REMARKS
Council Member Amanda Farías on Proposing Band Scoring for Civil Service Exams
1:04:33
·
3 min
Council Member Amanda Farías proposes implementing the band scoring method in civil service exams to enhance equity and efficiency.
- Farías argues for the modernization of the civil service exam process to prioritize equity and efficiency.
- She explains band scoring would allow a wider range of qualified candidates to be considered, giving hiring managers more discretion.
- The method aims to address staffing shortages by broadening the pool of candidates.
- It is supported by government reform advocates and was previously suggested by the Bloomberg Administration's workforce reform task force.
- Farías intends to work with stakeholders to ensure the reform leads to a fair and just workplace for all New Yorkers.
Amanda Farías
1:04:33
Thank you so much, chair, especially as I am coming in at the tail end and you're allowing me a few minutes.
1:04:39
So Thank you for holding the support hearing and for hearing my pre considered resolution to implement the band scoring method for competitive civil service titles.
1:04:47
Currently, there are numerous opportunities in front of us to modernize our civil service exam process while prioritizing equity and efficacy.
1:04:54
Right now, the exam scoring methodology is primed for reform.
1:04:58
It is the responsibility of New York City's Commission of Citywide Administrative services to reform and streamline the exam process to support a continuous pipeline for qualified workers into city agency Band scoring allows for more opportunity for candidates who have demonstrated similar and or equivalent merit and fitness in their raw examination scores rather than just focusing on the current top 3.
1:05:21
This would grant more discretion to the hiring manager to identify candidates who are best suited for the job, not just to perform form the best on the exam.
1:05:30
Qualified workers wait in a long digital line for over a year for their number list for their list number to be called for.
1:05:37
Which is not only detrimental for our city, but for workers.
1:05:41
As someone who formerly worked in job training, especially for those folks that are on the New York State Department of Labor's civil service exam list.
1:05:54
I understand firsthand that this is an opportunity for us to continue looking at different ways that we can assist both those that go through our unionize apprenticeship models or job training models to run our city and don't necessarily lose their talent waiting 2 years on a list to be called for a qualified title or position.
1:06:12
By changing our scoring method, we would Only be maximizing the pools of qualified candidates and amplifying the opportunity for matches between candidates and hiring agencies helping New Yorkers access quality and sustainable jobs while also addressing our city wide staffing shortage.
1:06:31
I do wanna note that the scoring technique is endorsed by government reform advocates nationwide and was even suggested back in 20 11 way back when by the workforce reform task force assembled by the former Bloomberg Administration, and we're sounding consistent with the city's rules and should adopt and recommend it that the city should adopt band scoring.
1:06:51
Since the inception the civil service exam has evolved to best serve the city's interest and to ensure the quality of of the city's civil servants and that this legacy This is something as a legacy my colleagues and I hope to continue with my pre considered resolution, enter the discussions at this hearing.
1:07:10
I look forward to continuing to speak with the administration on this matter.
1:07:13
More specifically, our civil service workers, unions, and advocates on what currently work what challenges may be presented and what may be beneficial by this change and working with my colleagues and the chair of this committee to advance greater reform to ensure our city agencies are a fair and just workplace for all New Yorkers.
1:07:31
We know it works for some and not for all.
1:07:35
And that's really the the goal of this preconceived resolution to ensure that we keep looking at ways to keep where it works for some folks, but really be able to benefit for for the majority of New Yorkers.
1:07:46
So thank you for the time, and appreciate you.
1:07:49
Sure.
