Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Finding Employment with the City of New York

How do I get a job?

About 85 percent of municipal positions require candidates to take and pass a civil service examination to be eligible for appointment. Candidates for City employment must also undergo a character investigation. Depending on the position, candidates may have to pass additional examinations, i.e. medical, physical, psychological.

How do I obtain information on tests, job requirements, and the application process?

When an examination for a position is announced, the Department of Citywide Administrative Service publishes a Notice of Examination. The notice gives information about the test, the qualifications needed for the position, and a description of the duties, and generally, the City agencies that will be hiring candidates for the position.

Notices of Examination and applications are available by visiting the Department of Citywide Administrative Services' Application Center (Manhattan), Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm:

NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services/ Division of Citywide Personnel Services
Application Center (Manhattan)
2 Lafayette Street

Travel Directions to Lower Manhattan:

4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge
J, M, Z to Chambers Street
R, W to City Hall (approximately 3 blocks away)
A, C to Chambers Street (approx. 4 blocks away)
1, 2, 3 to Chambers Street (approx. 5 blocks away)

You may also request applications for exams currently open for filing by mail. Written requests for applications must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and be addressed to:

DCAS
Application Unit
1 Centre Street, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10007

Note: You must specify the examination title and number you are requesting.

Examination information is also available in Exams for Jobs a semi-annual publication of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. Exams for Jobs provides tentative filing periods for examinations, requirements for specific job titles and projected test dates. The same Open Competitive and Promotional examination information is also featured on-line. See City Employment Information

To contact the Department of Citywide Administrative Services' Division of Citywide Personnel Services by phone, call:
(212) 669--1357

Step-by-Step Guide to the Civil Service Examination Process

1. Identity the civil service examinations for which you may qualify.
a) Refer to the sources of information for scheduled examinations:

• Visit the Department of Citywide Administrative Services' Application Center (Manhattan).
• Access the DCAS Home Page on NYC.gov.
• Cable Subscribers may view a listing of upcoming civil service exams and City government job openings on the Crosswalks New Americans' Bulletin Board (Channel 73).
• Refer to the "Exams for Jobs" booklet.

b) Read the job description, examples of tasks and minimum requirements for the position carefully.

c) Take note of the filing period and the deadline for application.

2. Obtain and fill out application forms. a) Get application forms by visiting the Department of Citywide Administrative Services' Application Center, 2 Lafayette Street (Manhattan). Written requests should be sent after the application period has begun, and one week prior to last day of filing to: DCAS, Application Unit, 1 Centre Street, 14th floor, New York NY 10007. Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope and specify the exam for which you are applying. b) Fill out an application form and submit it by mail to the Application Unit at the above address. Application fees must be paid by money order payable to DCAS (EXAMS). Indicate your name, social security number and the number of the exam for which you are applying on the money order. Individuals receiving public assistance may have the fee waived by submitting a clear copy of their Benefit Identification Card (formerly known as the Medicaid card) and indicating their social security number and the number of the exam for which they are applying, along with the application.

3. Carefully prepare for the test. Preparation materials for some tests are available at bookstores and libraries.

4. Check your mail for pertinent exam information (e.g, date, time, place).

Civil Service employment information is also available on Crosswalks, the cable television network of the City of New York.

Cable Subscribers may view a listing of upcoming civil service exams and City government job openings on the Crosswalks New Americans' Bulletin Board (Channel 73).

A Video Guide to...

• Civil service examination schedules
• Job listings
• Information about the civil service process
• Employment tips

on Channel 73 (The Opportunity Channel)

Please Note: The current schedule of civil service examinations reflects the City's effort to maintain a smaller workforce. However, examinations scheduled include specialized job titles where the need for skilled personnel cannot be met within the City's current workforce. In addition, civil service lists established from these examinations will be available to fill future vacancies - from one to four years after they are established.