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Exam 7609: Transit Electrical Helper


Jeffrey7492

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So here's my story.  I think I sent this experience test in last February maybe.  Forgot about it.  Got a letter late September early October to go for that Safety Proficiency Test lol.  2 weeks ago got the "Temp" letter and to come in for the drug screening.  Did that and of course they tell you that you should hear from them in 90 days.  A week later I was back for the physical.  So needless to say I was going through all the steps bit very hesitant because of "Temp".  The physical paper was marked "perm" and "appnt" which seems like permanent appointment but after being sworn in this Appointment notice does say 5.4.2B Temporary Appointment.  I asked the H.R. lady that swore me in what exactly did that mean.  She said it was nothing and that they just didn't establish the list yet.  She saw my list number and said that was good a good number but that it could change.  She was helpful but Id be lying if I said I wasn't nervous as all hell leaving a good job for something labeled TEMP.  She made it seem like it was nothing to worry about but like I said leaving my job is the part that makes me worry.

 

By the way, reading rule 5.4.2B doesn't do much to help lol.  There probably is nothing to worry about BUT that one word TEMP is a killer.  I am guessing most are going to orientation with the Union tomorrow?  I would think they will spell it all out for us there.  The H.R. woman did say there wouldnt be another test to take to get to permanent.  Just the list being established.  So I hope we hear be a good employee, show up on time, do your job and after a year you are good to go. 

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On 11/3/2017 at 12:27 PM, Dave2836 said:

The practical comes when you apply for the promotion or open competitive position for either light maintainer, transit electromechanical maintainer (E&E or V&D), power distribution, power maintainer, eletronic equipment maintainer, or telephone maintainer.  Those are permanent positions.

Little tidbit, if you have not been drafted into Signal Maintainer Trainee, you have the opportunity to get into Elevator and Escalator.  Elevator and escalator SPECIALIST is one of the highest paying hourly positions in Transit.

Electronic Equipment Maintainer is also another well paying position.

On the exam notification it had signals listed as the highest pay rate.  I guess the pay grades change for the titles once you move up from helper?

Funny thing, I passed the practical for Elevators and Escalators.  I got a letter in the mail that said I didn't meet requirements.  You obviously had to have some E and E experience.  I didn't.  So I passed, but no not really LOL.  

 

But let me ask you a question.  It doesn't say I am a signal maintainer trainee.  A trainee is a higher pay rate at 22 something an hour.  I am listed as Electrical Helper Signals.  How do you get to be a Signals Maintainer trainee?

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On 11/4/2017 at 7:35 AM, tprashad0719 said:

I never took a safety proficiency assessment as yet, I took the Practical for Signal Maintainer in april 2017 and received a letter to come in which was OCT 2017, so basically the way you got in was with a resume ? never took a written or practical as yet? or they want with your education and experience only?

You took the Maintainers test.  We are all coming in as Helpers.  Sounds like you are coming in at the higher level.

 

Anybody else put in for the Light Maintainer a few months ago?  I did.  I asked the H.R. woman if I could take that test still and she laughed.  She said of course, why wouldn't you.  It's more money.  And I wouldn't have to do all this paperwork over again.

 

The way I look at it, I think unless you are a complete screw up why would they invest this much time and money into hiring you if they just wanted to get rid of you quick.  They aren't gonna waste time and money training people to get rid of them just to do it all over again.  That would t make much sense.

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On 11/3/2017 at 12:44 PM, Dave2836 said:

Not saying you can't get into elevator escalator, but you have to meet the qualifications for the elevator escalator TEMM OPEN COMPETITVE test when the next NOE comes out, file for the test, take the practical, wait to be called, then go through the hiring process again.

And yes, once you complete your training service as a Signal Maintainer Trainee, you will become a signal maintainer without having to take further tests, as per the NOE for #7609.

Again, if you are temporary, it is temporary until otherwise notified.

My suggestion is if you like the culture down here, then become permanent first and figure it out from there.

Oh I definitely want to be in the MTA Dave, it's why up front I'm taking a pay cut just to get in as a helper.  Just the whole Temporary aspect has me nervous.  I'm hoping becoming permanent doesn't become a long drawn out process.  Anything Temp for too long can't be good.

 

Once you complete signal maintainer trainee, which I don't think I am because that is a higher pay rate I think I am just signals helper, is Signal Maintainer a permanent position?

Edited by Farjo33
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Signal helper and signal maintainer are both permanent, a buddy of mines who is currently a signal maintainer told me they put TEMP because the list wasn' established as yet and incase there is a layoff they put TEMP to cover there asses..but so far I never heard Mta laying off people

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1 hour ago, tprashad0719 said:

Signal helper and signal maintainer are both permanent, a buddy of mines who is currently a signal maintainer told me they put TEMP because the list wasn' established as yet and incase there is a layoff they put TEMP to cover there asses..but so far I never heard Mta laying off people

Okay so let's say I'm a signal helper and I get sworn in and everything then the list is established will I be layed off?

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On 11/5/2017 at 10:39 AM, Dave2836 said:

There are guys down here who were provisional for decades, but as long as there is a need for the position, they will still have a job, provided they don't improperly perform their duties.

Dave, why on earth don't they go permanent?

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1 hour ago, moussaberte said:

Hey Jake did you go do anything today classes or anything? And the questions not only for Jake anyone who did something can feel free to answer 

At 8am I went to 195 montague st for 1st day orientation, maybe 200 people, different titles, about 30 electrical helpers, bunch of speakers from various departments, nothing too memorable.. signed up for 401k, waiting to hear about TWU dental plan tomorrow, was also issued a pass / metrocard. Left by 4pm.

