Well, after doing some agency-hopping to climb the proverbial “ladder”, I got a new civil service title along the way… and, after several years… I’m taking another Civil Service Test.
That’s because I took the job as a provisional. As discussed in an earlier post, provisionals are hired to fill vacancies until a civil service test is given, the results are tallied and then certified, and then “called” by an agency or agencies to backfill the provisionals with permanent employees.
So, my job is at risk. But, due to the protections of Civil Service, I do have a permanent title that I (think I) can fall back to – at least for a little while.
What the heck does this all mean and how did I get here? And what could it mean to a future civil servant?
As I mentioned in other posts, I’ve worked for three agencies so far in the city. The first agency I came on board as a provisional Radio Repair Mechanic. After about two years, the city, through the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), offered a test for it, which I took and passed.
Once the list was certified, my agency called it and was able to reach me on the list and I was hired as a permanent. So here is my solid foundation.
What is “reach me”? Well, the city has a rule called the “1 in 3” rule where an agency has to “hire one of the three candidates at the top of the eligible list”. Therefore, even if I pass, if I don’t score high enough, my agency might not be able to hire me to fill my own provisional position.
For example: my agency calls the list to fill my provisional position with a permanent candidate off the list. However, I’m number 4 on the list. If one of the first three candidates is qualified the agency must select them and fill my job. However, if none are qualified (perhaps at their interview some were found to be a good test takers and not really qualified or perhaps their years of work history didn’t quite add up to the required experience level (see my post of Great Pretenders)) then I may be brought in to be one of the three candidates – and hired as a permanent. But back to our story…
So, after some time, a promotion to Supervisor of Radio Repair Operations came up at my agency and I was promoted – as a provisional again, in the supervisor’s title. However – I had a FALLBACK to my permanent title as Radio Repair Mechanic. If and when a test for Supervisor came up, and either I failed, or didn’t score high enough to be called AND the agency needed to fill the position with a permanent hire, I could be put back into my Radio Repair Mechanic title. A reduction in pay and responsibility, but not the loss of a job. Tremendous benefit.
However, time went on and I took the Supervisor of Radio Repair Operations test when it came up. Same deal. Agency called the list. Hired 1 in 3. I was there and got to keep my job – but now as a permanent.
During this time my agency merged with another but all of the civil service titles stayed intact – with all protections in place.
Next up was a promotion into management – but as a provisional manager with a fallback into my permanent civil service title.
So, 27 years later, a challenging opportunity came up at third city agency that is deep into technology. I could have stayed in my manager job – but this other opportunity was too good to pass up.
So, my civil service title changed as did my internal city title and I was hired as a provisional. But I went into this knowing about the civil service rules and the risks of being a provisional.
Of course, a test was called for my title – or actually a step below my title. But because my “Radio” titles from the other agency are not recognized at the new agency, I’m not sure how my fallback situation would work. Can I fall back to my permanent title in my new agency? Can I go back to the old agency? Am I out the door?…
I’m thinking that the “out the door” scenario is kinda real… so to hedge my bet I took this test to provide a fallback title that my agency could actually move me into… So now, to pass, get on a list, and then be called – oh, and then take a leave of absence from the lower title to stay in my higher title…
Will it all work out? Don’t know… but worth the try. It will take a bit of time. I just took the exam about two weeks ago. Then there will be the protest period – where a test taker could challenge any question they believe was unfair or not appropriate – or just wrong. Once that dust settles a final answer key will be posted. Lists will be certified. Agencies will call the list. And maybe I’ll have another test and position “under my belt”… A new fallback title with all the protections the city. I suspect after six months to a year I’ll know my answer.
I see some general complaints about the whole process and whining about how dated the process is . But as Deputy Commissioner Pinnock of DCAS says “..it’s worth the wait”.
Questions and Comments welcomed below.
Hi, I’m looking for study material for the upcoming carpenter supervisor test (promotional). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Hi,
Maybe this study guide would be of help: Supervising Carpenter. There’s a Foreman Carpenter study guide that may be of help too.
Maybe some of CSJNYC followers can recommend some materials or information?
Good Luck! – Chris
In my opinion it would be best to enroll into an institute like Civil Service Success that can not just prepare you mentally but also physically, both of which aspects are tested during a police entry exam.
I worked in private industries my whole life, then in October 2015 I was finally able to get a job with the DEP as a construction laborer. I completed my 2 year apprenticeship and everything was going great, I was a good worker and learned a lot about the trade. I felt i had a great future with the DEP. Unbeknownst to me I was required to take a promotional civil service exam to become a permanent employee. I was not notified by my department heads about this requirement to secure my job title and I missed the filing date for the promotional exam. On February 7th 2019 I was discharged from my title. I tried to appeal the decision with DCAS and spoke to labor lawyers and no one was able to help me. Now I’m unemployed very little money and no health insurance for my wife, 3 kids and I. All of this is because I was uninformed by my superiors, a simple 91 dollar payment online was the difference between my family and I having a decent, secure future and my current dismal situation. The rules for such cases as mine with DCAS are so rigid that I cant even get my job back. The point of this statement is to say ” Shame on you, DEP and shame on you DCAS”. I guess shame on me also for expecting things to be done the right way with anything that involves The City of New York.
Can you help me with finding study materials for Radio Repair Mechanic Exam? What did you use?
Hi daringsham@yahoo:
I would say that books on Land Mobile Radio and general radio electronics theory would set a good foundation. Several of the previous tests had material that was directly related to the industry such as standard antennas (i.e. 1/4 wave whips, mini UHF connectors, BNC’s NMO mounts) and general technology (what is a Trunked Radio System, P25 basics, narrowbanding, etc.). So if you’re in the industry, that’s a good start. For books, search Amazon for Radio Mechanic Passbook (green cover) and Land Mobile Radio Systems by Edward Singer. I’ve used the green book years ago, so I can’t tell you how accurate it is to date, and the Edward Singer book is a few years old, but the basics are still good and solid. I didn’t use the Singer book myself but several of my colleagues have. I’ve heard recent tests have included safety related material so checking out an OSHA 10 hour course (search OSHA 10 hour course) may help with safety questions.
It’s a great job with pretty good pay – good luck!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your help. I have the FCC GROL and Radar. I just need to pass the city exams. I’ll look into those books. I have the green one but it was not helpful in the exam.
This was a great read with many helpful tips! Thanks!