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Home My WebLink AboutMN-CS-2016-02-24CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Regular Meeting February 24, 2016 Commissioners Present: Commissioner Richardson Commissioner Thompson Excused: Commissioner Abrams Staff Present: Valerie Saul (Deputy Director of Human Resources) Commissioner Richardson called the meeting to order at 11:35 am. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Richardson made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 13, 2016 meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0. NEW BUSINESS New Position Duties Statement: Police Department – Police Lieutenant The Commission reviewed and discussed a New Position Duties Statement from the Ithaca Police Department. Commissioner Richardson made a motion to classify the position as Police Lieutenant. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2- 0. New Position Duties Statement: Planning Department – Code Inspector The Commission reviewed and discussed a New Position Duties Statement from the Planning Department. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to classify the position as Code Inspector. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 2-0. Request to Waive Residency Requirement – Database Specialist The position of Database Specialist in the Planning Department was initially advertised with a Tompkins County residency requirement. Only one qualified application was received. The position was re-advertised with a contiguous county residency requirement. Only one additional qualified application was received. The Planning Department has requested that the residency requirement be waived in its entirety. Commissioner Richardson made a motion to waive the residency requirement for Database Specialist through the completion of the next exam process. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0. Revision of Minimum Qualifications: Data Entry Specialist The Commission reviewed a proposed revision to the minimum qualifications for Data Entry Specialist. The revision removes the requirement for coursework or prior work experience in data entry or keyboarding. The Data Entry Specialist exam is a performance test that measures data entry and keyboarding skills, and it is the skills that Civil Service Commission February 24, 2016 Page 2 are critical to successful job performance, not prior coursework or work experience. The minimum qualifications are proposed to read as follows: “MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.” Commissioner Thompson made a motion to revise the minimum qualifications as proposed. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 2-0. Revision of Minimum Qualifications: Office Assistant The Commission reviewed a proposed revision to the minimum qualifications for Office Assistant. The revision removes the requirement that qualifying work experience must specifically include experience using word-processing, spreadsheet or database software. The use of such software is now commonplace in our society, so there is no longer a need to require applicants to specifically detail it on their job applications. Additionally, the Office Assistant exam includes a performance test that measures applicant keyboarding skills. The minimum qualifications are proposed to read as follows: “MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: (a) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s degree in secretarial science, office management, office technology, business administration or a closely related field with similar course curriculum; or (b) Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and two (2) years of full-time paid clerical experience, or its part-time and/or volunteer equivalent; or (c) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a) and (b).” Commissioner Thompson made a motion to revise the minimum qualifications as proposed. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 2-0. Residency Requirement for Exams – Discussion This discussion was postponed to the next meeting, pending guidance from the New York State Civil Service Department as to available options. Approval of Annual Report The Commission reviewed and discussed the 2015 Annual Report to the NYS Department of Civil Service. Commissioner Richardson made a motion to approve the annual report. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0. Civil Service Commission February 24, 2016 Page 3 Revision of Minimum Qualifications and Special Requirement: Assistant City Attorney The Commission reviewed and discussed proposed revisions to the minimum qualifications and special requirement for Assistant City Attorney. The revisions include expanding the definition of qualifying legal experience and broadening the license requirement to accept a license to practice law in any jurisdiction of the United States at the time of appointment, and to allow up to twelve months to obtain a New York State license to practice law. The minimum qualifications and special requirement are proposed to read as follows: “MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from a New York State registered or regionally accredited law school and three years of experience in the practice of law with significant substantive experience representing clients. Preference may be given to candidates with experience in civil, municipal, personnel and construction law and/or candidates with demonstrated familiarity with the legislative and administrative processes. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: A license to practice law in a recognized jurisdiction of the United States is required at the time of appointment. A license to practice law in New York State must be obtained within twelve (12) months of appointment and must be maintained for the duration of employment.” Commissioner Richardson made a motion to revise the minimum qualifications and special requirement as proposed. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Richardson made a motion to go into executive session to discuss civil service examination matters. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0. During executive session, the Commission took the following actions: CONTINUING BUSINESS Approval of Rosters of Candidates for Examination Commissioner Thompson made a motion to approve the Rosters of Candidates for Examination listed below. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 2-0. Deputy Police Chief #71-379 Executive Assistant # 61-996 Police Chief #71-378 Civil Service Commission February 24, 2016 Page 4 Establishment of Eligible Lists Commissioner Richardson made a motion to establish the eligible lists specified below for the time period indicated. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0. Family Self-Sufficiency Program Case Manager #60-498 (1 year) GIAC Program Leader #63-416 (2 years) GIAC Program Leader #74-328 (2 years) Police Officer #68-102 (3 years) Tenant Relations Assistant #62-971 (1 year) Water Meter Technician #66-676 (1 year) Youth Program Coordinator #70-845 (2 years) Addition of Candidates to Continuous Recruitment Eligible Lists Commissioner Thompson made a motion to add candidates to the continuous recruitment eligible lists. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 2-0. Approval of Personnel Transactions Commissioner Richardson made a motion to approve the Personnel Transactions. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 2-0. The next Civil Service Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 11:30 am. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:42 pm.