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26 minutes ago, jake3178 said:

At 8am I went to 195 montague st for 1st day orientation, maybe 200 people, different titles, about 30 electrical helpers, bunch of speakers from various departments, nothing too memorable.. signed up for 401k, waiting to hear about TWU dental plan tomorrow, was also issued a pass / metrocard. Left by 4pm.

That's good to hear keep us posted about what happens tomorrow 

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There is a passage in the book they handed out today that has me nervous a bit.  

 

"Provisional Employment never becomes permanent"

"To gain permanent status Provisional employees must take and pass the appropriate exam and be appointed from a certified list"

"Provisional Employment should not extend beyond 9 months"

 

So obviously the last part has me scared you know what.  Gotta find out what that means tomorrow when they go over that section.

 

I have no problem taking the test, problem is even if they announced a test tomorrow typically it takes YEARS before they call off a list.  

 

I'm excited about the opportunity but this provisional section kinda took the wind outta my sails a bit.  Especially when I thought the HR ladies answer put the issue to rest.  That there was just no list yet and that's why I was temp and that once the list was established that's when you would become permanent.  That doesn't seem right to me now

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36 minutes ago, Farjo33 said:

There is a passage in the book they handed out today that has me nervous a bit.  

 

"Provisional Employment never becomes permanent"

"To gain permanent status Provisional employees must take and pass the appropriate exam and be appointed from a certified list"

"Provisional Employment should not extend beyond 9 months"

 

So obviously the last part has me scared you know what.  Gotta find out what that means tomorrow when they go over that section.

 

I have no problem taking the test, problem is even if they announced a test tomorrow typically it takes YEARS before they call off a list.  

 

I'm excited about the opportunity but this provisional section kinda took the wind outta my sails a bit.  Especially when I thought the HR ladies answer put the issue to rest.  That there was just no list yet and that's why I was temp and that once the list was established that's when you would become permanent.  That doesn't seem right to me now

But aren' we temporar and not provisioal?

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from talking to people who work inside transit for 10 years plus this is what I can share,

when you go in as a person with experience and education BUT DIDNT take the test, you will have to take the test in order to become permanent , if you don't pass the test I believe you can take the test as much times as you can, BUT keep in mind for those who pass the test will have more seniority over you and basically you will be at the bottom of the barrel , MTA tells you these things so they can cover them selves so incase there is a layoff the TEMPS aka Provisional  will be layed off first.....DONT fear , just do your job and keep low from the radar , as stated people been on this job for 10 years plus and never passed the test, there still TEMP aka Provisionals

 

as for passing the test, you will get a list#. For example..i took the Signal Maintainer practical in April and got a letter before the list was even established which was in Oct. 2017, not even 1 year passed, even though I passed the practical my paper states TEMP on it because the list hasn't been established as yet and then when it does I will have to wait for them to reach my list# so on and all this will be basically 2+ years for me to become permanent and DONT forget probation is another 1 year  

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Okay so I took the helpers test the spa I got a letter with a list number dies that mean that the list is made even tho me taking the test and me getting the letter was only like 2 months apart?

4 minutes ago, tprashad0719 said:

from talking to people who work inside transit for 10 years plus this is what I can share,

when you go in as a person with experience and education BUT DIDNT take the test, you will have to take the test in order to become permanent , if you don't pass the test I believe you can take the test as much times as you can, BUT keep in mind for those who pass the test will have more seniority over you and basically you will be at the bottom of the barrel , MTA tells you these things so they can cover them selves so incase there is a layoff the TEMPS aka Provisional  will be layed off first.....DONT fear , just do your job and keep low from the radar , as stated people been on this job for 10 years plus and never passed the test, there still TEMP aka Provisionals

 

as for passing the test, you will get a list#. For example..i took the Signal Maintainer practical in April and got a letter before the list was even established which was in Oct. 2017, not even 1 year passed, even though I passed the practical my paper states TEMP on it because the list hasn't been established as yet and then when it does I will have to wait for them to reach my list# so on and all this will be basically 2+ years for me to become permanent and DONT forget probation is another 1 year  

 

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3 hours ago, Farjo33 said:

There is a passage in the book they handed out today that has me nervous a bit.  

 

"Provisional Employment never becomes permanent"

"To gain permanent status Provisional employees must take and pass the appropriate exam and be appointed from a certified list"

"Provisional Employment should not extend beyond 9 months"

 

So obviously the last part has me scared you know what.  Gotta find out what that means tomorrow when they go over that section.

 

I have no problem taking the test, problem is even if they announced a test tomorrow typically it takes YEARS before they call off a list.  

 

I'm excited about the opportunity but this provisional section kinda took the wind outta my sails a bit.  Especially when I thought the HR ladies answer put the issue to rest.  That there was just no list yet and that's why I was temp and that once the list was established that's when you would become permanent.  That doesn't seem right to me now

So at this moment it's like any other job.  If you can, spend some time down here, maybe a full year to see how it's like (summer and winter jobs offer different experiences).  The MTA needs bodies to fill skilled positions.  There are literally not enough people available to do all the jobs.

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1 minute ago, Dave2836 said:

So at this moment it's like any other job.  If you can, spend some time down here, maybe a full year to see how it's like (summer and winter jobs offer different experiences).  The MTA needs bodies to fill skilled positions.  There are literally not enough people available to do all the jobs.

But he said that provisonals do not extend after 9 months so how can we stay for a year?

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Who says the MTA doesn't make exceptions?  You got invited to pre-employment, and eventually final processing.  At training and on the road everyone will tell you the same phrases "It's your job to lose", or "You fire yourself".

Follow the rules, learn the job, be ready to take every test.

If you still have doubts, then there are two options for you:

1) Take the job and see what it's all about.

2) Don't take the job and wait for the certified list to come out and come back to this thread to ask the same questions and have the same doubts again.

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