for violations; prepare and issue summonses to vehicles and motorists; testify at administrative hearing offices and court; report inoperative or missing parking meters and traffic conditions requiring attention; prepare required reports; operate a motor vehicle; and operate portable and vehicle radios and other electronic equipment. At Assignment Level II, under general supervision, in addition to performing the duties described under Assignment Level I above, Traffic Enforcement Agents perform traffic direction tasks such as the following: direct and control traffic at assigned locations, maintain the efficient and safe flow of vehicles and pedestrians. All Traffic Enforcement Agents perform related work.