Leslie Williams- Gallman, CSC Docket No. 2020-2682

BackgroundLeslie Williams-Gallman requests to file an application after the announced closing date for the promotional examination for Purchasing Assistant (PS0875H), Department of Health.

By way of background, the subject promotional examination was announced with specific requirements that had to be met as of the February 21, 2020 closing date. One employee applied for and was admitted to the subject examination. The examination has not yet been scheduled. It is noted that the appellant attempted to file an application for the subject examination by the February 21, 2020 closing date, but due to technical difficulties, she was unable to submit the application.

Appellant's argumentOn appeal, the appellant asserts that she started the subject application but, due to a technical difficulty she experienced, she was unable to submit the application. The appellant maintains she is still interested in submitting the subject application. In support, the appellant provides a letter from Jason Spych, a Technical Assistant, Management Information Systems, Department of Health, who confirms that, at the time the appellant attempted to complete the online application, the system would not allow her to advance to part 5 in order to complete the application. Spych states that the appellant requested his assistance to help her complete the application, but he was unable to correct the issue. Spych explains that there must have been a problem with the online application system, as he had no concerns that the appellant’s computer was not operating properly at the time the incident occurred.

CONCLUSION

RuleN.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.1(e) provides that applications must be filed no later than the announced filing deadline. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:1-1.2(c), the Civil Service Commission (Commission) may relax these rules for good cause in a particular situation in order to effectuate the purposes of Title 11A, New Jersey Statutes.

AnalysisIn this matter, the appellant asserts that she attempted to submit the subject application by the February 21, 2020 closing date, however, the online application system did not permit her to submit the application. The appellant requests to submit her application for the examination for Purchasing Assistant (PS0875H), Department of Health on a late basis as she initially intended to apply for that examination. The PS0875H announcement instructed applicants to submit applications to this agency by the February 21, 2020 closing date. The Commission generally denies such requests as this agency requires applicants to file examination applications by the closing date. Nonetheless, the record reflects that only one applicant was admitted. Further, the appellant intended to submit the PS0875H application by the February 21, 2020 closing date, and apparently due to a technical difficulty, the online application system did not accept the application. Under these limited circumstances, good cause exists to relax the provisions of N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.1(e) and accept the appellant’s application and application fee after the closing date for prospective employment opportunities only. This remedy is limited to the facts of this situation and may not be used as precedent for any other proceeding.

One additional matter warrants comment. The appellant is cautioned to ensure that, in the future, all parts of the application are completed by the closing date listed in the announcement for all future promotional opportunities.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this appeal be granted, and Leslie Williams- Gallman be permitted to submit an application for the Purchasing Assistant (PS0875H), Department of Health examination. It is further ordered that Ms. Williams-Gallman submit a promotional application and the $25.00 application processing fee to the Division of Agency Services. The application and processing fee must be postmarked no later than 15 days from the issuance date of this decision. Upon receipt of the application and processing fee, it is ordered that her application be processed. Finally, if Ms. Williams-Gallman’s application and the required payment are not postmarked on or before the 15th day after the issuance date of this decision, she will not be entitled to have an application for the subject examination processed.

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