MONTGOMERY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
RATED "GOOD"
For release: Immediate, Thursday, April 10, 2008
The New York State Civil Service Commission has issued a report rating the administration of the merit system in Montgomery County "good."
The New York State Department of Civil Service periodically conducts reviews of local jurisdictions to ensure that the merit system is administered effectively and efficiently. These reviews assess practices in the following areas:
- adopting and enforcing rules regarding employment;
- classifying positions;
- conducting an examination program;
- ensuring that all appointments conform to Civil Service Law and rules;
- submitting timely reports;
- maintaining records;
- reviewing and certifying payrolls as they are required under the New York State Civil Service Law.
The Montgomery County Personnel Department's merit system administration was found to be generally effective, but the report cited some of the above program areas as needing to be strengthened.
There are six possible ratings for such reviews: excellent, very good, good, fair, poor, and unsatisfactory. Montgomery County's rating of "good" is based on the following:
- The Appendices to the Rules needs to be updated.
- There are 57 titles in use outside of the competitive class; persons in these titles have not obtained or been offered an opportunity to obtain civil service status and the employee rights that come with it.
- Although it is evident that the Personnel Officer actively classifies positions, there are 25 titles that do not have class specifications defining the duties of the position.
- The examination program is administered effectively; however, recruitment for examination participation can be improved.
- The Personnel Officer uses an electronic system to maintain employee history files. This system is well run and comprehensive, with minor discrepancies noted in the review.
- The Personnel Officer maintains and certifies payrolls from all agencies under its jurisdiction; however they are not being certified prior to payment.
"The New York State Department of Civil Service is committed to ensuring that municipal civil service commissions are implementing the Civil Service Law and Rules in a credible, trustworthy, fair, and efficient manner," said Civil Service Commissioner Nancy G. Groenwegen. "We are dedicated to assisting jurisdictions in accomplishing this goal."
Review the complete report:
Merit System Administration for the Montgomery County Personnel Department(
167KB).
-30-