Erika Reilley, CSC Docket No. 2021-1559

BackgroundErika Reilley appeals the determination of the Division of Agency Services (Agency Services) which found that she did not meet the educational requirements for the open competitive examination for Assistant Engineer (M0584B), Burlington Township.

The subject examination announcement was issued with a closing date of August 21, 2020, and was open to residents of Burlington Township, and Burlington County who met the announced requirements. These requirements included graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering AND one year of related experience in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering. A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology (BSET) in a field related to Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university having a curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology (ABET) could be substituted for the above education requirement. Possession of a Professional Engineer's License or an Engineer-in-Training Certificate issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors could be substituted for the college degree. A Master’s degree in Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, or a Master’s of Science in Engineering Technology (MSET) in a field related to Civil, Electrical or Mechanical engineering could be substituted for the required experience. Five candidates appear on the eligible list, which was certified once, but no appointments have yet been made.

On her application, the appellant indicated that she possessed a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, and a Master’s degree in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. She was found to have met the experience requirement, and was not eligible as she lacked the specific college degree. The appellant indicated on her application that she possessed an Engineer-in-Training Certificate, however, it was issued by the State of Delaware, and had expired on August 13, 2020, prior to the closing date.

Appellant's argumentOn appeal, the appellant states that she her thesis project for her Master’s degree in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering involved designing a stormwater infiltration system, oversight of the construction of the system, collection and analysis of data, and creation of a hydrologic model. She requests that her Master’s degree be considered acceptable in place of the required Bachelor’s degree. She provides some of her duties while employed and indicates that she graduated with honors. In support, the Township Engineer argues that the appellant passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and qualifies for the Professional Engineers (PE) examination. He states that she has the required background and course work required for the position.

CONCLUSION

RuleN.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.3(b) provides that applicants shall meet all requirements specified in the open competitive examination announcement by the closing date.

AnalysisThe appellant’s application history was reviewed, and it was found that she has over six years of required full-time experience. However, the issue at hand is the educational requirement. The required Bachelor’s degree is specific to Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering, and there is no substitution clause for a Master’s degree in another engineering course of study as a substitute. In light of the fact that there is a complete list of five eligible candidates who meet the requirements, there is no good cause to relax the rules to allow for such a substitution.

An independent review of all material presented indicates that the decision of Agency Services that appellant did not meet the announced requirements for eligibility by the closing date is amply supported by the record. Appellant provides no basis to disturb this decision. Thus, appellant has failed to support her burden of proof in this matter.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this appeal be denied.

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