NYC - Civil Service Exam Civil Service Reading Comprehension 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following passage and answer the question. "City agencies are required to post all job openings on the NYC Careers website for a minimum of five business days before accepting applications. Positions that require a civil service examination must also be listed in the City Record, the official journal of the City of New York. Failure to follow these posting requirements may result in the hiring process being invalidated." According to the passage, what is one consequence of failing to meet posting requirements?
- The agency must pay a fine to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
- The hiring process may be declared invalid. (Correct answer)
- The job posting must remain active for an additional five days.
- The position must be reposted in the City Record only.
Correct answer: The hiring process may be declared invalid.
The passage states directly that 'failure to follow these posting requirements may result in the hiring process being invalidated,' making option B the correct answer.
Question 2: Read the following passage and answer the question. "Employees who wish to appeal a disciplinary action must submit a written notice of appeal to the Office of Labor Relations within 30 calendar days of receiving the disciplinary decision. Appeals submitted after this window will not be considered unless the employee can demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances prevented timely filing. All appeals must include the employee's name, title, agency, and a brief statement of the grounds for appeal." An employee who misses the 30-day appeal deadline may still have their appeal considered if they can show what?
- They submitted the appeal to their direct supervisor within 30 days.
- The disciplinary action was issued by someone outside their agency.
- Extraordinary circumstances prevented them from filing on time. (Correct answer)
- They have been employed by the city for more than five years.
Correct answer: Extraordinary circumstances prevented them from filing on time.
The passage states that late appeals will not be considered 'unless the employee can demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances prevented timely filing,' which corresponds to option C.
Question 3: Read the following passage and answer the question. "The Citywide Conflict of Interest Board prohibits city employees from accepting gifts valued at more than $50 from any person or organization that does business with, or has a matter pending before, the employee's agency. Employees who receive unsolicited gifts exceeding this amount must report them to the Board within 10 days and either return the gift or surrender it to the agency." According to the passage, what must a city employee do upon receiving an unsolicited gift worth more than $50 from a vendor?
- Keep the gift but file a disclosure form with their supervisor.
- Report the gift to the Board within 10 days and return or surrender it. (Correct answer)
- Donate the gift to a city-approved charity within 30 days.
- Refuse the gift immediately and notify the vendor in writing.
Correct answer: Report the gift to the Board within 10 days and return or surrender it.
The passage specifies that employees who receive unsolicited gifts exceeding $50 must 'report them to the Board within 10 days and either return the gift or surrender it to the agency,' matching option B exactly.
Question 4: Read the following passage and answer the question. "Under the NYC Civil Service Law, a probationary period is required for most newly appointed employees. This period typically lasts one year, during which the employee may be dismissed without a formal hearing. Once the probationary period is successfully completed, the employee gains permanent status and is entitled to certain due process protections before any dismissal can occur." What protection does an employee gain after successfully completing the probationary period?
- The right to negotiate their salary directly with the agency commissioner.
- Automatic promotion to the next civil service grade.
- Entitlement to due process protections before dismissal. (Correct answer)
- A guaranteed minimum of five years of continued employment.
Correct answer: Entitlement to due process protections before dismissal.
The passage states that after completing the probationary period, the employee 'gains permanent status and is entitled to certain due process protections before any dismissal can occur,' which is option C.
Question 5: Read the following passage and answer the question. "NYC agency heads must ensure that all employees complete mandatory ethics training within 60 days of hire and every two years thereafter. Training may be completed online through the citywide learning management system or in person at a scheduled session. Employees who fail to complete the required training by the deadline may have their access to city systems suspended until compliance is achieved." According to the passage, how often must city employees complete mandatory ethics training after their initial session?
- Once a year on a date set by their agency.
- Every two years. (Correct answer)
- Every 60 days.
- Once every five years, unless otherwise directed.
Correct answer: Every two years.
The passage states training is required 'within 60 days of hire and every two years thereafter,' so the recurring interval is every two years, as stated in option B.
Question 6: Read the following passage and answer the question. "City employees who are called to active military duty are entitled to leave without pay for the duration of their service. Upon returning, employees must notify their agency within 90 days and are entitled to reinstatement to their former position or a comparable one. Benefits accrued prior to deployment, including seniority and pension credit, must be restored upon reinstatement." What must a city employee do to secure their right to reinstatement after returning from active military duty?
- Submit a written reinstatement request to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Notify their agency within 90 days of returning from service. (Correct answer)
- Re-take any required civil service examination for their position.
- Provide at least 30 days' advance notice before returning to work.
Correct answer: Notify their agency within 90 days of returning from service.
The passage states that returning employees 'must notify their agency within 90 days' to be entitled to reinstatement, making option B the correct answer.
NYC - Civil Service Exam Civil Service Reading Comprehension 1
Read the following passage and answer the question.
"City agencies are required to post all job openings on the NYC Careers website for a minimum of five business days before accepting applications.
Positions that require a civil service examination must also be listed in the City Record, the official journal of the City of New York.
Failure to follow these posting requirements may result in the hiring process being invalidated."
According to the passage, what is one consequence of failing to meet posting requirements?