[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6681934,"mediaKeyId","2160357-e5220e2cab58c0c288b88728c49195c9","parentId",2160357,"title","Civil service staff warn of heavy workload, hiring and exam-scheduling challenges as senior clerk departs","audioSeconds",529,"startMs",1291675,"endMs",1821474,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2160357-e5220e2cab58c0c288b88728c49195c9&start=1291&end=1821","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2160357-e5220e2cab58c0c288b88728c49195c9/thumbnail_1291675.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6681934/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/Civil-service-staff-warn-of-heavy-workload-hiring-and-exam-scheduling-challenges-as-senior-clerk-departs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681934-8250d0059313ae7154b059fe9c2c0b98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193852&Signature=ANNPL5srqCYP2ltSrCTnfoM4jtN1wqZp6D1gvpEBV30TvmjpO92A5ykTyFRJn7fRkbqCDPasi0aUO-7nUO~sEu9wizeYeLF3W6czmGLy6UFB4rJUpqUrdDAla5j6vW42sHQdp7Iy1UlKQ6arvkV69oS5p7yFQlihAe03VemSDB8BAvtDR5eRVwIlBJB2QvxdjOfYpQsNjlig5LTYU2b0Xia5nrVUV3pw2WmtbcAy5mVE~IkVBizT40OvzdmVJgOdm61AJJjkhHFKgJO0IjxODsPzANO~OT6wNnX5ZDYqCdf9OrBIIG2v8Zf3Fl0fKkTvOhlUW3omM6MmTLTs4bzDbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Saratoga","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","Senior civil service staff told the Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission on Jan. 29 that the office faces a significant workload and knowledge-transfer task after the upcoming departure of senior clerk Rachel De Oliveira, and that an unusually dense state exam schedule is increasing pressure on local administration.

Carissa Salvo, staff coordinator, described De Oliveira as \"not replaceable,\" saying the knowledge she has accumulated since 2021 is substantial and that the office plans to hire a part-time senior clerk with an overlap period so De Oliveira can train her replacement. Salvo said the city has a funded part-time line for the position in the 2025 budget and that the commission should expect a hands-on training period before De Oliveira leaves.

Why it matters: The civil service office administers hiring exams, eligibility lists and certifications that city departments rely on for staffing. Staff warned that insufficient overlap or training for the departing senior clerk could disrupt exam administration, candidate notifications and routine public-facing work.

Staff described multiple points of strain

- Training and knowledge transfer: Salvo said the plan is to have \"significant overlap\" so De Oliveira can train a new hire; she warned that without that cross-training the office's capacity to respond to public inquiries and manage detailed processes (grade letters, notifications, online job boards and window traffic) would be severely reduced.

- Dense exam schedule: Salvo reviewed the state exam calendar and said March 1 and May 3 are particularly busy for diverse series of exams. She gave the example of March 1, when the office will administer exams across multiple series, including accounts, housing authority positions and water meter series, alongside firefighter/paramedic exams. Salvo said the police officer exam was given in September and will be offered again May 3, 2025.

- Recruitment challenges for police: Salvo discussed recruitment shortfalls for entry-level law enforcement, noting that a September written exam produced an eligible list of 56 candidates but only about 20 attended a subsequent physical agility test; several of those were unsuccessful. She said the state will hold the police exam again in May and that those later candidates will likely be available for a January academy if timing permits.

- Staffing and proctoring burden: Salvo outlined a long roster of upcoming exams and said the civil service office will need additional monitoring support and time to run multiple exam series on the same day.

Direct quotes from staff

\"She's not replaceable. The knowledge that she has gained since 2021,\" Salvo said of senior clerk Rachel De Oliveira, explaining why overlap is needed for training.

\"We have to be very careful with the information we are providing to the public and to employees about the civil service process and whatever it entails,\" Salvo said, underscoring the operational risk of losing institutional knowledge without a proper handoff.

Process context and timeline

Salvo said she has not set a final departure date for De Oliveira and that hiring and training timing will determine the overlap period; she described a plan to recruit for a senior-clerk part-time position and to provide paid overlap for training. The commission noted it would be available to assist and asked staff to provide updates between meetings as needed.

Ending

Commissioners thanked staff for preparing the material and asked to be kept informed. Salvo said she will provide updates at the February meeting and by email if needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saratoga - Civil Service Commission - Jan 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commission staff said the pending departure of senior clerk Rachel De Oliveira and a dense state exam schedule are creating a substantial training and workload burden for civil service staff ahead of multiple upcoming exams.","taxTitle","Saratoga Springs City, Saratoga County, New York","taxId",7807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6681938,"Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission approves multiple hires, leaves and probation completions",1074,146559,1220740,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2160357-e5220e2cab58c0c288b88728c49195c9&start=146&end=1220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2160357-e5220e2cab58c0c288b88728c49195c9/thumbnail_146559.jpg","/articles/6681938/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/Saratoga-Springs-Civil-Service-Commission-approves-multiple-hires-leaves-and-probation-completions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6681938-1cb54b4a09d4dcc8def6dbc7e99b9e70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193852&Signature=Mq9jS1ftDP-~TD01f~DbuTnoR78GeJ-n4mePsPD4NKNSdVco5djnEZr0-Dyk1g1~r0XEM7utG5g8rZc0k8HqUi-3Vd5yB9FNfbaR6lAKrZ1AXORNyj2o0qTDqndGgq66DSKJMY7BZDuIMIg-sNI7ZnHch-1is2bhEhqCvOhkCjN4ZAcWx026FZAbbXrE~rvYEZppK7vLimtqlAP~PNhbmOJdRbO4oVDmKsnR3To7iMnfm6m3W4N8f1-lydPmU62FoVT3nu0573uuXCdeUuXM-~DC2yzIrXre9QFIBOaZhUn3R~RXVfv3yGm4o8~3ATsju1SksQVF7Wwz3X4ADJ5gwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission on Jan. 29 approved a series of personnel actions across city departments, including noncompetitive appointments, leaves of absence and completed probationary periods.

