Education and Experience Exams

Hi. Welcome to the leading website for information on getting a NYC job. I hope this will motivate you to get the lead out and lead you in the right direction for you to rightfully obtain what you deserve. You are right in obtaining as much information as you can so you lead yourself forward without going astray left or right!

As you know, the way words are used in speech and writing to explain and articulate information can sometimes be unclear. Some words, as seen in the opening lines, have two meanings.

The tower climber was very high. One thought is impressive and awe-inspiring. The other thought is concerning and a bit disturbing.

This thought process is very important in completing an Education and Experience (E&E) exam.

You Must Get Past the Gatekeepers

No longer are the days where you send in a resume or CV and it gets directly to the hiring managers desk. Modern times tend to have a screener – or “gatekeeper” – that your information must first get through before you’re even presented to the hiring manager.

You could be well qualified for a position as described in a Notice of Examination (NOE) but the gatekeeper – whether software or live screener – needs to make that determination based on the information you provide.

I addressed some of this in an earlier posting called “Filing an Appeal with DCAS”. This was to help a number of readers who “failed” an E&E exam that they were extremely qualified for and didn’t know why. Because they were determined unqualified by the gatekeepers the only recourse to get back for reconsideration was to file an appeal. But I’m hoping with this information you won’t have to file an appeal and you’ll make it through on the first shot.

Read Questions Completely

Let’s use this example for Construction Project Manager:

These would probably make up the first group of questions. From the E&E’s I’ve taken these requirements are just restated with “Do you have…” at the beginning. Answers are only yes or no. It doesn’t matter here that you have more than the minimum; just that you have the minimum. Also read closely and don’t think too abstract about the questions. Like, in question 1, inspecting construction projects would be acceptable experience, not just managing. And the total cost of the projects you managed or inspected is $300,000 – not each individual project is $300,000.

The gatekeeper is probably not qualified to determine by popular name what the size, scope, and cost of a project is. “Worked on Second Avenue Subway Project” doesn’t describe anything. Also, you don’t have to impress anyone here yet. Save that for when you get past the gatekeeper and sit with the hiring manager. Here you just have to give the gatekeeper enough information to assess whether you meet each of the criteria. It is important to use the key words (highlighted in my example) as listed in each bullet to help them with the assessment. So, using hypothetical guesses (I don’t know anything about subway civil projects) a description might read (with only the most basic of information):

1) Constructed platform for area X for the MTA Second Avenue Subway Project

2) I performed safety and quality inspections daily, managed four assistant project managers, generated and managed timelines and budgets, inspected sub-contractor work and managed sub-contractor labor costs.

Note here – remember, as a manager you may provide management to your direct reports (in this example the four assistant project managers) but if they have people reporting to them (i.e. sub-contractors or employees) you are responsible for their work too as indirect reports.

3) It was a two year project. Year one was $350,000 in total costs and year two was $300,000 in total costs.

Note here – I think it helps to keep the numbers round and easy for someone to calculate out by observation. I would also specify the timeline here although that’s asked in the next question

4) I worked on this project through a two full year time period from June 1, 2015 to May 31, 2017

Make sure all of your numbers add up – you have the FULL dollar amount met as requested (here was $300k minimum for each year) and the FULL timeline (“…for the five years of required experience…” if you’re going for the first E&E requirement).

Of course we’d have to continue in making up the years of experience and project costs depending on how you’re looking to qualify.

So, I hope this helps get you through the process the first time. If you do “fail”, although you meet the qualifications, you will need to file an appeal. You may be requested to visit DCAS in-person on the appeal to present your case. Again, the person reviewing the appeal – as is the person who originally is reviewing the application – may not be qualified for the position you’re testing for. So, be prepared to explain it in layman’s terms and have all of your facts together. Use the NOE as guidance of what you’ll be asked regarding your education and experience.

As for my usual disclaimer, I’m just a guy who stumbled around and learned from the school of hard knocks. I’m not a HR person, lawyer, nor have I worked for DCAS or have any hooks there. Just a periodic hiring manager who also climbed the ranks through civil service tests.

Comments and Questions welcomed here.