Stephen Watson, CSC Docket No. 2019-1503

BackgroundStephen Watson appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services (Agency Services) that he did not meet the experience requirements for the promotional examination for Senior Sewage Plant Operator/Sewer Repairer 2 (PM1713WN), Millville City.

The experience requirements were two years of experience in operating, adjusting, regulating, repairing and maintaining pumps, valves, electric motors, and other electrical and mechanical equipment of the type used in a sewage treatment plant and two years of experience in sewer installation or repair work and/or in varied plumbing and/or in the operation and maintenance of sewer maintenance equipment by the June 21, 2018 closing date. See N.J.A.C. 4A:4- 2.6(a). Additionally, appointees were required to possess certain licenses, which were to be confirmed by the appointing authority. The appellant was the only applicant.

Personnel records indicate that the appellant was provisionally serving in the subject title from October 2017 to the June 21, 2018 closing date, a Sewer Repairer 1 from July 2014 to October 2017, a Laborer 1 from July 2008 to July 2014, and a Parking Enforcement Officer from October 2006 to July 2008. Agency Services credited the appellant with nine months of experience based on his provisional service in the subject title, but determined that he lacked one year and three months of experience for each title. On appeal, the appellant highlights that Agency Services determined after a classification appeal that he was performing

Sewer Repairer 1 duties effective July 21, 2014 and that he possesses the required licenses. Additionally, the Superintendent of the Millville Sewer Utility provides specific examples to show how the appellant has been crossed trained in sewer operations and in the collection systems since June 2008.

AnalysisUnder the circumstances presented, the Civil Service Commission finds good cause under N.J.A.C. 4A:1-1.2(c) to relax the provisions of N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.6(a), for eligibility purposes only, and admit the appellant to the subject examination based on his four years of experience as Sewer Repairer 1 as of the closing date and his 10 years of experience being crossed trained in sewage plant operations by the closing date, the fact that the examination has been cancelled due to a lack of qualified applicants and his continuation of service as a provisional in the subject title.

This determination is limited to the instant matter and does not provide precedent in any other matter.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that the appeal be granted, the cancellation of the examination be rescinded and Stephen Watson’s application be processed for prospective employment opportunities only.

ClosingThis is the final administrative determination in this matter. Any further review should be pursued in a judicial forum.