The actions approved included two noncompetitive appointments in the Department of Public Works, the early return from leave of working supervisor Joe O'Neil (effective 01/26/25), a lateral police transfer for Officer Matt Brooks of SUNY Albany, provisional appointments in the mayor's office and multiple part-time and seasonal appointments for recreation and school personnel.

Carissa Salvo, staff coordinator for the commission, told members that \"all is in good order\" for the DPW paperwork, the maintenance mechanic appointment and the other routine items presented during the action agenda. The commission voted on each item by voice; roll call earlier in the meeting showed Commissioners Joanna Zen Grando, Jeff Altamari and Chairperson Tim Holmes present.

Why it matters: These routine approvals keep multiple city operations staffed, from public safety to library services and school support, and set effective dates for several personnel changes that department managers said were needed for continuity.

Most important decisions

- Department of Public Works: Approved two noncompetitive class appointments (one maintenance mechanic and one working supervisor). The working supervisor position was filled by Joe O'Neil, who resumed the role effective Jan. 26, 2025; the commission noted the leave of absence approved in October had ended early. Motion: not specified; vote: unanimous (3 yes).

- DPW: Leave of absence for a heavy equipment operator approved. Motion: not specified; vote: unanimous (3 yes).

- DPW: Completion of probationary period for a DPW coordinator (described as having completed probation on the 16th). Motion: not specified; vote: unanimous (3 yes).

- Finance/IT: Approved completion of probationary period for a help desk technician. Motion: not specified; vote: unanimous (3 yes).

- Library: Approved two labor-class cleaner appointments and one noncompetitive building maintenance worker appointment. Motion(s): not specified; vote(s): unanimous (3 yes).

- Mayor's office: Approved provisional appointment of the administrator to the Office of Planning and Economic Development and a provisional administrative assistant. The administrator appointment was identified as effective Jan. 21 (provisional). Motion(s): not specified; vote(s): unanimous (3 yes).

- Public safety: Approved a lateral transfer for police officer Matt Brooks (identified as from SUNY Albany) after the department and civil service staff confirmed required qualifications and examinations were complete. Carissa Salvo noted the transfer process follows the civil service law procedures. Motion: not specified; vote: unanimous (3 yes).

- Recreation: Approved a provisional appointment of a program coordinator (effective Jan. 13) and multiple seasonal and part-time noncompetitive appointments (camp counselors, recreation assistants, recreation specialists). Motion(s): not specified; vote(s): unanimous (3 yes).

- Schools: Approved bulk noncompetitive appointments for part-time clerks, keyboard specialists, registered professional nurses, school bus drivers and a teacher aide; approved labor-class appointments for food service helpers and a school monitor; and approved completion of probationary periods for a keyboard specialist and a school monitor. Motion(s): not specified; vote(s): unanimous (3 yes).

Votes at a glance

The meeting record shows each motion was called, seconded and approved by voice with three \"aye\" responses following roll call that recorded three commissioners present. Individual motions were not recorded with named movers or seconders in the transcript. Where effective dates were discussed, they are reported as stated by staff: Joe O'Neil resumed the working supervisor role effective 01/26/25; at least one provisional mayor's-office appointment was effective Jan. 21; a recreation appointment was effective Jan. 13. Several probationary completions were described as having met 52-week requirements.

Process notes and references

Carissa Salvo, staff coordinator, repeatedly described the presented items as routine and \"in good order.\" Several approvals were characterized as standard noncompetitive or provisional appointments, and the commission reserved agenda minutes from November 2024 for a future meeting because they were not circulated in time.

Ending

Commissioners moved through the action agenda with no public comments and adjourned after completing the personnel and appointment business. The commission's next scheduled meeting was listed on the agenda; the annual report deadline to the state was noted as March 1 for items derived from the payroll close of 12/31/24.","The commission voted unanimously at its Jan. 29 meeting to approve a package of personnel actions across departments, including two Department of Public Works noncompetitive appointments, library and school hires, provisional appointments in the mayor's office and a lateral police transfer.","actionData","errors"]

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Civil service staff warn of heavy workload, hiring and exam-scheduling challenges as senior clerk departs

Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission approves multiple hires, leaves and probation completions