BAEC Bulletin | New Year 2022 | 23
Overview of Civil Service Examinations in New York State In New York State, civil service examinations are intended to ensure that appointments and promotions are made consistent with principles of “merit and fitness,” as mandated by the New York State Constitution. xvii These examinations measure, in part, a candidate’s baseline knowledge and skillset to determine fitness for a given civil service job; xviii they may be written, oral, or practical. xix Each civil service test may differ to meet the needs of the coinciding open civil service post. xx The examinations for positions in state government are separate from those for positions in local government; and are administered by different civil service commissions. xxi At the state level, the New York State Department of Civil Service administers open-competitive tests to all individuals who meet the minimum qualifications for the job; and promotion/transition tests for qualified individuals already employed by New York State. xxii You can apply for most state examinations online at the New York State Department of Civil Service website: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/onlineapp/ocappinfo. cfm. xxiii At the local level, both open-competitive and promotion/ transition examinations are available, but are generally given by respective local civil service agencies for specific job titles under its jurisdiction. xxiv They usually include a written test. xxv You can learn where examination announcements are posted and what examinations are being offered by contacting the local civil service agency for the locality in which you are interested in employment. xxvi You may also visit your local library or Town, Village and School District administrative offices to learn more. For example, in Erie County you can obtain available civil service examination announcements and study resources at Erie County Department of Personnel located at 95 Franklin Street, 6th Floor, Room 604, Buffalo, NY 14202. You can also find all of Erie County’s available civil service opportunities and study guides at Erie County’s official government website (https://erie.gov/employment). xxvii You can also call the Erie County Civil Service Exam Line at (716) 858-8729. xxviii Whether you are interested in a civil service opportunity at the state or local level, the guiding light for the preliminary stages of the application is the job’s coinciding examination announcement. Examination announcements provide information on the job title, minimum qualifications, typical job duties, and the type and subjects of the examination. xxix The New York State Department of Civil Service website is a great resource for more information. This website also has test guides published by the Department of Civil Service for state and local government examinations. xxx
Workers with Disabilities (Sections 55-a – 55-c of the Civil Service Law) At the local level, in accordance with Civil Service Law Section 55-a, individuals with disabilities may be eligible for employment in certain positions in local governments, i.e., counties, cities, towns, and villages, without having to take a written examination. To be employed under Section 55-a in local government positions, please apply directly to the employer for any entry-level position for which you meet requisite minimum qualifications. xxxi At the state level, there are specialized programs under Civil Service Law Sections 55-b and 55-c, known as the Governor’s Programs to Hire Individuals and Veterans with Disabilities. Below is an excerpt from the New York State Department of Civil Service website about the same: [T]he Governor’s Programs to Hire Individuals and Veterans with Disabilities [ ] are coordinated efforts to place individuals with disabilities in entry-level state jobs. xxxii Section 55-b of the New York State Civil Service Law authorizes the New York State Civil Service Commission to designate up to 1,200 positions normally filled through competitive examination to be filled through the appointment of qualified persons with disabilities. Section 55-c authorizes the designation of up to 500 positions in the non- competitive class to be filled by qualified wartime veterans with disabilities. In general, an entry-level position that is filled only through an open-competitive examination (one open to the public) may be used for a 55-b or 55-c appointment. No initial written examination is required for appointment. To qualify for either program, you must first submit a formal application. A medical evaluation may be necessary for program certification. xxxiii We encourage you to visit the New York State Department of Civil Service official government website for more information: https://www.cs.ny.gov/rp55/. Overview of Steps to Take a State or Local Civil Service Examination To reiterate, if you are interested in a specific position that requires a civil service examination, you must follow the related examination announcement. Generally, below are the steps you should take, which have been reconfigured from the New York State Department of Civil Service website: 1. Learn about state examination announcements at the New York State Department of Civil Service official website. xxxiv There, you can also learn more about how to get a State job. xxxv 2. In the alternative, learn about your local examination announcements at your local civil service commission website or office, or Personnel Officer who is responsible for administering civil service examinations for local posts. xxxvi 3. If you are qualified to take a civil service examination (reference the qualifications on the examination announcement to see whether you qualify) then you will need to submit a non-refundable application processing fee with your application. In some cases, an individual may qualify for a fee waiver. xxxvii
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