NYS Department of Civil Service announces professional career opportunities online exam is open for registration to fill hundreds of jobs across state government

Applicants can apply for PCO online exam through Nov. 30; online exam must be completed by Dec. 15

√ New PCO virtual career fair will be held Nov. 9 to highlight jobs available across state government – register to attend here

√ Computers available for those who need them to attend career fair or take online exam, at designated career centers and educational opportunity centers across state

The New York State Department of Civil Service announced individuals interested in a career in state public service can apply and complete the professional career opportunities (PCO) exam, a civil service exam used to fill more than 150 professional entry-level titles across New York agencies.

This exam, which is being offered online for the first time, is the largest exam administered by the Department of Civil Service. Qualified candidates who have a bachelor’s degree or will have a bachelor’s degree by June 30, 2023, can apply for the exam online until 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30. All candidates who apply must complete the online exam until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15.

“The professional career opportunities exam provides jobseekers – including soon-to-be college graduates – with the unique opportunity to gain access to a number of rewarding and meaningful careers with New York state,” Department of Civil Service Commissioner Timothy R. Hogues said. “The Department of Civil Service is pleased to be hosting this large exam online for the first time, making it easier than ever for all New Yorkers to take this exam from the comfort of their own homes, or in centers located throughout the state for those who need access to computers. Working for New York state not only offers the chance to serve the greater public, but also provides the opportunity to work with dedicated public servants – in addition to the great health benefits and compensation packages. I encourage all interested candidates to apply for this exam and learn more about joining New York’s diverse and dedicated workforce.”

To be eligible to take the PCO exam, candidates must first meet the minimum qualifications for the exam, which requires a bachelor’s degree by June 30, 2023. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications must apply for the exam by Nov. 30, then access the online exam and submit all examination materials by Dec. 15. The online exam will require candidates to provide information about their training and experience with an online questionnaire that is completed and submitted by the candidate. Candidates should be prepared to provide detailed information on their education, work experience, dates of employment, and supervisor contact information to answer the questions completely.

To highlight the many career opportunities currently available across state government, all jobseekers are invited to attend the New York state PCO jobs virtual career fair being held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9. The job fair will feature a variety of state agencies with a focus on the many job titles filled by the PCO exam. The career fair will also include sessions to help jobseekers begin their New York state careers. To register or learn more, click here.

Candidates who need computer access to attend the virtual career fair or to access the online exam may visit a New York State Department of Labor Career Center. They should first fill out this form to ensure computer availability. Candidates may also visit a SUNY Educational Opportunity Center for computer access.

SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, “This exam is the next step for our SUNY graduates and soon-to-be graduating seniors to be eligible for hundreds of New York state jobs. For those interested in a career in public service, and the chance to help solve for the needs of our communities, this is the time to apply. Our thanks to our partners within the Department of Civil Service for making the exam more accessible than ever so that more New Yorkers can avail themselves of this opportunity.”

As part of the launch of the PCO exam, New York state has launched a statewide social media campaign, which will include videos and web content to help attract candidates to apply for the exam. Campaign content and additional information and resources to help candidates complete the exam is available at www.cs.ny.gov/pco.

The PCO exam is one civil service exam that is used by state agencies to fill more than 150 different entry-level professional job types across a wide range of discipline, including health and human services, environmental conservation, human resources, administrative analysis, and transportation. The majority of positions filled through this exam require two-year traineeships during which individuals gain the necessary knowledge and experience to perform the full responsibilities of the position.

Job seekers can visit the New York State Job Bank, an online resource maintained by the New York State Department of Labor featuring 250,000 available positions across the state. NYSDOL also has several resources on its website to help job seekers with resumes, interview tips, training opportunities including apprenticeships, and much more.

To learn more about working for the state of New York and how to take the next step in pursuing a career in public service, visit the Department of Civil Service website or follow the department on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.