Maryann Miller, CSC Docket No. 2022-2070

Appellant's argumentMaryann Miller requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Senior Cottage Training Technician (PS7333K), Woodbine Developmental Center.

BackgroundThe examination at issue was announced open to employees who were currently serving as a Cottage Training Technician and who had an aggregate of one year of continuous permanent service in that title as of the December 21, 2022, closing date. A total of 69 employees applied and 69 were admitted. The method for testing the subject announcement has not been determined.

On appeal, the petitioner1 explains that she began the process of submitting her application using the Online Application Systems (OAS) prior to the 4:00 p.m. deadline on the December 21, 2021, closing date. However, she indicates that she initially had issues with her username and password. After receiving a response from OAS support, she started working on completing her application. However, her payment information was not completed until one minute after the deadline and, therefore, the OAS did not accept her application as being complete prior to the deadline.

CONCLUSION

1 Personnel records indicate that the petitioner was appointed as a Cottage Training Technician on

February 29, 2020.

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

AnalysisIn this matter, the petitioner explains that although she started the online application process for the subject examination prior to the 4:00 p.m. deadline on the December 21, 2021, closing date, she initially had issues with her username and password. Further, once those issues were resolved, she began completing the application process, but her payment information was not completed until one minute after the deadline and, therefore, her application was not accepted as being completed prior to the deadline. The Commission notes that the dual purpose of the Civil Service system is to ensure efficient public service for State and local governments and to provide appointment and advancement opportunities to Civil Service employees based on their merit and abilities. These interests are best served when more, rather than fewer, individuals are presented with employment opportunities. See Communications Workers of America v. New Jersey Department of Personnel, 154 N.J. 121 (1998). Further, it would be inequitable to prohibit the petitioner from applying for such a promotional opportunity for the life of the subject list based on her technical difficulties. Therefore, the Commission finds that there is good cause to relax N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.1(e) and to allow the petitioner to submit her application and application fee after the closing deadline.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this request be granted, and the petitioner be permitted to submit an application for the Senior Cottage Training Technician (PS7333K), Woodbine Developmental Center. It is further ordered that the petitioner submit a promotional examination 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. If the petitioner’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 her application reviewed.

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