HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CSC-2009-06-01CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
June 3, 2009
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Abrams
Commissioner Thompson
Excused: Commissioner Richardson
Staff Present: Valerie Saul (Deputy Director of Human Resources)
Commissioner Thompson called the meeting to order at 10:05 am.
APPOINTMENT OF ACTING CHAIR
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to appoint Commissioner Thompson as Acting
Chair of the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2009
meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0.
NEW BUSINESS
New Position Duties Statement: City Chamberlain’s Office – Customer Service
Representative
The Commission reviewed and discussed a New Position Duties Statement from the City
Chamberlain’s Office. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to classify the position as
Customer Service Representative. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried
2-0.
Update of Alternate Test Date Policy
The Commission reviewed the existing Alternate Test Date Policy and the recommended
updates to it. Commissioner Abrams made a motion to revise the policy to read as
follows:
“Alternate Test Date Policy
It is the policy of the City of Ithaca Civil Service Commission to provide an alternate test
date to those candidates who are unable to appear on the announced scheduled date for
a written test due to religious beliefs, an emergency or a scheduling conflict beyond their
control. However, with respect to each written test administration, this policy must be
balanced with the need to maintain the security and integrity of the written test. The
written test represents considerable planning, preparation and expense. Therefore,
candidates are expected to make every effort to take the test on its scheduled date.
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June 3, 2009
Page 2
Basis and Parameters for Alternate Test Dates
Alternate written test dates may be provided for candidates who can establish one of the
following:
1. A death in the immediate family or the household in which the candidate resides
within the week immediately preceding the announced written test date. Immediate
family shall include the spouse, domestic partner, children, siblings, parents and
grandparents of the candidate or the candidate’s spouse or domestic partner.
2. Religious beliefs which preclude a candidate from taking an examination on the
announced date.
3. Military duty.
4. A conflict with a previously scheduled commitment to participate as a member of a
ceremonial party, such as a wedding, baptism, bar mitzvah or graduation, or as a
member of the immediate family or household of the individual for whom the
ceremony is being held.
5. A conflict with a professional or educational examination. Examples of professional
examinations include the Certified Public Accountant or Professional Engineer
examination. Examples of educational examinations include the Scholastic Aptitude
Test and Graduate Record Examination.
6. A conflict with a previously scheduled vacation, professional conference or retreat for
which a significant non-refundable deposit was made prior to the date the
examination announcement was issued.
7. A conflict with a court ordered appearance.
8. A hospital confinement, medical emergency or health problem of the candidate or
member of the immediate family or household in which the candidate resides, if
documented by the attending physician.
9. Emergency weather conditions, verified by the local public safety agency, that result
in the closing of specific roads, highways or independent transportation services
which prevent a candidate from reaching the test center.
10. Other reasons not listed above will be considered on an individual case basis.
Procedure For Requesting An Alternate Test Date
1. When a candidate is aware of a conflict prior to the scheduled test date, the
candidate should notify the City of Ithaca Human Resources/Civil Service
Department in writing as soon as possible. The request should contain a complete
explanation of the reason the candidate cannot take the examination on the
scheduled date and be supported by appropriate documentation. It is essential that
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June 3, 2009
Page 3
such requests be received before the date of the written test. Requests received on
or after the date of the written test will not be considered.
2. For emergency situations which occur on the scheduled written test date, the
candidate must notify the City of Ithaca Human Resources/Civil Service Department
no later than the Tuesday following the Saturday on which the written test was held.
In the case of a death in the immediate family or the household in which the
candidate resides, or the serious illness of the candidate, the request may be made
by a member of the immediate family or household of the candidate or by a person in
an agency, rather than the candidate.
In the event that a serious illness or injury renders the candidate physically unable to
take a test for a lengthy period of time, that candidate may still request an alternate
test date provided the candidate is tested prior to returning to the workplace and
before the examination results are released by the New York State Department of
Civil Service.
Candidates on short term military duty, which is typically a weekend or a two week
training commitment, must request an alternate test date prior to the scheduled test
date. Candidates on long term military duty will be provided with military make-up
examinations in accordance with the provisions of New York State Military Law.
Limitations In Applying the Alternate Test Date Policy
1. A candidate who takes an examination on an alternate test date has a responsibility
to avoid exposure to any of the test content. The risk of such exposure is increased
after the pre-rating review, which is usually held the Saturday following the written
test, and for that reason, alternate test dates will generally not be granted later than
the date of the pre-rating review. No candidate will be tested, under any
circumstances, after the candidate has been in contact with other candidates after
the pre-rating review.
2. Candidates approved to take the test on the alternate date will be required to sign an
affirmation that they have not discussed the test content with any individual. If the
affirmation is found to be false, the candidate will be disqualified.
3. When a candidate requests an alternate test date because of an emergency, the
candidate will be required to provide documentation proving the emergency nature of
the event which precluded him or her from taking the written test.
4. If two or more members of a household are candidates for the same examination
and one member requests an alternate test date, all members of the household
participating in the examination will be required to take the examination on the
alternate date. If any member of the household has taken the test on the scheduled
date, no other member of the household will be permitted to take the test on an
alternate date.
5. Participation in two or more civil service tests on the same day is not a basis for an
alternate test date for one, as long as both are provided by the City of Ithaca Civil
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June 3, 2009
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Service Commission, the New York State Department of Civil Service, or another
municipal civil service agency in New York State.
6. Where an alternate test date request can only be accommodated by administering a
test on an individual basis, the candidate may be assessed the cost of the monitoring
services unless there is a compelling reason to waive the fee. Candidates will be
advised of the approximate cost at the time arrangements for an alternate date are
being made.
7. Examinations will not be administered prior to the scheduled date.
8. This policy applies to all examinations administered by the City of Ithaca Civil Service
Commission.
Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to go into executive session to discuss an
employee medical issue and civil service examination matters. Seconded by
Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 2-0. During executive session, the Commission
took the following actions:
Appointment of Section 72 Medical Officer
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to appoint Dr. Jane Kou as the medical officer
for an independent medical examination to be conducted pursuant to Section 72 of NYS
Civil Service Law. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 2-0.
CONTINUING BUSINESS
Approval of Roster of Candidates for Examination
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to approve the Roster of Candidates for Police
Sergeant Examination #75-645. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried
2-0.
Establishment of Eligible Lists
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to establish the eligible lists specified below for the
time period indicated. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0.
Deputy Police Chief #76-031 (2 years)
Fire Lieutenant #75-644 (2 years)
Geographic Information System Map Technician #66-058 (2 years)
Geographic Information System Specialist #73-995 (2 years)
Police Chief #75-647 (2 years)
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June 3, 2009
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Addition of Names to Continuous Recruitment Eligible Lists
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to add names to the continuous recruitment
eligible lists. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 2-0.
Approval of Personnel Transactions
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to approve the Personnel Transactions.
Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 2-0.
The next Civil Service Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 9:30
am.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:40 am.