– New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Louis A. Molina today announced a first-of-its-kind civil service exam series that will allow candidates to qualify for multiple critical public safety positions with a single exam. The first of the three public safety combination exams will help fill nearly 900 positions available across multiple city agencies, including New York City Police Department (NYPD) school safety agents, NYPD traffic enforcement agents, special officers of the Civilian Complaint Review Board, DCAS, the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, the New York City Department of Finance, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City Department of Sanitation enforcement agents, the New York City Department of Social Services, the New York City Department of Transportation, the New York City Housing Authority, New York City Public Schools, NYC Health + Hospital, the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings, the Bronx County District Attorney, the Kings County District Attorney, and the New York County District Attorney. DCAS has also launched a campaign encouraging New Yorkers to seize this unique opportunity to begin meaningful careers to protect public safety, serve their communities, and build successful futures for themselves and their families with the stability and benefits of government employment.
Following the launch of the public safety combination exam, which is currently open until November 29, 2024, two more exams are planned — the second in spring 2025 with a third to follow. These combination exams will offer opportunities for over 2,000 vacant positions in various additional public safety titles, including New York City Department of Probation officer, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation urban park ranger, New York City Department of Environmental Protection police officer, NYPD police officer, and New York City Department of Correction officer.
“The prerequisites to prosperity are public safety and justice, and public safety cannot exist without dedicated members of our community willing to make a difference,” said Mayor Adams. “We want the best of the best working for New York City — and that includes hundreds of thousands of hard-working residents of the five boroughs. The new public safety combination exams will help recruit the talented and dedicated public servants we need, while ensuring that applying for a meaningful career makes our city more affordable for everyone.”
“This exam is more than just a test; it’s an invitation for New Yorkers to step up and make a real difference in their communities,” said Deputy Mayor Parker. “If you are someone who cares about our city and wants a career with purpose, there is a place on our team for you.”
“Ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers has been the cornerstone of my professional journey; my roots in public safety are the foundation for my nearly 25-year career in city government. Now, it’s your turn to build your career and lay your first cornerstone in public safety, and it’s never been easier to join,” said DCAS Commissioner Molina. “With one civil service test, there are now multiple public safety paths to walk, complete with good pay, a pension, and the knowledge that you’re making a difference for your city. I encourage everyone interested in serving to sign up for the test today!”
The application period for the first exam is open now through November 29, 2024. Interested candidates can apply for the “Public Safety Exam, Level 1” online through the New York City Online Application System or in person at one of DCAS’ Computer-based Testing and Application Centers. There is a one-time application fee of $47.00 for the “Public Safety Exam, Level 1,” making applying for public safety-related jobs more affordable for applicants. Prior to this level 1 combination exam, candidates would have had to pay four separate application fees totaling $209.00. Candidates may be eligible for an application fee waiver if they are veterans, unemployed, or receiving public assistance.
DCAS’ multi-channel public awareness campaign, “Choose Your Character, Choose Your Badge,” aims to inspire New Yorkers to serve their city by exploring the diverse career paths in public safety through this exam. The campaign highlights the opportunities and rewards of these essential roles, encouraging residents to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Successful candidates hired in these roles will receive comprehensive benefits, which may include union protection, pension plans, and opportunities for future salary increases, supporting long-term career growth and financial stability.
The multiple-choice exam will take place at DCAS’ testing centers across the five boroughs beginning on January 10, 2025. Candidates who pass the exam will be placed on an eligible hiring list ranked by exam score and may be called for interviews to fill one of the nearly 900 public safety roles currently available for school safety agents, traffic enforcement agents, and special officers. The hiring list will remain active for four years to fill new positions as they become available, including for sanitation enforcement agents.
The public safety exam is the latest initiative by Mayor Adams’ administration to enhance efficiency and collaboration between the city’s public safety agencies. As a result of these efforts, major crime in New York City has declined for 10 straight months in 2024, in addition to sustained quarterly and year-to-date reductions.
This announcement also builds on the Adams administration’s success in creating equitable pipelines to enter the city’s workforce, which have historically been a vehicle for economic mobility for millions of New Yorkers. In April, Mayor Adams launched “Run This Town,” a $1 million multi-media advertising campaign to engage diverse New Yorkers and help them apply for thousands of available city government jobs. The “Run This Town” campaign was preceded by the launch of “Jobs NYC,” a multi-pronged citywide effort to reduce barriers to economic opportunities and deliver workforce development services directly to communities across the five boroughs that are experiencing high unemployment. In September 2024, the administration announced that as part of Jobs NYC, 8,500 New Yorkers had been connected to jobs and free training resources at 26 hiring halls over six months in neighborhoods with the highest unemployment rates.
“This initiative not only creates a streamlined path for individuals to enter critical roles within city agencies, but it also offers New Yorkers a unique opportunity to serve their communities, protect the public, and build stable futures for themselves and their families,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “I am excited that Mayor Eric Adams and Commissioner Louis A. Molina are opening the door for New Yorkers to make a lasting impact on the future of our city.”
“Today’s announcement heralds a pivotal step in New York City’s mission to enhance the hiring framework and broaden entry to vital public service positions,” said New York State Senator Robert Jackson. “This forward-thinking strategy not only eases the route to employment in public safety but also underscores a key progression in attracting and retaining committed personnel ready to protect and serve our communities. I applaud the city’s administration and agencies for their leadership in nurturing a more streamlined and welcoming civil service system that genuinely addresses the needs of all New Yorkers.”
“Our historic first-ever joint public safety civil service exams will allow us to uplift hundreds of our fellow New Yorkers and set them on meaningful career paths, all with unprecedented efficiency,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “For the first time, a single test will open the door to almost 900 fulfilling public safety careers that offer living wages, generous benefits, employment protection, and retirement security. These benefits rightfully go to those who are protecting the safety of our children, our public housing, our parks, our hospitals, and the numerous agencies that make our city tick. All of this comes without having to take multiple tests, saving precious time and money. I look forward to the incredible, diverse pool of talent that will join the ranks of public service.”
“The tireless dedication of our public servants ensures the wonderful and continuous operation of our city and its much-needed services,” said Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. “Any chance to add to the many who already serve is welcomed, and any chance to increase those services is wanted. For those who choose to avail themselves of these new exam opportunities, it will be the first step towards giving back to all of our communities and improving society.”
November 15, 2024 New York City Hall
Sources: NYC.gov , Midtown Tribune
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