Civil Service, Department of

Agency Web Site: https://www.cs.ny.gov/

Mission

The Department of Civil Service is charged with providing human resource management services to the State and local governments. The Department assists State agencies with workforce recruitment and placement services, administers tests, oversees job classifications, and administers benefits.

Organization and Staffing

The agency is organized into the following divisions: Merit and Fitness, Employee Benefits, Classification and Compensation, and Commission Operations and Municipal Assistance.

The New York State Civil Service Commission, a separate entity, is composed of three members: the President of the Commission, who is also the Commissioner of the Department of Civil Service, and two other commissioners. The Commission adopts and modifies rules governing a wide range of State civil service matters.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2022 Executive Budget recommends $59.5 million ($16.6 million General Fund; $39.8 million Internal Service Funds; $1.1 million Special Revenue Funds-Other; and $2.0 million for Aid to Localities). The $800,000 increase to the General Fund is a result of the implementation of virtual testing efforts. The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 336 FTEs, unchanged from FY 2021.

Program Highlights

Executive Direction

The agency leadership provides operational management of the agency and strategic direction for the State as it relates to workforce management. With its agency partners, the Department is actively supporting civil service reform initiatives such as: title consolidation/skill development; knowledge transfer/succession planning; employee recognition; and exam system modernization. In addition, as the administrator of one of the nation’s largest employer-sponsored health plans, the Department strives to provide comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage for its participants, while protecting the State’s taxpayers through cost-effective management.

Classification and Compensation

The Classification and Compensation Division is responsible for establishing and maintaining a sound title and position classification system for State government that ensures equitable pay that is adaptable to market conditions. The Department recently launched a new initiative, C&C Direct, to allow for a better alignment between Civil Service and agency managers in developing classification and compensation solutions.

Staffing Services Division

The Staffing Services Division is responsible for assisting State agencies with staffing the State workforce, which includes providing merit system guidance; planning, developing and implementing examinations; recruiting and placing personnel; and establishing, maintaining and certifying eligible lists. The Department is currently working on updating strategies to improve communications with agencies and candidates, as well as simplifying the examination process.

Testing Services Division

The Testing Services Division is responsible for the development, scoring, and validation of State and local examinations as well as the administration of State examinations. The Department is focused on modernizing its approach to test delivery, enabling greater use of computerized testing and increasing efficiencies in the examination process. The exam system modernization initiative includes many projects and program enhancements including increased use of core competency testing to reduce reliance on customized examinations; weekday testing; and enhanced electronic communication.

Employee Health Service

The Employee Health Services Division provides medical examination services to determine the ability of pre-employment candidates and agency employees to safely perform the essential duties of a State job title and occupational health screenings to assist agencies in maintaining the health and safety of their employees throughout the State. The Department has implemented Lean principles to address increasing workload volumes and recently completed a project to assess procedures involving workflow in one of its medical clinics.

Employee Benefits Division

The Employee Benefits Division administers the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), which covers 1.2 million State and local government employees, retirees, and their families. In addition, the Division also manages several other benefit programs, including worker’s compensation, dental insurance, vision care benefits, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and life insurance. Since 2013, the Department has worked with the Department of Health to align the health care purchasing strategies of the New York State Medicaid Program and NYSHIP, which focus on the expansion of medical homes and performance-based provider contracting. These efforts align with the Department’s goal of improving care and health, while lowering costs.

Commission Operations and Municipal Assistance

The Commission Operations Division provides support services to the State Civil Service Commission. The Municipal Assistance Services Program provides oversight, advice, and examination assistance to 95 local civil service agencies as required by Civil Service Law.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Management

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion Management is responsible for supporting all State agencies in developing a Statewide Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, as well as a Framework and Implementation Plan to increase diversity in the workforce, and cultivate and promote an environment of workplace inclusion, pursuant to Executive Order No. 187. The Office assists State agencies with incorporating equal employment opportunity principles into their operational policies and practices, including the vital programs and services delivered to State employees and the public.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/19/2021