Rajini Allareddy, CSC Docket No. 2025-2727

Appellant's argumentRajini Allareddy requests reconsideration of the final decision of the Civil Service Commission (Commission) in In the Matter of Rajini Allareddy (CSC, decided June 11, 2025), which found her ineligible for the Supervisor Information Technology (PS4798K), Department of Human Services, promotional examination.

BackgroundBy way of background, the Supervisor Information Technology (PS4798K), Department of Human Services, promotional examination was announced with a February 21, 2024 closing date and was open, in pertinent part, to applicants who possessed a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university plus five years of professional experience in an Information Technology Operational Support unit for a large public or private information processing facility, including at least three years of experience with an information technology operational support unit supporting a multiplatform Client Server LAN or WAN environment or Mainframe operation. Applicants who did not possess a Bachelor’s degree could have substituted additional experience on a year-for-year basis with one year of experience equaling 30 semester credit hours. The examination announcement also stipulated that the possession of a Master’s degree in Information Technology or related studies could have substituted for one year of the required experience. In addition, 30 semester credit hours in Information Technology could have been substituted for one year of experience. Evidence of formal training received from or evaluated by an accredited institution of higher learning could have been considered provided that applicants submitted documentation from the accredited institution that clearly outlined the training course(s) that were acceptable and the corresponding number of credit hours for the training to be accepted. A test was administered on April 8, 2025, resulting in a list of two eligibles.1 Certification PS250797 was issued on May 8, 2025, containing the two eligibles and one eligible was appointed. Therefore, the subject eligible list is incomplete as it contains only one name, and it expires on May 7, 2027.

The Division of Agency Services credited the appellant for her Bachelor’s degree and one year and nine months of applicable experience as a Software Development Specialist 3 but determined that she lacked three years and three months of the requisite experience. Thereafter, the appellant pursued an appeal with the Commission. However, the Commission denied her appeal as it determined that none of her remaining positions rose to the level and scope of those required by the title under test.

Appellant's argumentIn her request for reconsideration, the appellant explains how she performed the required duties as a Software Development Specialist 2 from March 2012 to October 2020. Additionally, the appointing authority’s Chief Information Officer/Assistant Director, Office of Information Systems, confirms the appellant’s representation of her experience.

CONCLUSION

RuleN.J.A.C. 4A:2-1.6(a) provides that within 45 days of receipt of a decision, a party to the appeal may petition the Commission for reconsideration. N.J.A.C. 4A:2- 1.6(b) sets forth the standards by which a prior decision may be reconsidered. This rule provides that a party must show that a clear material error has occurred, or present new evidence or additional information not presented at the original proceeding which would change the outcome of the case and the reasons that such evidence was not presented at the original proceeding. A review of the record indicates that reconsideration is justified.

AnalysisUpon reconsideration, the appellant explains how she performed the required duties for the requisite time. Further, the Chief Information Officer/Assistant Director confirms the appellant’s representation of her experience. Moreover, the subject eligible list is incomplete as there is only one eligible. Therefore, the Commission grants the appellant’s request for reconsideration for eligibility purposes only. It is emphasized that, when submitting examination applications in the future, the appellant must accurately and completely present her employment history or she may be found ineligible for an examination, as was the case here initially. Accordingly, since the Commission has found her to be eligible for the subject examination, the appellant’s application shall be processed, and she shall be admitted to a make-up examination, for prospective appointment opportunities only.

1 The initial decision indicated that the subject eligible list promulgated with four eligibles.

However, there were only two applicants admitted to this particular examination, whose names appear on the subject eligible list.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this request be granted. Additionally, it is ordered that the appellant be admitted to a make-up examination for Supervisor Information Technology (PS4798K), Department of Human Services, for prospective appointment opportunities only.

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