M.J.F., CSC Docket No. 2022-1310

BackgroundM.J.F. requests permission to file a late application for the promotional application for Police Sergeant (PM4633C), Borough of Ringwood (Ringwood).

By way of background, the subject examination was announced on October 1, 2021 with an application filing deadline of October 21, 2021 and all applications had to be received by 4:00 p.m. on that date. It is noted that the petitioner has been conditionally admitted to the subject examination, which has not yet been administered.

Appellant's argumentIn support of his request, the petitioner states that his father-in-law passed away on October 3, 2021 and that during the application period his wife had multiple follow-up appointments with her physician during the application period about concerns that cancer might have returned to an area where she had a double mastectomy a decade earlier. In addition, the petitioner furnishes a copy of his father- in-law’s death certificate and medical documentation which shows that his wife underwent multiple cancer screenings during the application period.

CONCLUSION

RuleN.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.6(a)4 provides that applicants for promotional examinations shall submit an application on or before the announced application filing date. N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.1(e) states that unless otherwise provided for by the Chairperson or designee, applications for open competitive and promotional examinations shall be submitted to the Civil Service Commission no later than 4:00 P.M. on the announced application filing date. N.J.A.C. 4A:1-1.2(c) provides that a rule may be relaxed for good cause shown in a particular situation.

AnalysisIn the instant matter, applications for the subject promotional examination were due by the application filing deadline of October 21, 2021. However, the record evidences that during the application period, the petitioner was unable to complete an application due to extenuating circumstances, including the passing of his father- in-law and serious concerns about his wife suffering a possible recurrence of cancer. Under these circumstances, good cause exists to relax the provisions of N.J.A.C. 4A:4- 2.6(a)4 and allow the petitioner to file an application after the application deadline date for the Police Sergeant (PM4633C), Ringwood examination.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this appeal be granted. It is further ordered that the completed application and required $50.00 application processing fee should be forwarded to: New Jersey Civil Service Commission, Division of Agency Services, P.O. Box 322, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0322. The completed application and processing fee must be postmarked no later than 15 days from the issuance date of this decision. Failure to file the application and processing fee within the time provided will result in rejection from the examination process. Finally, upon determination of eligibility, the appellant be admitted to the subject examination.

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