More Resources

What Makes A Great Manager?
Supervision tips and free resources.  Answers to supervision and management situations.

Winning cover letters and resumes lead to winning interviews - Try the recommended resources below:

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Building and Facilities

Testing for most civil service jobs happens only periodically and sometimes as little as once every two years.  An exam may consist of one test or a number of different tests.  Note that once you pass the test and you're on a civil service list, you'll be interviewed to determine if you receive a job offer.  Make the most of your opportunity with the resources below.

• General

• Carpentry

• Electrical

• Facility

• Grounds

• HVAC

• Machinist

• Plant

• Plumbing

• Welding

• Complete Interview Guide
  Learn how to answer questions so that no matter what an interviewer asks you, you'll be calm, cool, and confident with 3 practice interviews.

General

1. Building Codes Illustrated, Francis D. K. Ching, 2012 - RECOMMENDED

2. International Building Code 2012 International Code Council, 2012 - RECOMMENDED

3. International Energy Conservation Code 2012 International Code Council, 2011 

4. International Fire Code 2012 International Code Council, 2011 

5. International Fuel Gas Code 2011 International Code Council, 2011

6. International Mechanical Code 2011 International Code Council, 2011 

7. International Plumbing Code 2011 International Code Council, 2011

8. International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings 2011 International Code Council, 2011

9. National Electric Code 2011 National Fire Protection Council, 2010

10. National Electric Safety Code 2012, David Marne, 2011

Carpentry

1. Carpenter, Jack Rudman, 2014

2. Carpentry and Building Construction, John Louis Feirer, 1997

3. Modern Carpentry: Essential Skills for the Building Trades, Willis H. Wagner, 2007

Electrical

• National Electrical Code quizzes from Thomson Delmar Learning include commercial wiring, grounding, industrial wiring, installation and inspection, interpreting the NEC and residential wiring.

1. American Electricians' Handbook, Terrell Croft, 2013

2. Audel Questions and Answers for Electricians Examinations: 1999 NEC Rulings Included, Paul Rosenberg, 1999

3. Certified Electronic Technician (CET), Jack Rudman, 2003

4. Certified Electronics Technician (CET) Study Guide, Joseph A. Risse, 1995

5. Electrician and Electrician's Helper, 8th Ed, Rex Miller, 1999

6. Electrician's Exam Preparation, Michael Holt, 1999

7. Schaum's Outline of Basic Mathematics for Electricity and Electronics, Arthur Beiser, 1993

Facility

1. Administrative Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, Jack Rudman, 2008

2. Bricklayer, Jack Rudman, 2009

3. Building Mechanical Engineer, Jack Rudman, 2009

4. Building Maintenance Supervisor, Jack Rudman, 2005

5. Construction and Maintenance Supervisor, Jack Rudman, 2005

6. Custodian, Jack Rudman, 2006

7. Elevator Mechanic, Jack Rudman, 2003 

8. Facility Management Assistant, Jack Rudman, 2005

9. General Supervisor of Building Maintenance (Construction), Jack Rudman, 2001  

10. Head Custodian, Jack Rudman, 2004 

11. Head Stationary Engineer, Jack Rudman, 2002 

12. Housing Maintenance Helper, Jack Rudman, 2005 

13. Locksmith, Jack Rudman, 2001

14. Maintenance Mechanic, Jack Rudman, 2005

15. Maintenance Painter, Jack Rudman, 2002

16. Plant Utilities Assistant, Jack Rudman, 2003

17. Preventive Maintenance Supervisor, Jack Rudman, 2003

18. Senior Maintenance Worker, Jack Rudman, 2009

19. Supervising Plant Utilities Engineer, Jack Rudman, 2006

20. Supervisor of Mechanical Installations, Jack Rudman, 2008

Grounds

1. Gardener, Jack Rudman, 2004 

2. Groundskeeper, Jack Rudman, 2004 

3. Senior Groundskeeper, Jack Rudman, 2012 

HVAC

1. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Toolbox Manual (2nd ed.), David Tenenbaum, 2006

2. Heating and Cooling Essentials, Jerry Killinger

3. HVAC Equations, Data, and Rules of Thumb, 2nd Ed., Arthur A. Bell, 2007

4. Introduction to Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating: Questions and Answers (Dantes Ser. No 20), Jack Rudman, 2003

5. Refrigeration License Examinations: A Complete Guide to the Written and Practical Exams, 2nd ed., Antonio Mejias, 200

Machinist

1. Machinery's Handbook Tool-Box Edition, Erik Oberg, 2000

Plant

• Applied Math for Water Plant Operators, Joanne Price, 1991

• Basic Math Concepts: For Water and Wastewater Plant Operators, Joanne Price, 1991

• Lumpy Water Math, Jerry Grant, 2007

1. Boiler Room Helper, Jack Rudman, 2008

2. Occupational Competency Examination in Welding (OCE), Jack Rudman, 2002

3. Plant and Pump Mechanic, Jack Rudman, 2014

4. Power Plant Operator, Jack Rudman, 2002

5. Stationary Engineer (Electric), Jack Rudman, 2006

6. The Boiler Operator's Exam Preparation Guide, Theodore B. Sauselein, 1997

7. Water Plant Operator, 2008

Plumbing

1. National Plumbing Codes Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson, 1998

2. Plumber, Jack Rudman, 2007

3. Plumber's Exam Preparation Guide (Apprentice, Journeyman or Master Plumber), Howard C. Massey, 1985

4. Plumber's Helper, Jack Rudman, 2014

Welding

1. Structural Welder, Jack Rudman, 2000

MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISION POSITIONS

Testing for a supervisor's position?  Review these resources in addition to the test guides below:

• The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan: How to Take Charge, Build Your Team, and Get Immediate Results, George Bradt, 2011
  The New Leader's 100-Day Action Plan will help ensure that you achieve all of your goals in your next leadership role by implementing an effective plan, starting even before Day One.
• The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Michael Watkins 2013
  A hands-on guide for moving successfully into a new role.  Walk through the transition as Watkins identifies the most common pitfalls new leaders encounter and provides tools/strategies for how to avoid them. 
• Skills for New Managers, Morey Stettner, 2013
  Specific answers for key responsibilities including delegating work, communicating effectively, mentoring, leadership, and coaching.  Includes bulleted lists, checklists and definition of terms.
• 101 Tough Conversations to Have with Employees: A Manager's Guide to Addressing Performance, Conduct, and Discipline Challenges, Paul Falcone, 2009
  Covering everything from substandard performance reviews to personal hygiene to termination meetings, this guide helps managers on what to say and how to say it.  Good resource for test questions regarding frequently encountered supervision situations.
• Complete Interview Guide with Supervision Guide
  From job-interview.net, 200+ possible interview questions on supervision including behavioral/situational questions. Plus, answers to the toughest supervision interview questions.