Youngstown to hire using evaluation system

YOUNGSTOWN — For the first time, Youngstown will hire a civil service employee without giving a written test.

Instead the city will use an evaluation system based on qualifications, education and experience.

The civil service commission adopted the policy to be used for some technical jobs and will use it on a case-by-case basis, said Jennifer Labatte, the commission’s administrator.

“We’ll use this new system for positions that are difficult to fill using a written test,” she said. “Each will be decided individually.”

The commission recently adopted a policy developed by Cleveland that establishes minimum criteria for anyone applying for certain jobs and then gives them points for various levels of education and experience and for holding professional licenses, Labatte said.

The first job to be filled under the new system is the assistant commissioner of engineering in the city’s public works department.

Because of the complexity and uniqueness of this public works department job, more than a written test is needed, said Labatte and Carmen Conglose Jr., the public works’ deputy director.

Also, it would be difficult to create a written test for this position, they said. The job has been vacant for about a decade, Conglose said.

This system won’t be used for positions such as police officers, firefighters, street and water department workers, Labatte said.

Only applicants meeting minimum requirements of the jobs under the new system would be considered, she said.

For complete story, see Monday's Vindicator or www.vindy.com.