Saheed Olushi, CSC Docket No. 2022-305

Appellant's argumentSaheed Olushi requests permission to submit a late application for the promotional examination for Manager 1, Civil Service Commission (PS6041C).

BackgroundThe subject examination was announced on July 1, 2021 with a closing date of July 21, 2021. The appellant did not file an application during the application filing period. The examination resulted in an eligible list containing the names of three eligibles that promulgated on September 16, 2021 and expires on September 15, 2023. The list has yet to be certified.

Appellant's argumentOn appeal, the appellant explains that he is enrolled in the State of New Jersey Certified Public Manager Program and had expected to graduate at the end of October 2021. The appellant recounts that on July 21, 2021, he experienced a laptop hardware malfunction that led to the loss of connectivity and data, including six months’ worth of work towards his capstone project. He states that he attempted to restore the data, but all efforts were unfruitful. The appellant states that he was devastated and has since restarted his capstone work from scratch. The appellant maintains that amid the foregoing events, he lost sight of the closing date for the subject examination. According to the appellant, when he remembered on July 22, 2021, he attempted to log in to submit an application but could not remember his login credentials as he was still dealing with the previous day’s misfortune. The appellant requests that the Civil Service Commission (Commission) show compassion and allow him to submit a late application for the subject examination.

CONCLUSION

RuleN.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.6(a)2 provides, in pertinent part, that applicants for promotional examinations shall meet all requirements contained in the announcement. N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.1(e) provides, in pertinent part, that applications for promotional examinations shall be submitted no later than 4:00 P.M. on the announced application filing date.

AnalysisUpon review, the Commission declines to permit the appellant to file a late application. The appellant had a three-week window from July 1, 2021 to July 21, 2021 to file. Although the appellant cites a computer malfunction that apparently occurred on the very last day of that window, the appellant had 20 preceding days in which to file his application. The appellant does not explain why he could not do so. Accordingly, notwithstanding the appellant’s unfortunate computer issue, the Commission can find no basis in this case to allow him to file a late application. That the examination resulted in a complete list of three eligibles only bolsters that conclusion.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this request be denied.

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