NYS Forest Ranger

[uofsBolts35]

I am looking for a career change and have been heavily considering a NYS Forest Ranger.

The last exam was given in November 2007, but since there are no others scheduled (i believe they are every two years) I am unable to get the exam guide from the NYS Civil Service Website. Since my Bachelors degree in mathematics does not meet the minimum requirements, I have to take some additional college courses and figure i would take the ones that prepared me best for the exam if i knew what was on it.

Does anyone have an electronic copy or know of a publication of an exam guide?? or any good advice??

[uofsBolts35]

I guess I'm up a creak without a study guide on this one :p

[John2008]

Most LE exam don't offer study guides, since the test is mainly reading comprehension.

[NYPD Ret]

Try here - archived exam

http://www.cs.state.ny.us/announarchive/announcements/24-809.cfm

From the announcement:

Subject of Examination

There will be a written test which you must pass in order to be considered for appointment. The written test is designed to test for knowledge, skills, and/or abilities in such areas as:

1. Memory for facts and information - These questions test for the ability to remember facts and information presented in written form. You will be given 5 minutes to read and study the information in the Memory Booklet. After the 5-minute period, the Memory Booklet will be taken away. You will then be required to answer questions about the material that was presented in the Memory Booklet.
2. Preparing written material in a police setting - These questions test for the ability to prepare the types of reports that police officers write. You will be presented with a page of notes followed by several questions. Each question will consist of four restatements of the information given in the notes. From each set of four, you must choose the version that presents the information most clearly and accurately.
3. Reading, understanding, and interpreting written information - These questions test for the ability to read, understand, and interpret the kinds of written information that police officers are required to read during their formal training period and on the job.
4. Applying written information (rules, regulations, policies, procedures, directives, etc.) in police situations - These questions test for the ability to apply written rules in given situations similar to those typically experienced by police officers.
5. Wilderness management and outdoor recreation, tree and plant identification, map interpretation and surveying - These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices of outdoor recreation on forest lands and management for public recreational use and other purposes; identification and characteristics of trees and other plants found in New York State forests; and understanding and interpreting maps and surveying fundamentals.
6. Natural resources ecology including conservation of soil, water, air and wildlife resources - These questions test for basic practical knowledge of fish, wildlife, and other natural resources; outdoor recreation; forestry; and environmental awareness.

[uofsBolts35]

Thanks for the feedback. It's the 5th and 6th parts that i am most concerned with.

In your experiences, do you think the subject specific questions would be more broad or very specific??

[uofsBolts35]

I called the Department of Civil Service the other day and spoke to the woman in charge of the Forest Ranger Exam and she mailed me a copy of an old Exam Guide. The questions look like they are pretty specific in terms of identifying certain trees from NYS and specifics about map reading...

thanks for everyone's input