Quote:
Originally Posted by Jsliz
Thanks for the reply. I have zero issue with telling the truth and putting it on the form. I know a record would show up, regardless. My concern is that another city agency (law enforcement) did hold it against me and I was ineligible for employment. I was trying to find out if that would be the case with the MTA?
Who conducts the investigation? MTA, NYPD, DCAS?
Also my list number is in the 700's. Would I have a strong chance of being appointed with the MTA, assuming I met all of their qualifications and standards?
I have been reading the forum for a while. We all appreciate your (and Motorman Mike) information and feedback.
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Arrests mean nothing. Convictions are what will be a problem. For Example , there are two applicants - One was arrested for murder , convicted , went to prison for 18 years , had the conviction OVERTURNED and was released. He now has NO convictions , even though he spent 18 years in prison. He can be hired.
Applicant number two is arrested for a drunken bar fight where he broke a guys nose. He pleads guilty to felony assault , pays a fine , does five years probation , never spends a day in jail. He has a CONVICTION. He may not be hired for the position of Train Operator. I am not talking about other titles , such as cleaner , only Train Operator.
On the background application they do not ask you to list arrests. Only convictions. If you do not have convicitions , you have no convictions. You don't need to volunteer an arrest record if you have no convictions.
They will print you. If you lie about anything , they will know. But you could have been arrested 50 times , if you were never CONVICTED of anything , you are fine.
They do an inkless fingerprinting on a computer and it's sent to the FBI which lets them know immediately if you are ok to hire. It's kind of like an instant background check , for example like is done in cities or states where someone can purchase a firearm , unlike new york.
If the FBI says you are not OK to hire , they don't tell the MTA why , the MTA just let's you know you are disqualified. If the FBI says you ARE OK to hire , then the MTA does not have to hire you , but it then becomes their option.
If someone were arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession with no prior record , you most likely got an ACD and had the case dismissed six months later , therefore you have no convictions.
The MTA does drug test both for hiring , for incidents , for cause , and random drug tests. In four and a half years , I have been drug tested between hiring and randoms about seven times. So if you do like to use anything you shouldn't , or if you have a drinking problem and you want to be a train operator , you are going to have to give it up fast. If you don't have a problem , then nothing to worry about.
For misdemeanor convictions the MTA can hire on a case by case basis. They will not hire you for Train Operator with felony convictions. Even certain misdemeanors will likely disqualify and applicant from T/O.
The bottom line is , don't lie , they will find out , but don't volunteer anything you are not directly asked about , and you will be fine.
Good luck
PS - About the driving record , You must disclose it. As long as you don't owe any money for any fines you may have received , my guess is you should be ok.
PSS - To poster concerned about the eye exam - They do test your vision obviously. It is a pretty thorough test. I am not sure if being color blind is a disqualification because as long as you can see where a signal is lit (ie - the top , middle , or bottom) you will know what to do at each signal. However , I will ask around and see if I can get any further feedback. If you are disqualified just in case , contact a civil service lawyer. They have numbers in the paper The Chief for them , and ask for firther advice.
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