Archive: Business & Technology

A staff work team of the Tompkins County Personnel Department has received a state organization’s highest award for its development of the County’s online employment application system.

At its annual dinner June 4, the New York State Association of Personnel and Civil Service Officers (NYSAP&CSO) bestowed the 2013 NYSAP&CSO Merit & Fitness Award for Contributions in Support of the NYS Constitution, the Civil Service Law and the Association on the members of the Tompkins County Online Application Team.  This team consists of Jackie Thomas (Team Leader), Heather Buck, Doreen Lauper, Anna Smith, and Stephen Estes.  Each participant was presented with a plaque in recognition of the accomplishment.  The project had been submitted to the State Association judges, who compared the project to a number of others throughout New York State.



This group of County employees worked as a team to define an online application system designed to post exams/vacancies; enable candidates to apply electronically; administer the civil service examination process; manage eligible lists; certify eligible lists; as well as to enable the various county departments, towns, villages, school districts and special districts to access approved applications remotely, in real time, through a cloud-based online application system.

The new software tripled the number of applications, eliminated the problem of appointing authorities hiring someone before the application is approved, provides greater transparency and accessibility to local government employment opportunities by job seekers, and contributes to a paperless, sustainable initiative that reduces printing, postage and processing costs. 

This is the second recognition of this group’s efforts to create an online system which serves the public and employers of this civil service jurisdiction.  In December of 2011, shortly after the program was implemented, Tompkins County Personnel received a Sign of Sustainability award from Sustainable Tompkins recognizing the many environmental advantages of a paperless application process.

“This team effort is an excellent example of the commitment, quality and customer service you can expect from Tompkins County employees,” notes Deputy Commissioner of Personnel Stephen Estes.  “Through a Smart Work initiative, and in partnership with the Information Technology Services Department staff, the team was able to create a vision, analyze the process, locate needed resources, provide guidance and expertise and bring the project to fruition.  Congratulations, team, on your achievement.”

v9i22