Genesee County General Information
WHAT IS CIVIL SERVICE?
Most jobs in local government fall under the Civil Service System. Different jobs have different requirements. Some positions require that you take a test to be considered for a permanent job. These are called competitive positions. When there is no list of tested applicants, a person may be appointed "provisionally" (temporarily) until the results of the next test are known. The provisional employee must score high enough to be permanently appointed.
The following are three types of positions which have no test requirements:
- Exempt positions are those where the employer decides the qualifications of applicant and chooses the person they want to hire.
- Non-Competitive positions have specific education and experience requirements but have been determined to be impractical to test for. Employers choose from qualified people who apply. Included in this class can be a competitive position that is reclassified for a disabled applicant (Section 55a of CSL).
- Labor positions usually have no requirements. Employers choose anyone they feel is best qualified.
The civil service system is required by New York State law for the purpose of filling and maintaining positions in the local government on the basis of merit and fitness.
Types of Appointments:
- Permanent Appointments - are made to vacant classified service positions. A permanent appointment in the competitive class is made from a list of qualified eligible candidates who have passed an appropriate Civil Service examination. All permanent appointments are subject to successful completion of a probationary period. A permanent appointment cannot be terminated, interrupted or discontinued except in accordance with the laws, rules, and regulations governing the classified service, or an applicable labor contract.
- Provisional Appointments - may be made to a vacant competitive classified position if there is no appropriate civil service eligible list for that title. A qualified applicant may be provisionally appointed and serve in the position until an appropriate eligible list can be established and a permanent appointment made.
Probationary Periods - may vary in the minimum and maximum periods. But all permanent appointments to positions in the classified service include a required probationary period during which the employee must prove their ability to do the work.
Why are examinations needed?
According to Civil Service Law, appointments and promotions in New York State and it’s civil divisions, shall be made, based on “merit and fitness” to be determined by examinations, which, when practicable, must be “competitive.” It is necessary to hold examinations to provide “eligible lists” (ranked lists of successful candidates) to fill vacant positions. Examinations are required to fill positions in the competitive class.
What are the types of Civil Service examinations?
Open competitive examinations are open to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications and the stated residency requirement. Unless otherwise stated most positions are covered by the residency requirement.
Promotional examinations are open only to permanent Genesee County Civil Service employees who are in the announced direct line or collateral line promotional fields and are employed in the department or jurisdiction that has the vacancy in the title tested.
Section 55-A was added to the state Civil Service Law to increase employment opportunities in local governments throughout New York State for qualified people who are mentally or physically disabled. These provisions allow eligible individuals to be appointed to competitive class positions without taking a Civil Service examination.
What formats are the Civil Service examinations in?
An examination may consist of one or more tests:
- Written Tests - usually multiple choice questions.
- Performance Tests - candidates are evaluated on how well they perform a sample of work. Ex. database performance test, typing test, bilingual test etc.
- Training and Experience Evaluations - candidate's education and work experience are rated against the job requirements.
- Physical/Agility Tests - for some positions, candidates may be required to pass a physical and/or agility test.
BEFORE APPLYING FOR ANY EXAMS PLEASE READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY.
Please be sure that:
- An application is submitted for each examination you wish to take.
- The correct examination number and title are on the application.
- Applications are complete and accurate.
- Applications with incomplete information may result in your disqualification from the examination.
- Attaching a resume is not an acceptable alternative to completing an application.
CROSS FILERS: Cross Filing applies to examinations only. Please see exam announcement for instructions.
ADMISSION TO EXAMINATION: Admission notices are mailed the week prior to the examination date. If you do not receive a notice three days prior to the exam date, call (585) 815-7805. Candidates will be required to bring proof of identification to the examination. Participation in the examination does not mean you have been found to meet the announcement requirements. Applications will be rejected for lateness, if postmarked or received after the last filing date.
DISQUALIFICATION APPEAL: Any appeal of a disqualification notice must be made in writing and received in the Genesee County Human Resources Office by the date and time indicated on the notice.
LEGAL ADDRESS CHANGES: You must report a change in address to insure proper notification of test results and certification of civil service lists. Residency must be established 2 months prior to the examination date in order to meet residence preference requirements.
The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in employment because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status or criminal record. Accordingly, nothing in this application form should be viewed as expressing, directly or indirectly, any limitation, specification or discrimination as to age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability, marital status or criminal record in connection with employment.
