NYC Civil Service Problem Sensitivity and Judgment Questions and Answers

Question 1

A city parks employee, while cleaning a playground, finds a wallet on a bench.
The wallet contains a driver's license, credit cards, and a significant amount of cash.
What is the most appropriate immediate action for the employee to take?

Accepted Answer

Secure the wallet and immediately report the finding to their direct supervisor or the designated lost-and-found authority.

Answer

Use the driver's license to look up the owner's address online and attempt to return it after their shift.

Answer

Leave the wallet where it is, assuming the owner will return for it.

Answer

Take the cash as a reward and turn in the rest of the wallet to a supervisor.

Question 2

You are a city office administrator reviewing employee expense reports. City policy states that all travel expenses over $25 require an itemized receipt and that meal reimbursements are not permitted for non-overnight travel. Which of the following expense report entries represents a problem that requires follow-up?

Accepted Answer

A claim for a $15.00 lunch during a regular workday with an itemized receipt.

Answer

A supply purchase of $24.50 with a standard credit card slip.

Answer

A taxi fare of $30.00 with a fully itemized receipt.

Answer

A subway fare of $5.50 with no receipt.

Question 3

A city librarian is approached by a teenager who is visibly upset and distressed. The teenager quietly asks for information on youth shelters and crisis hotlines but seems hesitant to provide any personal details. What is the librarian's most appropriate response in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Discreetly provide the requested information, such as pamphlets or a list of resources, and let them know they are in a safe place.

Answer

Insist the teenager provide their name and reason for needing the information before helping.

Answer

Tell the teenager that the library is not the right place for such inquiries and direct them elsewhere.

Answer

Immediately call security to report a potentially endangered youth.

Question 4

You are working at the front desk of a busy city agency. At the same moment, the following four events occur. Which of these should you address first?

Accepted Answer

An elderly visitor trips on a rug and appears to be in pain.

Answer

The main phone line, which has been ringing for a while, starts ringing again.

Answer

A delivery person arrives with a package that requires a signature.

Answer

A coworker asks for your help with a jammed copy machine.

Question 5

A city planner has access to confidential bids submitted by several construction companies for a major infrastructure project. Before the official selection is made, the planner mentions to a friend who works at one of the bidding companies that their company's bid is 'looking very competitive.' Which of the following is the most serious potential problem with the planner's action?

Accepted Answer

It could be perceived as a breach of confidentiality and compromise the integrity of the bidding process.

Answer

It may cause the friend to become overconfident and stop trying.

Answer

It violates the city's policy on after-hours communication.

Answer

It may lead to other companies withdrawing their bids immediately.

Question 6

While inspecting a residential street for potholes, a Department of Transportation employee is approached by a resident who complains angrily about a neighbor's overgrown hedge blocking the sidewalk. The employee's job is to report road conditions, not property violations. Based on the principle of providing helpful public service, what is the employee's best course of action?

Accepted Answer

Listen to the complaint politely and advise the resident on the correct procedure, such as calling 311 or contacting the appropriate city agency.

Answer

Tell the resident that it is not their responsibility and walk away.

Answer

Agree with the resident and promise to speak to the neighbor about it personally.

Answer

Ignore the resident's complaint and continue focusing solely on inspecting for potholes.

A city parks employee, while cleaning a playground, finds a wallet on a bench.The wallet contains a driver's license, credit cards, and a significant amount of cash.What is the most appropriate immediate action for the employee to take?

A city parks employee, while cleaning a playground, finds a wallet on a bench.
The wallet contains a driver's license, credit cards, and a significant amount of cash.
What is the most appropriate immediate action for the employee to take?