All appointments and promotions will be based on merit and fitness and, where applicable, after competitive examination.
A. 
Unclassified service. In accordance with Civil Service Law and for purposes of this Employee Handbook, the term "unclassified service" will include all individuals who are elected officials and/or members of boards or commissions.
B. 
Classified service. In accordance with Civil Service Law and for purposes of this Employee Handbook, the term "classified service" will include all Town employees who are subject to the Rules for the Classified Civil Service of Ulster County. The Classified Service is divided into four jurisdictional classes:
(1) 
Exempt: those positions for which competitive or noncompetitive examinations or other qualification requirements are not practicable.
(2) 
Competitive: those positions for which it is practicable to determine merit and fitness by competitive examination.
(3) 
Noncompetitive: those positions for which it is not practicable to determine merit and fitness by competitive examination, but rather by a review of training and experience.
(4) 
Labor: those positions which require no specific minimum requirements.
In accordance with Civil Service Law, the following types of appointments will be made to positions in the competitive class:
A. 
Permanent: an appointment to a vacant position in the competitive class from an eligible list established as a result of examination, following successful completion of a probationary term;
B. 
Provisional: an appointment to a vacant position in the competitive class when there is not an appropriate eligible list. A provisional appointee must take an examination whenever it is scheduled. Thereafter, a permanent appointment will be made on the basis of the eligible list resulting from the examination; or
C. 
Temporary: an appointment to a position in the competitive class for reasons including, but not limited to: emergency work projects; planned termination of the position after a limited time; replacing an employee who is on a leave of absence; filling a position funded through a temporary grant; or filling a position vacated by the promotion of another employee until the employee who has been promoted receives permanent status. In accordance with Civil Service Law, a temporary appointment may be for a period of up to twelve months and may be subject to the following provisions:
(1) 
A temporary appointment for one to three months may be made without referring to the eligible list.
(2) 
A temporary appointment for three to six months may be made by selection of any candidate on the eligible list.
(3) 
A temporary appointment for more than six months may be made if the candidate is among the top three candidates and is willing to accept a temporary position, or if a current eligible list does not exist for that particular position.
A. 
Examinations. In accordance with Civil Service Law, in the event that there is a vacancy in a new or existing position in the competitive class which the Town intends to maintain, the Town will fill the vacancy by examination. The Ulster County Personnel Office will test and rank each candidate according to the individual's performance on the examination. The Town will select one of the top three available candidates on the list to fill the position (this is referred to as the "rule of three").
B. 
Promotions. The Town will offer opportunities for advancement for those employees who qualify. In the event that the position is in the competitive class, a qualified employee must normally take a promotional examination and the above rule of three will apply. An employee who wants to be promoted should become knowledgeable about the employee's present position and be aware of higher level positions for which the employee may be qualified.
An employee who is a veteran may be eligible to apply for veteran's credits on a civil service examination. Veteran's credits may be added to a passing score, but may be used only once for appointment purposes. An employee who is a veteran should contact the Ulster County Personnel Office for details concerning these credits.