![\"NYS](\"https:\/\/communicator.pef.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/02\/NYSDCS.jpg\")
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February 14, 2025 —<\/em> When the HELP program was introduced in 2023 by the Department of Civil Service (DCS), it was meant to be a temporary initiative to support hiring at agencies that urgently needed staff. The program focused on specific titles and waived exams to fast track the process. In 2024, the program was expanded to become NY HELPS and extended to include additional titles.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In 2024, PEF voiced concern that NY HELPS would focus only on hiring and that priorities around hosting examinations and re-examining competitive salaries would no longer be a focus for DCS. Part of PEF\u2019s careful support for the program, however, was to place a one-year time limit on the program.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On Feb. 12, the Civil Service Commission approved an extension of NY HELPS through June 2026. The Commission also added new titles to the program.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While PEF supports the overall goal to transform the hiring process, PEF Acting Director of Civil Service Enforcement and Research Veronica Foley told Civil Service Commissioner Timothy Hogues that while DCS is working to improve recruitment, there are still concerns about ongoing retention efforts.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n During the 2023 \u2013 2024 legislative session, PEF advocated for DCS to increase the number of promotion and transition exams within the state system in order to retain institutional knowledge and support state employees who are already in the system. However, data obtained by PEF shows a decrease.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Department provided PEF data on January 10, 2025, that demonstrates a decrease in the total number of promotion and transitions exams since NY HELPS was first implemented,\u201d testified Foley. \u201cIn 2022, a total of 568 promotion and transitions exams were held, in 2023, 527 were held and in 2024, 448 were held.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hosting promotion exams helps keep promotion lists robust. As the program exists now, promotion lists must be exhausted first and then the direct line promotion field canvassed before candidates from outside of State service can be hired. Without the increased number of exams DCS committed to establishing, lists are exhausted quickly, and outside hires can be made faster.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, 230 PEF members are currently serving under provisional titles, an issue which more promotional exams could remedy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jessica Rowe, the Deputy Commissioner for Merit System Operations at DCS, said that there is still a focus on retention at DCS, because of variables such as the type of examinations being held each year and the number of candidates who can apply to a title, the number of exams can take a hit.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe priority for the agency was to ensure that while we are able to recruit individuals through NY HELPS, that we also have a focus on retaining that talent through the holding of promotion examinations and transition exams,\u201d Rowe said. \u201cThat will continue if the program is extended. We will continue to focus on ensuring that we can retain the high-quality candidates and the other state employees who have already provided service and dedication to the New York State workforce.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n PEF\u2019s other concerns are with the ability to test overall. As DCS continues to work on opening 12 new testing centers, PEF has learned that two of the centers will open as \u201cpilots.\u201d However, no dates about when tests will be held has been provided.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPEF shares the Department\u2019s enthusiasm regarding these centers. They will help remedy longstanding concerns from our members regarding access to testing sites with the expectation that computer-based tests will speed up the hiring process and ensure more accurate test scoring,\u201d said Foley. \u201cThere remain questions about how the Department will build a completely new computer-based system for the centers and how they will staff them.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n During the meeting PEF also pushed for details about a promised comprehensive statewide salary review that has been in the works for more than two years. The DCS Division of Classification and Compensation was allocated $2.2 million to begin work on the studies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Commissioner Hogues shared some good news on that front, but admitted that it\u2019s coming along slowly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe compensation study kicked off last week,\u201d said Commissioner Hogues. \u201cThe plan, as I am told, is that it should run through the end of this year. The job evaluation RFP (request for proposal) was put out last week as well, so we\u2019re looking for a response in the coming months.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Still, PEF members say that they cannot wait for an increase in their salaries as prices across the country continue to skyrocket. PEF is hopeful that the results of these studies show a need for higher compensation for state workers, but asked DCS and the Commissioner to continue to work on increases.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are still waiting for the studies to begin, however when they do, we hope that these investigations do not interfere with the Department\u2019s regular work of processing requests for salary differentials and reallocations,\u201d said Foley.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n PEF is grateful and supportive of the work done by DCS and pledged to provide the Department any resources within the union\u2019s power to help with opening the regional testing centers, examining competitiveness, and increasing promotional exams.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe know that if they are allocated the necessary funds and resources to transform the civil service system, New York will be able to hire the talent needed to provide the critical public services New Yorkers depend on,\u201d said Foley. \u201cWe understand there are difficulties in meeting these goals, but NY HELPS is not a long-term solution.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" February 14, 2025 — When the HELP program was introduced in 2023 by the Department of Civil Service (DCS), it was meant to be a temporary initiative to support hiring…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":6656,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"division":[],"allowed_regions":[],"allowed_divisions":[],"class_list":["post-6651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","issue-volume-43-no-1"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n