GOT-IT

Utility Consumer Program Specialist Trainee

Similar to Grade 11

New York State has approximately 7 positions* in this title statewide. You may view a breakdown of positions by county. This position exists in Public Service, Department of. View links to all New York State agencies including agencies that have this title. For more information, New York State employees can contact the Career Mobility Office at (518) 485-6199 or (800) 553-1322. If you are not a current New York State employee, you can use the Department of Civil Service Web site to explore possible employment opportunities.

*The number of positions is approximate and represents the number of positions established (both filled and vacant); it is not an indication or reference to position type or duration, or intent to be filled. If you are viewing a trainee title, please note this number reflects the number of positions established at the journey level. Agencies may fill at the trainee level(s) or at the journey level based on employee qualifications. GOT-IT does not provide information on any job postings or job availability. For information on current job postings, please visit State Jobs NY. You may also visit specific New York State Agency websites for information about an agency and its job opportunities.

Career Ladder

A listing of titles that are most commonly used as steps for upward mobility for this title series. The salary schedule for this career ladder is also available.

  1. Utility Consumer Program Specialist Trainee

    Similar to Grade 11

  2. Utility Consumer Program Specialist 1

    Grade 14

  3. Utility Consumer Program Specialist 2

    Grade 18

  4. Utility Consumer Program Specialist 3

    Grade 23

  5. Utility Consumer Program Specialist 4

    Grade 27

  6. Utility Consumer Program Specialist 5

    Grade 31

Upon successful completion of 12 months as Utility Consumer Program Specialist Trainee, you will automatically advance to Utility Consumer Program Specialist 1.

Note on Traineeships: When current State employees with prior graded State service transition into traineeships, there will be cases where these individuals will be compensated at a higher rate than the hiring rate of the "equated salary grade" of a traineeship. Specifically, in these cases, the starting compensation of a traineeship will be the higher of either: 1) the hiring rate of the "equated salary grade;" or 2) an employee's current graded salary. For those current State employees with no prior graded service who transition into traineeships, these individuals will be compensated at the hiring rate of the "equated salary grade." Overall, because of the various intricacies associated with the State's salary mechanics, the Office of the State Comptroller should be consulted regarding the actual compensation paid to any State employee transiting to a traineeship.

Summary of Job Description

As a Utility Consumer Program Specialist Trainee, you would perform a variety of duties in connection with a statewide consumer education program and with the oversight of energy, telecommunications, cable, and water service providers in New York State. Tasks may include advocating for residential customer interests in utility rate cases and other Commission proceedings, participating in the design and implementation of the Department’s outreach and education program, and monitoring utility customer education, customer service, low income, and metering programs. You may assist in the preparation of educational materials and direct mailings; staff exhibits at public events; assist at public statement hearings; and make presentations and/or seek public input in a variety of forums. You may also assist in the evaluation of metering equipment and processes; review and monitor rate plan incentive programs; evaluate utility emergency plans and responses to electric and natural gas outages; and participate in the review of utility customer education plans.

There is no classification standard available at this time for this title. For additional information regarding other titles this will bring you to the NYS Title and Salary Plan. If there is a classification standard available there will be a link under the column labeled STD NO. If no link is available there is no classification standard available at this time for that title.

Summary of Minimum Qualifications

Please note: qualifications for this position may be subject to change. If substitutions for education and/or experience are allowed, this information would be available on the announcement.

You must take and pass a Civil Service examination in order to be considered for this position.

There are two examinations for this position. Please note: New York State employees may qualify for both.  

For employees of New York State, on or before the date of the examination, the candidate must be a qualified employee of the New York State Department of Public Service and have had permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as either:

1. two years in a title allocated to G-6 or higher.

OR

2. one year in a title allocated to G-9 or higher.


For all other qualified individuals, on or before the date of the examination, the candidate must have two years of experience in one or more of the following:

Investigating customer inquiries and complaints as a customer service representative or responding to customer inquiries in a call center environment;

Developing public awareness or consumer education programs relating to utility matters including, but not limited to, presentations to consumers, consumer advocates, regulatory agency personnel, or utility industry representatives;

Conducting investigations involving energy, telecommunications, water, or cable service;

Analyzing and/or researching information or data related to energy, telecommunications, water, or cable service;

Designing survey instruments to measure and track customer satisfaction in utility industries, or analyzing and/or preparing reports on results of such surveys;

Conducting inspections or tests of energy or water meters or telecommunications devices; or

Analyzing utility customer education programs and/or customer service performance.

Substitution: Thirty (30) college semester credit hours in electrical technology, telecommunications technology, engineering technology, engineering, or communications may be substituted for one year of the required two years of experience. An associate’s degree or sixty (60) college semester credit hours in any of these areas may be substituted for the required two years of experience.

For informational purposes only, click on the examination number(s) listed below to see the current or previous examination(s) that are used to fill this title.

00-351 26-156

How to Apply

When this examination is scheduled to be held, the announcement can be found on the Department of Civil Service, Examination Announcements web page. If you do not see an examination currently scheduled please check back on a monthly basis or sign up for announcement notification by email so that you will automatically be notified when new examinations are being offered.

Career Mobility

Career mobility is not just limited to the titles in the Career Ladder, above. Additional movement may be achieved through other examinations, additional education and/or work experience or transfer opportunities. For additional information or clarification of transfer determinations, current State employees should contact the Career Mobility Office. Visit ELMS Online to view established open-competitive, promotion, and transition eligible lists. If you are not a current New York State employee, see Employment Opportunities with New York State and find out how to become a New York State employee.

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