Oswego civil service appointment process "generally compliant"
For Immediate release: December 22, 2009
A New York State Civil Service Commission review of the City of Oswego Department of Personnel's administration of the appointment process has found the process generally in compliance with the Civil Service Law and Rules.
The review, which covered the period from September 2005 to September 2008, found that merit system appointments typically went to individuals who were both qualified and eligible. Based on a possible score of 100, the Oswego operation received a score of 64.
The State Civil Service Commission periodically conducts reviews of local jurisdictions to ensure that the merit system is administered in accordance with Civil Service Law and Rules. The reviews are submitted to and adopted by the State Civil Service Commission. These reviews assess practices in one or more of the following areas:
- adopting and enforcing rules regarding employment
- properly allocating positions to a jurisdictional class
- classifying positions
- conducting an examination program
- administration of the appointment process
- maintenance of required records
- reviewing and certifying payrolls
The City of Oswego Department of Personnel has jurisdiction over a total of 664 employees: 274 are employed by the City, 360 by the school district, 19 by the Library and 11 by the Port Authority. Of these, 327, or 49 percent, are in the competitive class and are selected by competitive examination.
The report noted the appointment process could be improved by ensuring required documentation is submitted at the appropriate time and not permitting appointments outside the required timeframes. The State Commission directed the Director of Personnel to take seven specific actions to bring the City's appointments process into full compliance with Civil Service Law and Rules. She must submit a report on her progress by December 31.
"Municipal civil service commissions generally are dedicated to implementing the Civil Service Law and Rules in a credible, trustworthy, fair, and efficient manner, despite limited resources," said Civil Service Commissioner Nancy G. Groenwegen. "The New York State Department of Civil Service will help them in every way possible to accomplish this goal."
Review the complete report:
Appointment Process Administration by the City of Oswego Civil Service Commission(
161KB)
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