Rochelle Petty, CSC Docket No. 2022-304

Appellant's argumentRochelle Petty requests to file a late application for the promotional examination for Senior Juvenile Detention Center (PC2176B), Essex County.

BackgroundThe examination at issue was announced with requirements that had to be met as of the February 21, 2020 closing date. A total of 35 employees applied and 30 were admitted to the examination. The test was administered on July 20, 2021 and the resultant list contained 19 eligibles. Certification PL210903 was issued and its disposition is due November 24, 2021. The list expires on August 18, 2024.

Appellant's argumentOn appeal, the petitioner presents that she has been employed as a Juvenile Detention Officer since 2007. Further, she was provisionally appointed to the subject title on June 28, 2021. The petitioner indicates that she just learned that the test for the subject examination was administered on July 20, 2021, as she was unaware and did not have any knowledge of notice being posted for the subject examination. Therefore, she is requesting to submit a late application and then be allowed to take a make-up examination.

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 was unaware that the subject examination was announced. Further, personnel records indicate that she was appointed as Juvenile Detention Office in October 2007 and she was provisionally appointed to the subject title on June 29, 2021. 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 for prospective employment opportunities only.

This determination is limited to the instant matter and does not provide precedent in any other matter.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this request be granted, and Rochelle Petty be permitted to submit an application for the Senior Juvenile Detention Center (PC2176B), Essex County examination. It is further ordered that Ms. Petty 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. Petty’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.