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1. How do I apply for an examination?

In order to apply for an examination, you must submit a completed application, the examination fee, and supporting documentation to our Office by the application deadline specified in the Examination Announcement.

Applications 

Applications may be picked up at our office, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm or a writable PDF version is available here.  If you choose to download and complete the PDF version, you must print the completed application and submit a hard copy to our Office  following the instructions below.  To obtain an application by mail, send in a self-addressed, stamped Number 10 envelope with two first-class stamps and the title of the examination clearly written on the back flap of the envelope. This envelope must be received at least five days before the filing deadline.

Examination Fee

There is a $40 non-refundable examination fee.  Payment is accepted by credit card, certified bank check or money order made payable to:   TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD.  If payment is made by credit card, the transaction must be completed in person and a non-refundable transaction fee will apply.   NO CASH OR PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  The fee must be submitted for each separately numbered examination for which you apply. However, the fee may be waived if you are a Town of Hempstead resident who is unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household, or are receiving public assistance.

Submitting the Application

Applications and the accompanying fee payment and documentation must be submitted in person to this Office on or before the last date of filing (application deadline) or sent by mail with the date of the postmark on or before application deadline.  Applications submitted or postmarked after the deadline will not be accepted. If you choose to download and complete the PDF version of the application, it  must be printed and a hard copy must be submitted to this Office by the application deadline. 

2. How do I apply for a fee waiver?

Fees shall be waived for candidates who certify to this commission that they are unemployed and primarily responsible for the support of a household or receiving public assistance. Please obtain the "Application Fee Waiver Request and Certification Form" from this office. Amendment §50.5(b) of the New York State Civil Service Law requires municipal commissions to waive application fees for candidates who meet this criteria. All claims for application fee waiver are subject to verification and must be submitted with your application by the close of business on the application deadline as stated on the examination announcement.

3. Will my application processing fee be refunded if my examination application is disapproved?

No. The application processing fee cannot be refunded.

4. Do I have to be a Town of Hempstead resident to apply for the examination?

Yes, to fulfill the standard residency requirement, each candidate for an open competitive examination must have been a bona fide resident and dweller of the Town of Hempstead for at least four months immediately preceding the advertised date of examination. All applications must be submitted with a copy of your New York State Driver's License or Identification Card issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (or other proof of residency).

5. How do I know if I am qualified to take an exam? What happens if I am disqualified?

The minimum qualifications for each examination are stated in the examination announcement. You are strongly encouraged to review these qualifications, prior to submitting your application, to determine if you meet them. Failure to meet these qualifications at the time of examination will result in the disqualification of your application. Applications submitted without proper payment submitted incompletely, or without the required documentation, certificates, licenses, diplomas, and/or transcripts, and forms may also be disqualified.

The application fee is non-refundable even if you are disqualified from taking an examination. However, if your application is rejected, you will be notified as to the reason and can appeal the decision by contacting this office.

6. What should I submit as proof if the examination requires a high school diploma/equivalency or education beyond high school?

If graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma is required for eligibility, you must submit a copy of your high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma with your application. If education beyond high school is required for eligibility, official college transcript/s must be forwarded directly to this commission from your college or university. Note: We retain a copy on file of all submitted high school diplomas and official college transcripts; therefore, if you have the appropriate necessary documents already on file with us, let us know by making a notation (Question Number 14) on your application.

7. When will I receive my admittance notice?

The notice of admittance, informing the candidate of the location and time of the examination, is mailed to approved candidates one week prior to the examination. If the notice is not received by the Wednesday before the examination, you should call 489-5000 ext. 3389 for information.

8. Where are the examinations held?

The site and scheduled time for your particular examination will be printed on your admittance notice. You will also be given a list of what you should bring (photo ID, Number 2 pencils, calculator, etc.), as supplies are not provided.

9. What if I am signed up to take multiple examinations from different municipalities on the same day?

If you have applied for a Town of Hempstead examination and another examination with a different municipality (New York State, county, town, etc.) please notate this on your application (Question Number 5) or call 516-489-5000, ext. 3389. No later than three weeks before the exam date for arrangements to take all the exams at one site.

10. How do I request special arrangements for an examination?

A written request for special arrangements must be made to this office at the time of applying for the examination. You must clearly state the type of special arrangement that is needed, as well as provide official documentation as to why the special arrangements are necessary.

11. Are there study guides available for the examinations?

If study guides are available online from NYS Civil Service, it will be stated on the examination announcement. Otherwise, it is the responsibility of the candidate to find his/her own study material. The subjects of the examination are also stated on the announcement.

12. What happens after I take the examination?

In approximately six months, you will receive your grade and your list position in the mail. 

13. What happens if I move to a new address?

It is your responsibility to notify this office in writing of any change of address. Please do not assume that your mail will be forwarded in sufficient time to respond to any notice or request for a position.

14. How do I claim Veterans Credits for military service on an examination?

To claim veteran credits on an examination/s, an applicant must have served in the United States Armed Forces at any time during the following dates:

• World War II - December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
• Korean Conflict - June 27, 1950 - January 31, 1955
• Vietnam Conflict - February 28, 1961, to and including May 7, 1975
• Lebanon - June 1, 1983, to and including December 1, 1987
• Grenada - October 23, 1983, to and including November 21, 1983
• Panama - December 20, 1989, to and including January 31, 1990
• Persian Gulf - August 2, 1990, to the end of such hostilities (not yet determined)

Credit for Lebanon, Grenada, and Panama will be limited to those who received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal or the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal. The DD-214 Form that has always been required to verify military service should also contain verification of possession of expeditionary medals for Lebanon, Grenada or Panama.

A disabled or non-disabled veteran who wishes to establish eligibility for additional credits MUST claim these credits with the filing of the application. The necessary forms are available in our Office. Non-disabled veterans will be awarded 5.0 points. Disabled veterans will be awarded 10.0 points. Disabled veterans must have a minimum of a 10% disability that can be verified by the Veteran's Administration. Promotional examination candidates will be awarded 2.5 credits for non-disabled veterans and 5.0 credits for disabled veterans. You will be allowed the option of waiving these credits after the completion of the examination or after the eligible list for the examination is established. Veteran Credits will be awarded only to passing candidates.

Note: If this commission is not in receipt of the necessary documentation, once the eligible list is established, you will not be granted veterans credits.