Tompkins County civil service appointment process "generally compliant"
For Immediate release: December 22, 2009
A New York State Civil Service Commission review of the Tompkins County Personnel Office'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 November 2005 to November 2008, found that the merit system is administered consistently and that appointments typically went to individuals who were both qualified and eligible. Based on a possible score of 100, the Tompkins County operation received a score of 76.
The 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 Tompkins County Personnel Office has jurisdiction over a total of 2,237 employees: 774 are employed by the County, 289 by towns, 118 by villages, 956 by school districts and 100 by special districts. Of these, 1,081, or 48.3 percent, are in the competitive class and are selected by competitive examination.
The report noted a number of issues, some involving single appointments but others that were more systemic in nature involving multiple appointments. The State Commission recognized corrective actions already taken by the County Commissioner of Personnel and directed her to submit a report on further 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 Tompkins County Civil Service Commission(
165KB)
-30-