Saratoga Springs Civil Service Commission on March 26 approved multiple personnel actions and administrative updates, including two exempt-class appointments, several leaves of absence, a revision to the maintenance mechanic job specification and a package of seasonal and school-related hires.

The changes approved at the meeting affect City Hall departments including the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Mayor’s office, the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority, and the city school staffing list. Carissa Salvo, staff coordinator, summarized the items and said, “This will be a very quick agenda today.”

Why it matters: The commission’s routine approvals set who can be hired, placed on eligible lists and temporarily excused from duty, and a change to the maintenance mechanic specification is intended to broaden the applicant pool for a long-open vacancy at the housing authority.

What the commission approved

- Exempt-class appointments: The commission approved two exempt appointments — a Deputy Commissioner of Public Works and an Executive Assistant — following a motion and second; the vote was taken and approved. (Motion record: mover not specified; second not specified; outcome: approved.)

- Leave of absence, DPW heavy equipment operator: The commission approved an unpaid leave of absence for one DPW heavy equipment operator who did not have accrued leave time. (Outcome: approved.)

- Maintenance mechanic job specification (Housing Authority): Commissioners voted to revise the maintenance mechanic job specification used by the housing authority, reducing the previously required four years of experience to two years “to hopefully open up the applicant pool a little bit,” Salvo said. The commission approved the change. (Outcome: approved.)

- Leave of absence, assistant building inspector: A leave of absence for one assistant building inspector was approved. Salvo noted the department currently has four assistant building inspectors and additional related positions. (Outcome: approved.)

- Seasonal and recreational hires: The commission approved part-time appointments for recreation staff, including two recreation assistants, three recreation leaders and two recreation specialists, to support upcoming seasonal programs such as Camp Saradac and summer ice-rink staffing. (Outcome: approved.)

- School appointments and labor-class hires: The commission approved noncompetitive appointments for two part-time clerks, two part-time keyboard specialists and four part-time teacher aides; it also approved labor-class appointments for three food service helpers and one school monitor. (Outcome: approved.)

- Completed probationary appointment: The commission approved one completed probationary period for a competitive clerk in the school classification. (Outcome: approved.)

Exams, eligible lists and fees

Salvo reviewed the commission’s upcoming exam schedule and eligible lists, reporting that several exams are scheduled through June and that organizers are still securing space. “We have exams, what is it, April? April fifth. We have a location for that at the high school,” Salvo said, adding that the police officer exam is scheduled for May 3 and that space remains to be finalized. She said the commission may need to rent a VFW or similar site if school or county facilities are unavailable. Salvo also reported an exam fee billing to the state of $4,592 for 2024 test materials.

Procedural notes and calendar

Most motions on the agenda passed by voice vote with no recorded dissent. Commissioners Joanna Zangrando, Jeff Altamari and Chairperson Tim Holmes were present for roll call. The commission set a tentative next meeting and discussed a scheduling conflict for the June meeting; members agreed to revisit dates at the April meeting.

Details and clarifications

- The maintenance mechanic specification change applies to the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority posting and reduces the required experience from four years to two years; other title duties were not changed, according to staff remarks.
- Salvo indicated eligible lists were being established and that some lists include only a small number of names; she noted the office maintains an “office rental line” in the budget to cover occasional facility rental costs for exams.
- The commission’s stated jurisdiction follows the New York State civil service framework and applies to positions in the classified service for Saratoga Springs City and associated local entities (city school district, public library, city center and housing authority), as noted in opening remarks.

Ending

The meeting lasted roughly 15 minutes and concluded with a motion to adjourn. Commissioners said they would revisit scheduling for the June meeting at the April session.