Jobs with Minimal Experience or Education Requirements

Recently I was discussing with some colleagues, as well as in earlier posts, the candidates that I’ve interviewed for city jobs. Typically, they’re someone who has some (or a lot) of experience. Perhaps they have college, maybe several certifications or similar credentials.

However, not all city jobs need education above high school, or require special credentials or certifications.

If you are looking for a city job but don’t think you have enough education or experience, let’s take a look at a couple that have minimal requirements – some that can be applied for at the DCAS website at the time of this writing (October 2016). For some of these the filing period closes at the end of the month. But many of them show up regularly and you need to visit the DCAS website at least monthly, if not weekly, to see what new jobs are available. You must also look at the details within the Notice of Examination (NOE) to make sure you meet the minimum qualifications.

Correction Officer

Correction Officer  has several filing dates  through 2017.

correction-noe-dates-numbers-10202016

If you are a veteran or have service in the reserves, you just need to pass the test and get called from the list:

correction-how-to-qualify

Environmental Police Officer

Environmental Police Officer has a similar qualification requirement:

environmental-po-how-to-qualify

School Safety Agent

School Safety Agent has an age requirement of 21 but only a high school diploma or equivalent for education:

school-safety-agent-education-how-to-qualify

There are several other titles that also have minimal requirements. These would include Traffic Enforcement Agent, Special Officer, Transit Property Protection Agent, among others. Stock Worker and Clerical Aide have no formal education or experience requirements at all!

Now, some of these titles do not have an upcoming test this city fiscal year (starts July 1st and ends June 30th) but not too long after the start of the new fiscal year, DCAS posts the list of exams scheduled for the year. You can check them out at the DCAS website or find them in The Chief newspaper – the paper to read if you want the latest on upcoming exams, test results, and other NYC civil service system activities.

But that doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t be hired as a provisional. If an agency has a position to fill, and there is no active list or upcoming test, they may hire you provisionally. But this administration is trying to cut down on the number of provisionals in the system (a good thing) and an agency would need to put up a good argument to be allowed to hire someone provisionally.

On another note, I saw a tweet from NYC DCAS that there will be a NYC Job Fair on November 2nd, 2016 at the Hotel Pennsylvania, 401 7th Avenue, Penntop Ballroom, 18th Floor. You must pre-register here . I don’t see it at their website, though. I’ll advise as soon as I get more details.

slide1In the meantime, good luck in your searches.

Questions and Comments welcomed below.

2 thoughts on “Jobs with Minimal Experience or Education Requirements”

    1. Hi Ivy,

      I believe he can apply, but in most cases he’ll need the high school diploma as a minimum requirement.

      Some, like this from the Correction Officer Notice of Examination, has a clear age requirement:

      “Minimum Age Requirement: You must be at least 17 ½ years of age by the date you take the multiple-choice test. Additionally, you must have attained age 21 to be appointed as a Correction Officer. If you are too young
      for appointment on the date the eligible list is terminated, you will have no further opportunity for appointment from this list.”

      So, make sure he reads the Notice of Examinations for any age limitations and other experience requirements.

      Good luck to both of you! – Chris

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