Most NYC Civil Service exams are pretty straightforward – multiple choice, education and experience, etc. There are ways to get a bit of an “edge” on the list too: veteran’s credits, maybe some extra points for certain years of experience. However, another way to get an edge is to have a “Selective Certification”.
From the DCAS Glossary page, Selective Certification is defined as “A method used by agencies to appoint/promote applicants (from an eligible list) who possess additional or specialized knowledge, training, skills or abilities beyond those which are assessed through a Civil Service title‘s minimum qualification requirements. Applicants who possess a particular specialized skill for which a City agency may have an immediate need are given preference for being appointed/promoted from the eligible list over other candidates who do not possess that particular specialized skill.”
That means that, depending on the title, you may have the “additional or specialized knowledge” to get you “preference for being appointed/promoted from the eligible list over other candidates…”
Selective Certification is specified in the Notice of Examination (NOE). It’s specific – and specialized – in a way that you can demonstrate. For example, here’s something from Radio Repair Mechanic:
To work for NYPD or FDNY, an FCC license is required – and the agencies will bypass those without an FCC license – even if someone appears to have more experience or education but doesn’t have the license.
Doesn’t have to be Technical or Mechanical
How about something non-technical, like Administrative Community Relations Specialist? This one has a whole host of Selective Certifications that will qualify (the list is long so only a few are shown):
So, if you’re targeting a specific agency, you can gain an edge by having the specific certification they’re looking for or requiring.
Now, in case you don’t have the qualifications to meet Selective Certifications, you aren’t necessarily out of the game. DCAS has a statement at the end of their Personnel Services Bulleting 100-12: “…when a Selective Certification is exhausted, an agency must use the primary list for all subsequent appointments.” However, I wouldn’t sit by the phone waiting for the call. In my experience, when you need a candidate with certain credentials for the job, you usually cannot work with someone who does not have it. At a minimum you may have conflicts between other employees (e.g., “they are getting paid the same as us without the qualifications) and at worst, they will not be able or knowledgeable enough to complete the tasks safely and effectively.
Questions and comments welcomed here.
