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Section 8 Examinations

8.01 Character of Examination

Examinations will be developed so as to be job-relevant and to measure the relative capacity and fitness of the persons examined to discharge the duties of the positions to which they seek to be appointed.

8.02 Scheduling of Examination

The time, place, and type of an examination shall be determined by the Commission. The Commission may cancel or postpone an examination because of inadequate number of applicants, a change in requirements, or for other sufficient cause. Cancellations or postponements shall be posted on the Commission’s website, and each qualified candidate shall be notified via electronic mail.

In certain circumstances, the Commission may allow for examination rescheduling for candidates who cannot attend their regularly-scheduled administration for legitimate, verifiable reasons. Candidates will be notified via electronic mail if rescheduling is permitted for an examination. Rescheduling determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis according to the PRC’s rescheduling policy, which is available here.

Under no circumstances will additional exam administrations be scheduled or held after the eligibility list for said examination is established.

8.03 Contents of Examination

Examinations may include an evaluation of such factors as education, training, capacity, knowledge, manual dexterity, and physical or psychological fitness. Tests may be written, oral, physical, demonstration of skill, or an evaluation of training and experience, and shall be designed to fairly test the relative capacity of the persons examined to discharge the particular duties of the position for which appointment is sought. Tests may include structured interviews; assessment centers; work simulations; examinations of knowledge, skills, and abilities; and any other acceptable testing method.

No question on the examination shall relate to the race, ethnic background, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, political affiliation or opinion, religious belief, gender identity, or age of any applicant unless otherwise lawfully required.

8.04 Identity of Examinee Concealed

The identity of all persons taking competitive examinations shall be concealed by the use of an identification number, which shall be used on all examination papers. This number shall be used from the beginning of the examination until after the papers are rated. Any examination papers bearing the candidate’s name or any other identification mark shall be rejected and the candidate so notified.

8.05 Fraud in Examinations

Fraud in examinations is prohibited and shall result in automatic disqualification. No person shall:

(1) Falsely mark, grade, estimate, or report upon the examination or proper standing of any person examined, registered or certified pursuant to the provisions of the civil service law, or aid in so doing;

(2) Make any false representations concerning the results of such examination or concerning any person examined;

(3) Furnish to another person special or secret information for the purpose of either improving or injuring the prospects or chances of another person so examined, registered, or certified, or to be appointed, employed, or promoted;

(4) Impersonate another person, or permit or aid in any manner another person to impersonate a candidate, in connection with any examination, registration, or appointment, or application or request to be examined, registered, or appointed;

(5) Furnish false information about himself/herself, or other person, in connection with any examination, registration, or appointment or application or request to be examined (including a request for examination rescheduling or reasonable accommodation), registered, or appointed;

(6) Make known or assist in making known to any applicant for examination any question to be asked on such examination;

(7) Acquire, through fraudulent means, any exam content or question(s) to be asked on the examination prior to the examination; or

(8) Personally solicit a favor from any appointing officer, or have any person on his/her behalf solicit a favor pertaining to the testing procedures of the PRC.

Any person or persons attempting to deceive any of the examiners in any manner whatsoever shall be prohibited from taking any examination for employment with the County for a period of two (2) years. If the person is already in the County service, such conduct shall be grounds for disciplinary action; the Commission will notify the Director of HR upon learning of any such conduct.

[Reference Section 303.03(D) of the County Code]

8.06 Method of Grading

The method of grading—including the setting of minimum passing scores, weighting of multiple test components, rank ordering, banding, or any other consideration in determining a candidate’s score on an employment test—shall be determined by the Commission on a test-by-test basis.

[Reference Section 303.03(E) of the County Code]

8.07 Credit for Military (Uniformed) Service

Any person who has been honorably discharged from the uniformed services or transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service may file with the Commission Form DD214, member copy 4 as proof of military service, and, upon verification, the person shall receive an additional credit of 5% of the maximum score for the examination, provided the candidate has received a passing grade in all phases of the examination before addition of the military service credit.

Any person in good standing of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States who successfully completes the member’s initial entry-level training may submit to the Commission proof of such completion, and, upon verification, the person shall receive an additional credit of 5% of the maximum score for the examination, provided the candidate has received a passing grade in all phases of the examination before addition of the military service credit.

Proof of uniformed service shall be filed on or before the date and time of the examination administration in order to receive the military service credit.

As used in these Rules, “uniformed services” and “reserve component” include service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army Reserve, Naval Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service, or any other category of persons designated by the President in time of war or emergency.

[Reference Section 303.03(F) of the County Code]

8.08 Examination Records

All selection devices and examination papers are the property of the Commission and shall be treated as confidential records to the maximum extent possible under law.

8.09 Notice of Results

After the grading of the examination has been completed, all candidates who took the exam shall be notified via electronic mail when the eligibility list has been posted to the Commission’s website.

8.10 Noncompetitive Examinations

The Commission may suspend competition for positions in the categories identified in Rule 6.02.

For positions designated as noncompetitive, the applicants shall file an application for employment together with such proof of education, training, experience, ability, and character, as shall be set forth in the examination announcement.

Applications will be evaluated by Commission staff to determine if the applicants meet the minimum requirements of the class specifications for the class being examined. Following this review, an eligibility list shall be prepared including the names of all applicants who met the minimum requirements. Applicants will appear in alphabetical order.

[Reference Section 303.03(G) of the County Code]

8.11 Reexamination Policy

Once an eligibility list has been established as the result of an examination, candidates who attended the examination (including those who voluntarily withdrew) will not be permitted to reexamine for that position prior to the scheduled expiration of the eligibility list unless the list is fully exhausted or a period of four months has passed from the establishment date, whichever occurs last. This includes any additional exam scheduled due to fewer than ten (10) names remaining on the eligibility list, as provided in Rules 10.02 and 10.03. Eligible candidates who meet the minimum requirements of the classification may be eligible for reexamination only if a new exam is scheduled in order to establish a new eligibility list, and then only if they reapply in response to the new exam announcement.