The probationary period is a time when new employees must prove themselves capable of doing the job for which they were hired. The probationary period for competitive employees is 26 weeks, except for some traineeships, where it runs the length of the training period.

The probationary period for labor and non-competitive positions in the county is usually for a period of one year. In non-county jurisdictions (towns, villages, etc.), the length of probationary periods may vary according to the jurisdiction’s bargaining agreement. Other than those non-competitive positions specifically excluded pursuant to section 75 of New York state civil service law, every appointment of a veteran or an exempt volunteer fire fighter to a position in the non-competitive, labor or exempt class is for a probationary term of twenty-six weeks.

A provisional appointment, which occurs only in the competitive class, is a temporary appointment to a position for which no eligible list exists or for which an eligible list exists with fewer than three candidates who are willing to accept the position. In order to become permanent, the employee who is provisionally appointed must take the next examination for the position in question. The appointment to the position is then made from among the three highest scoring passing candidates who indicate their willingness to accept the position. Civil Service law does not compel the appointing authority to choose the provisional employee should he or she be one of the three candidates.

Open-competitive examinations can be taken by any individual who meets the minimum education and experience qualifications cited on the job announcement. Promotional examinations are restricted to current employees who have had the required length of service in a specified position. It is possible for current County employees to take an examination both open-competitively and promotionally, and, if they successfully pass the exam, appear on both lists. When appointments to the position are made, however, candidates on the promotional list are canvassed and appointed before those on the open-competitive list.

Before deciding that a test should be scheduled, a number of factors are considered: the number of positions, the length of the current eligible list, the turnover of employees within the title. When a test is given, the resulting eligible list is valid for a least one year. However, the Personnel Officer may, at his discretion, extend a list for as long as 4 years. On the average, tests for titles that are not highly specialized are given every two years.

Civil service information may be obtained by checking the Department of Human Resources, Personnel and Civil Service Website or going to https://fe32117171640474721671.pub.s11.sfmc-content.com/llttst5wu4e and subscribing to the E-UPDATE for the Cilvil Service Examination Announcement Summary. When a new summary of upcoming examinations is released, you will receive notification by e-mail. You may also call our Information Division at (631) 853-5500 for information on Civil Service tests and examination application filing procedures.

The average length of time is six months, although many variables can affect the time frame. The Department of Human Resources, Personnel and Civil Service has an "open-filing" policy which allows applicants to file for any job title they may be interested in, whether or not an examination is currently scheduled; applications are then held in file and candidates are notified when the examination for the title is scheduled.

Address:
William J. Lindsay Complex
725 Veterans Memorial Highway
P.O. Box 6100
Building 158
Hauppauge, NY 11788

www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Civil-Service

If you are going to enter our address into your GPS, you should put “Smithtown” not “Hauppauge”.

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

You can apply online by going to the “Current List of Exams” page. Check the box of the exam title you want to apply for and continue to apply online. If you double click the title of the exam you want to apply for, it will bring up the announcement with information about the exam and minimum qualifications.

The fee is $40.00 for most exams, EXCEPT law enforcement exams, which are $125.00.

There are various reasons that a fee for an exam could be waived. When applying on-line, after completing the application, you can complete an “Application for Fee Waiver” before submitting the application.

You will receive a letter by the Wednesday before the test date informing you where to go to take the test. The exams are usually given at local schools or colleges. If you do not receive a letter by the Thursday before the test date, you should call Civil Service (631) 853-5500.

You will receive a letter by the Wednesday before the test date informing you where to go to take the test (scheduling letter). The information as to what you should bring will be in the scheduling letter. You will always need to bring your photo ID and two #2 pencils. If you lost the letter, contact Civil Service at (631) 853-5500.

You will receive a letter 4 to 6 months after you take the written test.

You should email csa@suffolkcountyny.gov if you are having technical problems applying for an exam online.

If your address has changed, you should go to the Civil Service website, click on the link that says “Online Forms”, and print out the “Change of Address” form or click here.

You can either bring in the completed form to Civil Service, mail it in, or fax it: Fax (631) 853-6306 (if you have already received your grade and are on a list).

OR

Fax (631) 853-4796 (if you have not yet received your grade and list is not established).

Only passing grades (score of 70 and higher) are posted online, however, letters will be sent to every candidate who took an exam with their grade – whether they passed or failed.

A grade letter will be sent to you with your score once exam results are available. This letter will indicate whether your military points were applied to your score. If the military points were not applied and you believe they should have been, you will need to contact Civil Service Certification Department via email at civil.service@suffolkcountyny.gov.

No. Once an eligible list is established, it is too late to apply military points for that exam. Exceptions are only made for those who are on ACTIVE military status. Once you are honorably discharged and receive your DD-214 Member 4, you should send it to Civil Service to have your military points applied. If you have any further questions regarding military points, you should contact Civil Service at civil.service@suffolkcountyny.gov.

Employment Verification calls should be directed to Audit & Control 631-853-4028 or 631-853-5766. Requests can also be made via fax to 631-853-6041.

Civil service information may be obtained by checking the Department of Human Resources, Personnel and Civil Service Website and subscribing to the E-UPDATE for the Civil Service Examination Announcement Summary. When a new summary of upcoming examinations is released, you will receive notification by email. You may also call our Information Division at (631) 853-5500 for information on Civil Service tests and examination application filing procedures.