Leslie Gonzalez, CSC Docket No. 2022-2887

Appellant's argumentLeslie Gonzalez requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Family Service Specialist 1, Bilingual in Spanish and English (PS8309K), Department of Children and Families (DCF).

BackgroundThe examination at issue was announced with requirements that had to be met as of the April 21, 2022, closing date. Agency records indicate that 226 employees applied for the subject examination; however, the determination as to whether the applicants have met the requirements to be admitted to the test has not yet been made. Further, the test has yet to be scheduled. Therefore, the list has not yet promulgated.

Appellant's argumentOn appeal, the petitioner explains that on April 20, 2022, she was able to log into the Online Application System (OAS) with her user ID and obtain all of her employee identification information. However, when she attempted to file her application for the subject examination, she received a message indicating that her user ID did not match the information on file. The petitioner indicates that she emailed OAS support requesting her information and she received an auto-generated response confirming her user ID with a new password. However, she presents that she was still unable to file her application. Subsequently, the petitioner emailed OAS support again and she received a response on April 21, 2022, advising that her social security number was linked to a different user ID. However, she was unable to complete the application by the deadline. Thereafter, the petitioner emailed OAS support which informed her regarding the email it had on file and she responded that her DCF email that was used to create her profile was no longer in use and she updated her email address with her current DCF email.

CONCLUSION

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 she attempted to file her application prior to the closing date deadline. However, because her DCF email address that was used to create her OAS profile was no longer in use, she was unable to complete the application. Further, she had emailed OAS support multiple times prior to the closing date deadline; however, the issue was unable to be resolved until after 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. 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 Family Service Specialist 1, Bilingual in Spanish and English (PS8309K), Department of Children and Families. 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.